Chapter 448: First Love

The two sat in the car, waiting for nightfall. Darkness would facilitate their associates' theft of the ring.

After returning home, Cecilia casually placed the gift bag on the table and went to Martha's room to let her rest. Martha's spirits had improved significantly after the specialist's treatment; with continued progress, she could live several more years.

Unaware, someone had already entered the house. Soon, the box containing the ring was brought to Nathaniel.

Mason opened it. "This cheap? It couldn't be a gift from Mr. Nicholas, could it?" he remarked, judging its apparent inexpensive nature. Nathaniel shared his skepticism.

"Is there anything else?" Nathaniel asked.

Upon closer inspection, Mason discovered an inscription inside the ring: CS&NR. "It seems like an abbreviation—CS, NR. Aren't those your initials and Mrs. Rainsworth's? Mr. Rainsworth, could this be a surprise from Mrs. Rainsworth?" Mason asked, smiling. "Although inexpensive, it's thoughtful. Look at these crooked letters—hand-carved… I've always said Mrs. Rainsworth is fond of you. She pretends otherwise, but she cares deeply. My girlfriend's never even given me a handmade gift," Mason continued, oblivious to Nathaniel's darkening expression. Mason remained unaware that Nicholas had given the ring to Cecilia, as Nathaniel hadn't shown him the earlier video.

Nathaniel held the ring, pondering. He concluded that Cecilia had given it to Nicholas, mistakenly believing his name was Nathaniel.

"Shall I help you put it on, Mr. Rainsworth? Mrs. Rainsworth will be delighted," Mason offered.

"Enough," Nathaniel interrupted sharply. "You may leave."

Mason, bewildered, was unsure what had upset Nathaniel.

"All right," he replied.

He eagerly anticipated returning to his partner.

After Mason left, Nathaniel clutched the ring tightly. The phone rang; it was Nicholas.

"Nathaniel, did you see my gift? It's the ring Ceci gave me—a proposal ring. We were each other's first love." Nicholas, understanding Nathaniel's curiosity, knew he'd examine the gift bag's contents.

The words "proposal ring, first love" registered in Nathaniel's mind. If he could see, he would likely have confronted his brother.

Nicholas, sensing Nathaniel's silence, continued, "Nathaniel, didn't you also have a first love? You wouldn't mind our past, would you?"

Could Stella truly be considered his first love? They'd never even held hands.

"Your tricks won't work on me. Ceci has already thrown the ring away," Nathaniel declared, hanging up.

He weighed his options: keeping the ring, or discarding it. Discarding it would enrage Cecilia; keeping it caused him discomfort.

Finally, remembering Cecilia's tears, he gently returned the ring to its box, resolving to return it later.

Upon his return, Cecilia descended the stairs. Seeing him with the gift, silence fell. Nathaniel froze, overwhelmed, having returned impulsively and unexpectedly encountering Cecilia.