Chapter 556 Car Window

She was already having trouble sleeping, and Nathaniel's presence in bed only heightened her wakefulness. She shifted away. Suddenly, someone grasped her hand. Instinctively, Cecilia pretended to sleep, settling down and closing her eyes. Nathaniel gently held her hand, caressing it softly.

Cecilia kept her eyes closed for a while, realizing he couldn't see them. Even if she opened them, he wouldn't know. Slowly, she opened her eyes to meet Nathaniel's stern, cold profile. She hadn't noticed him sit up. One hand held hers; the other gently caressed her head. After briefly touching her forehead, he lowered his head. Cecilia subconsciously closed her eyes as a feather-light kiss brushed her forehead. Her heart quickened.

Nathaniel did nothing more, simply lying back and gently pulling her closer. Perhaps wary of her facial wound, he didn't hold her as tightly as before. Initially, Cecilia attributed his changed demeanor to amnesia. Now, she wasn't so sure.

After some time, Cecilia finally fell asleep, but her sleep was restless, punctuated by a sudden jolt.

"Jon…"

Nathaniel, not deeply asleep, patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. Jon is alright now." Reassured, Cecilia drifted back to sleep. That night, her sleep remained light; she found herself grasping Nathaniel's hand.

"Nathaniel."

"Yes? I'm here," he responded softly.

The scene felt familiar, reminding her of the time Stella's boyfriend had hurt her—the same words he'd spoken then. Holding Nathaniel's hand, she noticed uneven scars on his back and asked, "Why do you have scars on your hand?" She'd noticed them when he played the zither but hadn't asked.

Nathaniel didn't explain directly, simply saying, "It's from getting scratched by the car window glass."

Car window? Cecilia grew suspicious. She recalled Calvin taking her from the car to the hospital; Nathaniel had appeared later. As she was about to question him, Nathaniel said, "Go to sleep."

"Alright."

Exhausted, Cecilia fell asleep again. When she awoke, it was ten in the morning, and Nathaniel was gone. Downstairs, Elliot had prepared breakfast.

"Mommy, come down for breakfast quickly."

"Alright."

Cecilia went downstairs, puzzled by Nathaniel's absence. "Eli, where's Mr. Rainsworth?"

Elliot seemed upset by her immediate inquiry. "I don't know. Mommy, you should eat more. It will help your wound heal faster."

"Sure. Thanks, sweetie."

After breakfast, Cecilia received a message from Eric. He was returning to the country in a few days to pursue his career and needed a song—a charity song emphasizing familial love. Cecilia readily agreed and became engrossed in composing, drawing inspiration from Martha's love for her and her love for her children—the child receiving love and the mother giving it.