Chapter 6: Traditional Medicine

Cecilia hadn't called or texted an apology all day. "I want to see how long you can hold out!" Nathaniel tossed his phone aside, stood and went to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, he was startled. Besides food, various traditional medicines were piled inside. He picked up a packet; the label read: "Five packets a day, for infertility." Infertility… The pungent herbal aroma was familiar. He remembered the scent clinging to Cecilia. He scoffed; they'd never been intimate. No amount of medicine could make her pregnant. He tossed the packet back in. He'd figured out Cecilia's tantrum, and felt a sudden lightness. He returned to the bedroom to rest. Without Cecilia, he could come and go as he pleased. Nathaniel slept soundly.

He planned a golf game with Zachary that morning. He changed into sportswear and went to the living room. Out of habit, he started to tell Cecilia he wouldn't be back. "Today…" he began, then stopped. There was no need.

At the golf course, Nathaniel was in high spirits. His white sportswear softened his usually cold, handsome features. He looked like a movie star. He sank a shot. Zachary exclaimed, "Nathaniel, you're on fire! Good news?" Zachary knew about the impending divorce, wanting to hear it from Nathaniel before calling Stella, who waited nearby. Nathaniel took a sip of water. "Nothing much, just getting ready for a divorce with Cecilia."

Zachary was surprised. Knowing Cecilia, he found it odd the divorce hadn't happened sooner. "Has she agreed?" he asked. Nathaniel's eyes darkened. "She brought it up."

Zachary sneered. "She's playing hard to get. I've seen this before." He grinned. "Nathaniel, I've got a surprise for you."

Nathaniel looked puzzled. Zachary messaged Stella. Soon, Nathaniel saw her in the distance, in a stylish pink athletic outfit, waving. Zachary excused himself. "I'll leave you two. Don't want to be a third wheel."

Stella suggested a walk. Nearby was their old university. Knowing how to appeal to men, she avoided mentioning Cecilia, instead reminiscing about their past. "Nathaniel, remember this path? We used to walk here. You'd hold my hand, say we'd walk it forever." She stopped, extending her hand. "Nathaniel, will you hold my hand and walk with me?" He instinctively pulled away. Stella was stunned. Nathaniel's expression was indifferent. "I don't remember anything from the past."

For Nathaniel, studying, love, marriage, work—they were life milestones, no different from completing tasks. Even his first love held no special significance. Tears welled in Stella's eyes. "Are you still angry? I had no choice. I didn't want to leave you. I love you. I love you so much. I survived those years on memories of us. I wanted to be worthy of you."

Nathaniel frowned. "I'm already married."

Stella interrupted, "I know. She wants a divorce. I'll be grateful to her for giving you back to me." Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him. "Do you know how much I hate Cecilia? If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have been apart so long."

Stella seemed to have forgotten she'd broken up with Nathaniel first. His mind conjured Cecilia's gentle face, remembering her grief after her father's death. "Nathaniel, can you hold me?" she'd asked. Her brother had seized the money Nathaniel had given the Smith family. He'd walked past her, offering no comfort. The image of her sorrow lingered. He unconsciously pulled away from Stella. She was about to speak when Zachary hurried over, making her wipe away her tears. Noticing something was amiss, Zachary handed Nathaniel some documents. "Nathaniel, take a look."

It was a property transfer agreement. Zachary explained, "Cecilia's lawyer sent this. Compensation for your three years of marriage."

Compensation? Zachary had thought Cecilia was demanding compensation. But the agreement showed Cecilia transferring assets to Nathaniel. He saw the final amount: one hundred million. He scoffed. "One hundred million? She thinks that's enough for me to let go of the Smith family? To forgive her?"

Zachary laughed, realizing the truth. "Little deaf has always played innocent. She's been hiding one hundred million. Do her brother and mother know?" Stella watched them ridicule Cecilia. She'd feared Nathaniel might have feelings for Cecilia, but her fears were unfounded. It didn't matter how long they'd been married; Nathaniel wouldn't fall for someone like Cecilia.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit motel room, Cecilia slowly opened her eyes, her head throbbing. The silence was deafening. She knew her condition was worsening.