Chapter 335: Set Her Free

Nathaniel stood by the door, listening to the commotion outside. His expression remained unchanged, but his ears burned. His bodyguards shook their heads at his unspoken question about the women being introduced.

Martha lived in a remote part of Sparaville. Locals knew Cecilia had once been Nathaniel's wife, but rumors of her death circulated after a later incident. They later realized this was a misunderstanding. Five years prior, Nathaniel and his associates had taken several neighbors for questioning, leading the community to believe Martha had offended someone important. They avoided her afterward. Consequently, when Nathaniel previously inquired about Cecilia and Martha, they didn't recognize him.

Now, everyone stole glances at Martha and Cecilia's blind husband. Initially, pity for Cecilia's situation prevailed. However, upon seeing Nathaniel, their admiration for Cecilia shifted; she had chosen such a handsome husband. His blindness, they reasoned, was a blessing, preventing infidelity.

Returning to the room, Nathaniel replayed Martha calling him "son-in-law," his ears still flushed. Martha found it unbelievable that such a powerful businessman could be berated by a shrewish woman; she didn't know she'd prevented that woman's demise.

"I've sent someone to hire a new caregiver," Nathaniel said solemnly.

"Okay," Martha replied, her energy depleted from her outburst. Suppressing her aches, she added, "Don't think I've forgiven you for helping me. You're still Ceci's husband. I just couldn't bear to see outsiders bully you."

Nathaniel grasped her meaning. Mason, his employee, had recounted his history with Cecilia, omitting Nathaniel's failings. Nathaniel remained unaware of his past actions. Mason only detailed his pursuit of Cecilia, including purchasing the Smith residence and Regas' belongings, and rebuilding Smith Corporation.

"Martha, why do you dislike me so much? What did I do?" Nathaniel asked.

Martha finally revealed his past neglect of Cecilia. "Cecilia didn't know what Paula and Magnus did. She endured the shame of a fraudulent marriage, enduring your bullying in silence. She even swallowed a bottle of pills to escape Paula. Yet you thought she married an older man for the money. The doctor said there's no painless death—ironic, given Cecilia's fear of pain."

Nathaniel realized his memories were romanticized, remembering only youthful love, not his treatment of Cecilia. A searing headache gripped him, as if repressed memories threatened to surface.

Martha continued, oblivious to his distress. "I lived alone. Every visit, Cecilia spoke of how wonderful you were. But we both knew you weren't. You weren't suitable for her."

Looking at Nathaniel, she said, "Now you know. I'm dying, so I won't lie. Please, set Cecilia free. Calvin is a good man. Abroad, he cared for us. With him, she'll be happy."