Chapter 584: No Regrets

Cecilia remained silent, guarding Elliot's bedside, her hand clasped tightly in his. Terrified of losing her child, she offered no response to Nathaniel's dwindling patience.

"Come with me," he said.

Cecilia looked up, acknowledging the confrontation that awaited. She followed him from the hospital room into the inky blackness of the night.

"Is there nothing you wish to say?" Nathaniel asked.

Cecilia lowered her head. "You already know everything."

A cold laugh escaped Nathaniel. His hands clenched, the crack of his knuckles echoing in the stillness. "You took my sons for five years. You deceived me upon your return, claiming they were someone else's children. And this is all you have to say?"

Cecilia felt no remorse for her past decision. Tears welled, and she retorted, "If I hadn't left after becoming pregnant, would you have let me keep them?"

"So, it's my fault?" Nathaniel's furious laugh filled the night. "What makes you think I wouldn't have let you keep them?"

She regretted not recording his past cruelty. Silence descended again—a silence Nathaniel, blinded by the world, now dreaded above all else. He loathed her current treatment of him even more.

He grasped her arm, his grip tightening. "Tell me, if I hadn't found you abroad last year, were you planning to leave again, taking the unborn twins?"

Jonathan and Elliot were the result of his forcing himself upon her; these twins, however, were conceived by mutual agreement. Cecilia felt guilty, owing him an apology.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. Were you?"

Nathaniel couldn't believe the ruthlessness before him. Five years—five years he'd missed his children's formative years. And now, pregnant again, she planned to take them away.

Cecilia, abandoning pretense, nodded. "Yes, I intended to leave with them."

Nathaniel's grip tightened involuntarily. Cecilia winced, the pain sharp. "I'm sorry," she repeated.

"Why?" Nathaniel's eyes were bloodshot. "Why leave, only to return? Why carry my children again?"

Cecilia bit her lip. "Eli has leukemia. The doctor said a sibling's cord blood is needed."

"So, you returned only to get a sibling for Eli?" He'd believed her earlier claim of returning because she couldn't bear to be apart from him.

Cecilia admitted, "Yes. It was the only way to save him."

Nathaniel was speechless. "Did you get my consent?" He couldn't see her face, so he reached out, his hand resting on her cheek.

Cecilia recoiled, fearing a blow. Sensing her movement, Nathaniel's heart shuddered. Did she think I would hit her? He had never struck her, even when he didn't love her.

"Are you scared?"

Cecilia saw the cold, domineering Nathaniel of old resurface. Her throat ached. "Please, let me keep these children. I won't interfere with your life. I beg you!"

He gently caressed her face, realizing only then that she was crying as cold wetness touched his fingertips.