Chapter 273: Trouble at the Company

Nathaniel's heart plummeted; panic seized him. He pushed through the crowd, urgently searching for Cecilia. Relief washed over him only when he spotted her at the checkout counter.

After paying, Cecilia returned home to cook and rest. Pregnancy demanded careful attention to her health and the baby's.

Later, after composing sheet music, she relaxed in her recliner, listening to music and reading. Gently placing her hand on her stomach, she murmured, "Darling, grow up quickly."

Suddenly, her phone rang. An unfamiliar text message contained a disturbingly graphic image. Her hand trembled, almost dropping the phone. Dismissing it as a prank, she deleted the message.

That evening, a soft rustling outside awakened her. A light sleeper, she went to the living room. "Who's there?" she called. "Nathaniel, is that you?" She had changed the locks and assumed it was him, unsuccessfully trying to enter. But the sounds ceased when she spoke. Peering through the peephole revealed nothing.

Fear gripped her. Returning to her bedroom, she barricaded the door. Lying in bed, the disturbing image from the text message lingered. With her hearing aid broken and her communication device with Sven being repaired, she called him.

"Sven," she whispered.

"I'm here."

"Are you asleep? Can you come to my place?"

"All right," Sven replied, immediately leaving his car.

As Sven approached her apartment, he didn't notice a man slipping into the shadows.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel, her next-door neighbor, heard the commotion. He vaguely heard her call his name. Remembering his offer of assistance, he assumed she needed help and quickly changed clothes. Glancing in the mirror, he set out to find her.

Sven arrived first. Cecilia recounted the disturbing text message and the unsettling sounds at her door.

"I'll check outside," Sven said, just as a knock sounded.

Sven moved to the door, prepared for anything. Opening it, he found Nathaniel in a dark bathrobe. Nathaniel's eyes narrowed at the sight of a stranger in Cecilia's apartment.

Recognizing Nathaniel, Sven lowered his fist, suppressing his hostility. He turned to Cecilia. "Ms. Smith?"

Cecilia was surprised. Suspecting Nathaniel of the earlier prank, she said, "Sorry for the trouble, Sven. Everything's fine now. You should rest." Sven bowed respectfully, glanced at Nathaniel, and left.

Nathaniel slammed the door shut. "Who was he?" he demanded.

"It has nothing to do with you."

Nathaniel's patience snapped. "Come back to Tudela with me tomorrow," he ordered.

Cecilia's eyes widened. "I'm not going back."

"You don't have a choice!" Nathaniel declared, striding toward her, casually unbelting his bathrobe and discarding it.

Startled, Cecilia turned away. "What are you doing?"

Nathaniel embraced her from behind. "Weren't you calling for me because you needed something?"

Cecilia's body tensed. Her face flushed. "I never called for you!" she insisted, struggling to free herself.

But Nathaniel held her tighter, lifting her into his arms. He whispered, "Do you have any idea how long I've been holding back?"