Chapter 540: A Realization

“I’ve never heard him say he regained his memory. I asked him just a few days ago, and he said he hadn’t,” Cecilia murmured, more to herself than to Nicholas. She was pregnant, and couldn't afford to be overly emotional. Taking deep breaths, she forced herself to calm down. It’s all right. Isn’t it just another deception? It’s okay. Don’t be angry. Don’t be sad. It’s all right. This is even better. Now, I can finally break free from him. These reassurances echoed silently within her heart.

Nicholas noticed her distress. Gently grasping her hand, he said, “It’s okay. You still have me.”

Cecilia recoiled, staring at his hand before withdrawing it. Nathaniel had made a mistake; she wouldn't repeat it. “Nicholas, you are Cassandra’s fiancé,” she reminded him.

His hand stiffened, surprise fleeting across his face. Then, gently, he said, “You’ve misunderstood. I meant I’ll stand by you. We’re still friends, aren’t we? Don’t worry. Nathaniel was wrong. I won’t take his side.”

Relief washed over Cecilia. Glancing at the car clock, she saw it was already one in the morning. “Let’s head back,” she said.

“All right.”

Nicholas drove Cecilia home first. Throughout the journey, his gaze occasionally flicked towards her, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. No matter what, I must win Cecilia back. Nathaniel, don’t blame me. You’re the one who insists on taking what’s mine.

They arrived at Daltonia Villa. Cecilia thanked Nicholas. “Let me borrow the car. I’ll return it tomorrow.”

“All right.”

Cecilia returned to the mansion alone. She immediately called Mason. “Mr. Sanders, there’s no need to search anymore.”

Puzzled, Mason waited for her explanation. “Nathaniel and Stella are at a hotel together.”

“How is that possible? Mrs. Rainsworth, there’s no way Mr. Rainsworth could be with Stella,” Mason protested.

As an outsider, Mason was certain of it. He'd never seen Nathaniel risk so much for a woman. Even practically blind, he'd stayed by Cecilia's side. This was the first time Mason had witnessed Nathaniel feigning amnesia to keep her close.

“Nathaniel has regained his memory, hasn’t he?” Cecilia asked.

Mason, assuming she was guessing, replied, “No. Who told you that?”

Cecilia knew he wouldn’t tell her the truth. “Forget about it.”

What? Forget about it? Mason knew that from a pregnant woman, those three words meant anything but forgetfulness. He understood the hormonal shifts affecting her mood.

“Mrs. Rainsworth, please let me explain. Mr. Rainsworth has regained his memory, but he’s pretending to have amnesia because he’s afraid you might leave him again. He’s pretending to be poor, also because of you. He’s afraid of a divorce.” Mason blurted out the truth, influenced by his girlfriend's advice on sincerity.

Cecilia hung up. Mason stared at the disconnected call, overwhelmed with emotion. Who on earth spilled the beans? How did Mrs. Rainsworth come to the conclusion that Mr. Rainsworth and Stella were together?

He immediately instructed his subordinates to investigate the banquet attendees, eventually finding Stella. Following her movements, he gained a starting point.

When Cecilia arrived home, Elliot was still awake.

“Mommy, have you found Mr. Rainsworth yet?”

“Yes. Mr. Rainsworth will be back tomorrow,” she replied.

“Where on earth did Mr. Rainsworth go? He’s not even answering his phone. He’s never been out this late before,” Elliot said.

That sentence sparked a realization in Cecilia.