Chapter 292: Who Is the Father?

Outside, the wild wind howled, and a snow-laden tree bowed before the window. The nurse brought Cecilia dinner, but she ate only a few bites, losing her appetite. Elena entered the room silently, walking to the window and drawing the curtains. Compared to her usual radiance, she appeared haggard and deathly pale.

A heavy silence descended. Elena turned to Cecilia, bluntly asking, “The child you’re carrying is Nathaniel’s, isn’t it?”

Cecilia instinctively lied, “No.”

Elena’s eyes narrowed. Maintaining a forced calm, she said, “There’s no need to lie. I know you spent your entire pregnancy with Nathaniel.”

“Did you stay up watching over us at night, too?” Cecilia retorted.

Elena was speechless. Nathaniel remained unconscious, and Cecilia had denied the child’s Rainsworth lineage. The thought that the Rainsworth family might lose everything was unacceptable.

Softening her tone, Elena approached Cecilia’s bed. “Ceci, I know I’ve been harsh, but lying about this is unforgivable. Whether this child is a Rainsworth is not solely your decision.”

Cecilia knew Elena’s fierce independence and control. She understood that confessing would mean relinquishing her child.

“I’ve made myself clear, Madam Elena. If you doubt me, ask your son.”

Elena’s expression tightened. Mentioning Nathaniel brought tears to her eyes.

“You dare mention Nathaniel? He’s in ICU because he saved you! The doctors said glass pierced his eyes—he’s blind!”

Cecilia stared, incredulous. “What?”

“The doctor said even if he wakes, he’ll be blind!” Elena clenched her fists. “My son… ruined.”

Cecilia couldn’t imagine Nathaniel, born into privilege, blinded. How would such a proud man cope? She’d always known why Nathaniel disliked her: their deceptive marriage and her hearing impairment. Her easygoing nature often made her the target of ridicule among elite families. Nathaniel’s greatest fear had been accompanying her to banquets. Now, his sight was gone.

Seeing a flicker of compassion in Cecilia’s eyes, Elena said, “Cecilia, Nathaniel confessed you saved me. I investigated; I was wrong, mistaking you for someone else. I apologize. He saved you—consider it atonement. But don’t be ungrateful!” Elena stared intently, questioning each word: “Now, tell me, who is the father of your child?”

Elena had decided: if Cecilia admitted Nathaniel’s paternity, she would raise the child and secure its place as Nathaniel’s heir.

Cecilia was about to reveal the truth when frantic knocking came at the door. Elena opened it to an approaching nurse announcing, “Madam Elena, Mr. Rainsworth has regained consciousness.”