Chapter 487: Preoccupied in Bed

When Cecilia awoke, she found herself nestled in Nathaniel's arms. She glanced around, noticing Elliot was absent. Confusion clouded her eyes. Nathaniel stirred at her slight movement, pulling her closer.

"You're awake?" he murmured.

"Where's Eli?" Cecilia asked.

"I moved him to the guest room last night; the space felt cramped," Nathaniel replied calmly.

Cecilia stared at the expansive bed—clearly more than two meters wide. How could he have considered it small? She started to rise, but Nathaniel's arm tightened around her waist. "Let's sleep a little longer," he mumbled, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Clad in thin nightwear, they were so close their bodies radiated warmth. "No, I can't sleep," she said, attempting to free herself. Nathaniel gently took her hand.

"Listen to me," he said, leaning close and whispering in her ear. His voice, combined with his breath on her ear, sent a shiver down her spine.

She lifted her head. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Nathaniel's face in a golden light. Cecilia's gaze lingered on his lips, finding their proximity almost unbelievable. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, his hand gently caressing hers.

"Ceci, I don't feel well," he said.

"Where?" she asked, startled.

Nathaniel gently pulled her hand downward. Cecilia's face flushed crimson. "You—" she began, but the ringing of the bedside phone interrupted her.

The caller ID showed Elena. Cecilia hesitated, but considering her renewed relationship with Nathaniel, she answered.

"It's New Year's tomorrow; you and Nathaniel should come over today," Elena said.

"We're spending New Year's at Daltonia Villa; we won't be returning this year," Cecilia replied, having already made plans with Nathaniel. She intended for their new beginning to involve mutual respect and agreement, like any married couple.

Elena, already angered by Cassandra's comments the previous day, was infuriated by Cecilia's refusal. "Was I asking for your opinion?" she snapped. Before she could continue her reprimand, Nathaniel's voice cut through the phone. "This isn't a request for our opinion," he said firmly. "We're informing you that we won't be coming home for the New Year." He then hung up.

Cecilia felt a surge of warmth at his defense. Nathaniel replaced the phone on the table and embraced her again. "From now on, if you don't want to do something, tell me. I'll handle it."

Leaning against him, Cecilia murmured, "Mhm."

"Shall we go back to sleep?" Nathaniel asked gently.

Cecilia was still adjusting to their intimacy when Elliot woke and began knocking energetically on the door. "Mommy, Mommy, are you okay?"

Mason, arriving early that morning, found a small boy strikingly resembling his boss knocking on the door. He went upstairs.

"Hey, brat, don't interrupt Mr. and Mrs. Rainsworth. They might be… preoccupied!" he said, assuming Elliot was related to Nathaniel, based solely on appearance. He had arranged a paternity test, revealing Elliot was not related to Nathaniel at all.

Elliot looked at Mason with displeasure. "What could Mommy and Daddy possibly be preoccupied with?"

Mason, unsure how to explain adult intimacy to a child, finally said, with a rigid expression, "They're preoccupied with… creating siblings for you."