Chapter 480: Are You Abandoning Me Once More?

After paying their respects to Martha, Vivian and Jonathan returned with Cecilia. Nicholas’s car was spacious; even with four passengers, ample room remained. Vivian had ridden in many luxury cars, especially since befriending Jonathan. However, this was her first experience in a vehicle equipped with medical devices and a doctor, seemingly prepared for immediate treatment.

Nicholas dropped them at the house's front door. After saying goodbye to Cecilia, he instructed the driver to return home. Standing beside Cecilia, Vivian asked, "Where's Nathaniel?"

"I asked him to return with Eli first," Cecilia replied.

"Woah, woah," Vivian exclaimed, noticing Cecilia's damp clothing. "He just left like that, without even staying with you or offering an umbrella?" As Cecilia's best friend, Vivian naturally hoped she would find a kind and considerate partner.

"I wanted some peace and quiet," Cecilia said. "Let's go inside; it's cold. You and Jon can't catch a cold."

"Sure, okay," Vivian agreed, leading Jonathan and Cecilia into the house.

Inside, the warmth was a welcome contrast to the chill outside. Nathaniel and Elliot, aided by the chef, had prepared a feast of Cecilia's favorite dishes. However, Elliot seemed surprised by Vivian and Jonathan's arrival.

"Ms. Kennedy, Jon, how come you're here?" he asked.

"We're late," Vivian said brightly. "If it's alright, may we join you for a meal?" Her arrival noticeably brightened the atmosphere.

"Of course," Elliot replied.

Vivian joined the two boys in the kitchen to help. Cecilia, however, gazed into the empty dining room, feeling a lack of appetite. Nathaniel approached.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently. He lacked Nicholas's effortless charm and comforting words.

"Yeah," Cecilia nodded. "You all must be hungry. Go ahead and eat. I'm not hungry."

"You should eat something, even if you're not hungry," Nathaniel insisted, deeply concerned about her health, especially since she hadn't eaten since Martha's passing.

"But…" Cecilia began.

"There are no buts," Nathaniel interrupted. "Don't forget, you're pregnant."

Cecilia's hand instinctively went to her lower abdomen. She had almost forgotten she was carrying a child.

"Okay, I'll eat," she conceded, though she ate only mechanically during the meal.

With George and Roland now convinced Jonathan was their descendant, Vivian felt it best he not stay overnight. Cecilia, also worried her mood might affect Jonathan, watched them leave. The house felt even emptier after their departure. Cecilia avoided Martha's room, clinging to the illusion that Martha would remain if she didn't enter.

That night, after Elliot slept, Nathaniel sat beside Cecilia, his expression pensive.

"Let's head back to Tudela tomorrow," he said.

Cecilia looked at him, confused.

"The medical facilities in Tudela are far superior to Sparaville's, and it will be more convenient for Eli's treatments," Nathaniel explained, omitting the truth—his concern that Cecilia couldn't move on if she remained. She had returned for Martha, to spend New Year's with her; now, with Martha gone, she had no reason to stay.

However, Cecilia didn't want to return with him.

"I don't want to return to Tudela, Nathaniel. I want to go abroad," she stated.

If Nathaniel still suffered from amnesia, he wouldn't understand. But his memory was restored; he understood her desire to go abroad as a rejection of their relationship. He chuckled wryly, tightening his grip on her hand.

"What now? Are you planning to divorce me again, or abandon me once more?"