Chapter 585: Cut Down on the Smoking

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m the one who should be crying!” Nathaniel endured the piercing pain in his heart, cradling her face. “Cecilia, you’re more ruthless than I am. Did you find satisfaction in taking my son and letting him call someone else ‘daddy’? Who orchestrated this? You carried our child and left without telling me, the father. Don’t I have a right to know?”

Cecilia was speechless.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, looking up at him. “I can make it up to you.”

“How?”

“How much do you want?”

“Is this something money can fix?” Nathaniel’s irritation intensified.

Cecilia was at a loss, standing frozen. The cold wind whipped around them, yet they seemed oblivious to the chill.

Their impasse shattered when Elliot awoke, clad in a hospital gown. “Mommy, Mr. Rainsworth, what are you guys doing outside?” He saw the tears on Cecilia’s face and, instantly alarmed, rushed over. “Mommy, why are you crying? Mr. Rainsworth, did you upset Mommy?”

He’d thought Nathaniel had changed, but apparently not. He balled his fists and punched Nathaniel’s thigh. “That’s for upsetting my mommy!”

Cecilia quickly wiped her tears. “Eli, Mr. Rainsworth didn’t upset me. Something got in my eye—”

Before she finished, Nathaniel lifted Elliot into his arms. “Mr. Rainsworth? I’m your daddy.”

Elliot was bewildered. How did he know?

“You’re lying. You’re not my daddy. My daddy is Calvin.”

Had Elliot not been ill, Nathaniel would have spanked him. Without explanation, he carried Elliot toward the ward.

“Watch out, you’re about to hit the wall, you bad mister!” Elliot fumed. He sensed something was wrong between Cecilia and Nathaniel. How did he find out I’m his son? Did Mommy tell him?

Cecilia, fearing Nathaniel would harm Elliot, anxiously followed. Fortunately, Nathaniel merely returned Elliot to bed. He instructed his bodyguard, “Without my permission, he’s not allowed to leave the ward. No one is allowed to visit him.”

Cecilia instantly grabbed his arm. “What do you mean? Am I not allowed to see Eli?”

“Haven’t you kept me from seeing the children?” Nathaniel turned, pulling away her hand, his face cold.

Cecilia stood frozen, stunned. She knew she was at fault. She hoped that in a few days, Nathaniel’s anger would subside, allowing her to approach him again.

Cecilia didn’t return to Daltonia Villa; she rented a caregiver’s room at the hospital. Nathaniel, after leaving the hospital, didn't go home either. He sat in his car, chain-smoking.

Mason, believing knowledge of the children's paternity would bring Nathaniel joy, was completely unprepared for the current situation. “Mr. Rainsworth, you should cut down on the smoking. It’s bad for your health, and Mrs. Rainsworth would be upset.” He thought mentioning Cecilia might deter Nathaniel. He hadn’t anticipated Nathaniel’s darkening expression.