Chapter 33: Her Return

Inside the first-class cabin, Cecilia gazed out at the white clouds, her mind drifting back four years. She had been disheartened, seeking Calvin's help to fake her death and flee the country. Abroad, she prematurely gave birth to twins. Things went smoothly until March, when her younger son, Elliot, already frail from his premature birth, was diagnosed with leukemia. The doctor explained that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, using umbilical cord blood, offered treatment.

For months, Cecilia had schemed to obtain Nathaniel's sperm, but failed. The sooner the transplant, the better. She had no choice but to return home. If not for Elliot, she would never have returned, never sought out Nathaniel again.

Before takeoff, Cecilia received a message from Vivian Kennedy, her best friend: "I'll be tied up, but once I'm back, we'll sort out Nathaniel together. We also need to teach that pretentious bitch Stella a lesson." They had met in university; their contact dwindled after Vivian went abroad for further studies and Cecilia married. Cecilia had encountered Vivian again four years ago in Erihal.

A sense of warmth filled Cecilia's heart. She replied, "Okay," then switched off her phone. Summer in Tudela always brought heavy rain.

Disembarking at seven in the evening, Cecilia felt a sense of dazed familiarity. A luxurious Lincoln pulled up. The driver respectfully opened the door. "Ms. Smith, please get in."

"Sorry for the trouble, thank you," Cecilia replied.

He smiled gently. "Ms. Smith, you're a friend of Mr. Reese. He's already arranged your accommodations."

Calvin, of course. Without his help four years prior, Cecilia wouldn't have known his "small business owner" claim was modest. His overseas business thrived; he had his fingers in many pies, enabling him to help her and the children evade Nathaniel's investigation.

Gazing at the passing scenery, Cecilia saw little change in Tudela, except for the ubiquitous Stella posters. Over four years, Stella had become a highly successful actress, her fame unrivaled. Cecilia looked away.

An hour later, the car stopped in Ninth Ville, a tranquil villa district, beautiful even at night. After arriving at her residence, Cecilia called Martha. "Martha, where's Jon?" She found it odd not to see Jonathan.

Martha smiled. "Reading in his room."

While other children struggled with the alphabet, Jonathan was exceptionally intelligent, fluent in Clusian and Uprian. He often spoke like an adult. Cecilia remembered Elena’s reminiscences about Nathaniel's similar childhood, nurtured meticulously as a prodigy from a young age.

Martha entered Jonathan's room, hearing him packing. "Grandma Martha, you forgot to knock. That's not polite," Jonathan said.

Martha was embarrassed. "Oh dear, my mind's a sieve. I'm sorry, Jon. Please don't be upset."

Jonathan, his amber eyes on Martha, said, "I won't." Then, taking the phone, he looked at Cecilia through the video call.