Chapter 21 Tattled On Her
+5 Pearls
Cecilia finally understood what Stella meant before she left. She had tattled on her.
Before she could respond, Nathaniel’s words followed swiftly. “The divorce is between the two of us. There’s no need for you to get into a fight with Stella. She’s still in the hospital.”
Cecilia was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood.
She really hadn’t expected that Stella would stoop so low as to frame her with such a cheap trick, and that Nathaniel actually believed her.
“Whether you believe it or not, I only met her once, and I didn’t do anything to her.”
With that, Cecilia hung up the phone..
At the hospital, Nathaniel’s face was grim.
Stella lay in the hospital bed, her forehead wrapped in bandages.
After meeting Cecilia, she deliberately bashed her own head and blamed it on Cecilia.
“I originally just wanted to talk to her properly, but I didn’t expect her to….
Stella didn’t finish her sentence but instead pulled out a stack of photos and handed them to Nathaniel.
These were pictures she had deliberately arranged for someone to take after she found out Cecilia was pregnant.
“I don’t want to keep covering for her either, Nathaniel. Please don’t get mad when you see the photos.”
Nathaniel took the photos, and when he saw what they depicted, his dark.
It was a whole stack of photos, all of them of Cecilia and Calvin.
eyes narrowed..
The nearly intimate nature of the pictures pushed Nathaniel to the brink of restraint.
Stella sat up in bed. “Luckily, I found these photos and bought them. If they were leaked, it would have been a disaster.”
Nathaniel, feeling deeply troubled, left the hospital and got into his matte black Cadillac.
He ordered Mason to transfer the necessary payment to Stella for the photos.
Then he said, “Find out where Cecilia is right now,”
“Yes.”
Mason immediately had someone look into it.
1/3
Chapter 21 Tattled On Her
Cecilia had spent the entire night plagued by nightmares.
+5 Pearls
In her dreams, Nathaniel and Stella got married, and the two of them lived a blissfully happy life together.
She had also dreamt of the past years,
After Nathaniel got angry, he left her behind and went on a business trip out of town.
No matter what she did, she just couldn’t find him.
Then, she dreamed that Nathaniel regretted everything. He told her he was sorry and suggested they reconcile.
In the dream, Cecilia didn’t hesitate at all and agreed.
Yet, not long after, Nathaniel abandoned her again and disappeared.
When Cecilia opened her eyes, she reached up and touched the corner of her eyes, where tears. were still clinging.
Dreams reflect waking thoughts. Cecilia never dared to hope that Nathaniel would regret anything, nor did she dare to think about whether she would even forgive him if he did.
Outside, the heavy rain continued to pour relentlessly.
After getting up and freshening up, Cecilia decided she didn’t want to wait any longer. She was just about to call Nathaniel and ask him to go to the City Hall together.
The door was knocked on.
She thought it was Calvin, so she walked over to open it.
Standing at the door was Mason, dressed in a standard suit with gold–rimmed glasses.
Mason was Nathaniel’s special assistant. With his skills, finding this place had been no trouble at all.
“Mr. Sanders, what brings you here?” Cecilia asked.
Mason glanced inside the house but saw no man present. He said politely but indifferently, “Ms. Smith, Mr. Rainsworth asked me to bring you back.”
Ms. Smith, huh? The same title, every day for three years.
Cecilia had long since gotten used to it. She lowered her eyelashes. “I’m not going back. Since you’re here, please help me contact Mr. Rainsworth and tell him to meet me today to handle the divorce.”
The cooling–off period wouldn’t exceed three months. It could be settled.
2/3
12:03 PM
Chapter 21 Tattled On Her
him herself only to endure more questioning.
Mason was momentarily stunned.
包
+5 Pearls
He knew about the divorce dispute between Cecilia and Nathaniel, but he hadn’t witnessed it in person.
After all, Cecilia used to cling to Nathaniel like an inseparable shadow, no matter how hard he tried to shake her off.
Mason furrowed his brow slightl
Chapter 22 Finalize Our Divorce Sooner
How was that “advice“? It was clearly “disciplining!”
In the past, from Nathaniel’s family down to Mason, the secretaries, and the servants at Rainsworth Manor, they all had the right to “discipline” Cecilia.
Cecilia had to keep a smile on her face and be grateful.
But now, she no longer wanted to wrong herself.
Cecilia clenched her hands tightly, which was hanging at her sides.
She looked at Mason again, her eyes filled with coldness. “What does his anger have to do with me?”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll excuse myself.”
Mason felt a shiver run down his spine under her icy gaze.
By the time he came to his senses, the door had already been shut..
This was the first time Mason had experienced having a door shut in his face.
In the past few years, he had always been the one ignoring Cecilia. Why did the tables turn now? Could it be that she really no longer wanted to please Mr. Rainsworth?
Cecilia knew that once Mason went back, he would definitely complain to Nathaniel.
Feeling exhausted, she sat on the couch, waiting for Nathaniel’s rebuke.
Just as she expected, Mason added fuel to fire when he reported them back to Nathaniel.
That day, the wind howled fiercely, causing the windows to rattle.
Cecilia curled up on the couch, feeling cold despite it being early summer.
She didn’t know how much time had passed before she finally heard the doorbell ring.
She slowly stood up and opened the door. She didn’t need to look to know who was standing. there.
The man’s tall and upright figure made her seem exceptionally petite in comparison.
Cecilia looked up, meeting Nathaniel’s dark eyes, as deep as an ancient well, and calmly spoke. “Did Mr. Sanders tell you?”
Nathaniel, with a face cold as ice, threw a stack of photos at Cecilia’s feet.
“I was originally going to leave you some dignity.”
1/3
12:03 PM
Chapter 22 Finalize Our Divorce Sooner
Cecilia froze for a moment.
+5 Pearls
She looked down and saw photo after photo of herself and Calvin scattered on the floor.
Aside from some ambiguously suggestive photos taken out of context, there wasn’t anything. inappropriate.
Before she could explain, Nathaniel continued, “I had thought that everything before was just a misunderstanding. I thought you were innocent, and I had even considered starting over with
you.”
Considered…
Cecilia’s ears buzzed, and her throat felt dry and bitter. When she spoke, her voice was hoarse.
“Really? Then I’m sorry to have let you down.”
They had been married for three
years.
She believed that she had been dutiful and committed, without any involvement with any man.
But in the end, she was still given such a disgraceful label.
Cecilia’s eyes grew moist, but she forced herself to suppress her feelings and looked calmly at. Nathaniel. “In that case, let’s finalize the divorce as soon as possible. I apologize for not showing up last time. This time, I won’t miss it.”
Nathaniel had expected her to explain!
Unexpectedly, she proposed a divorce once again.
In that moment, the fury he had been struggling to contain erupted. He moved closer to Cecilia, closing the distance between them.
“You’re that eager to be with him? Do you even know who he is? If it weren’t for me, Nathaniel Rainsworth, do you think any man would want you?”
“Cecilia was backed into the corner, listening to his cruel words in utter disbelief.
What did he mean, if it weren’t for him?
Nathaniel didn’t stop. His large hand landed on her frail shoulder.
She felt even thinner than before, nearly reduced to just bones.
His heart trembled, unable to comprehend why she had become so thin.
“Don’t touch me!”
The heat of his touch brought Cecilia back to her senses. Her eyes reddened as she tried to push Nathaniel away.
2/3
Chapter 22 Finalize Our Divorce Sooner
However, it was futile.
+5 Pearls
Even a healthy woman wouldn’t necessarily be a match for a man’s strength, and she was far from healthy.
His relentless kisses fell upon her, as the rain outside seemed to intensify.
Cecilia lay on the cold bed, her ears ringing, while sharp spasms shot through her abdomen.
y. “Ms. Smith, let me give you some advice. You should know when to stop. Mr. Rainsworth is already very angry.”
Chapter 23 Do Not Make Me Angry
She was terrified, holding her abdomen protectively.
She didn’t know how much time had passed before everything finally stopped.
“Cecilia, don’t make me angry.” Nathaniel’s breathing was heavy.
Cecilia could only vaguely hear his words.
Her eyes were hollow. “Didn’t you say that you would never touch me? So, what is this now?”
She buried her face in the pillow. Nathaniel didn’t notice how pale her face had become.
Cecilia continued, “Does your little lover know what you’ve done? If she found out, I bet she’d be furious.”
Once, Cecilia thought that Nathaniel was both heartless and passionate.
Now, she only found him to be insufferable…
When she mentioned his lover, Nathaniel knew she was referring to Stella.
“Did you ever think about that when you were with Calvin?”
His words were sharp as a blade, aiming straight for her heart.
Nathaniel never compromised for any woman, especially not for Cecilia.
Without any restraint, he sneered, “Looking at how scrawny you are, it’s hard to believe that any man would want you.”
As he spoke, he had already dressed himself.
Cecilia’s ears rang, and she could feel something flowing out from her lower body.
Before Nathaniel left, she couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Rainsworth, if I died, would you be sad?”
Die?
Nathaniel found it laughable.
He didn’t answer but simply said, “Move back to Daltonia Villa tomorrow.”
Cecilia didn’t hear his words.
After Nathaniel left, she pulled back the blanket and saw that her legs were covered in blood.
Nathaniel had no idea that shortly after he left, the sound of an ambulance siren echoed from downstairs.
1/3
12:03 PM
Chapter 23 Do Not Make Me Angry
DE
+5 Pearls
The following day, at the hospital, Cecilia was half–lying on the hospital bed, with Calvin tending to her nearby.
Had she not been sent to the hospital in time last night, she might have lost the baby.
After this incident, Cecilia was more determined than ever to leave Nathaniel.
Ding!
Cecilia picked up her phone and saw a message from Paula who had fled abroad.
Paula: Cecilia! Since you’re would be so grateful to you.
l alive, help me smooth things over with Mr. Larke. Magnus and I
Cecilia deleted the message without replying.
She knew that as long as she was alive, Paula and Magnus would continue to make demands of
her.
Another message was from Nathaniel’s mother, Elena.
Elena: Cecilia, you should be well aware of how much Nathaniel despises you. The only reason he won’t divorce you is because he wants to make you suffer!! So, could you please just disappear from this world? I beg of you.
Calvin came over just in time to see the message.
His brow furrowed. “These people are absolutely shameless!”
Cecilia turned off her phone and looked up at him with a forced smile.
“But there are good people too. Thank you.”
Calvin looked at the strained smile on her face, feeling deeply uncomfortable.
How much injustice and suffering had she endured all these years? Why is she still treading so cautiously, even around an old friend?
Calvin sat down in front of her, meeting her gaze directly. “Between friends, there’s no need to keep saying thank you.”
Hearing this, Cecilia nodded.
After a moment of hesitation, she couldn’t help but speak up. “Calvin, can you do me a favor?”
Cecilia knew that he was the only person who could help her for now..
At Daltonia Villa, Nathaniel returned home promptly after work that day..
He had thought that Cecilia would have calmed down by now..
2/3
12.03 PM
Chapter 23 Do Not Make Me Angry
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened.
+5 Pearls
Instinctively, he pulled out his phone and checked it. There were only work–related messages- nothing else.
Feeling irritable, Nathaniel walked inside, tugging at his tie as he sat down on the couch.
For some reason, his head began to ache.
Leaning back in the chair, he rubbed his temples. As soon as he closed his eyes, an image of Cecilia’s serene face floated in front of him.
Serene didn’t mean meek. On the contrary, Cecilia’s beauty was striking.
Nathaniel still remembered the first time he saw her. She had her hair tied up in a ponytail and smiled shyly, yet her eyes were so bright and captivating.
But after that… Nathaniel frowned. He realized that since Cecilia married him, she had never smiled again…
The ringing phone interrupted his thoughts.
Nathaniel answered the call–it was his friend, Zachary.
“Nathaniel, something’s happened to Cecilia.”
Send Gifts
Chapter 24 Update On Her Condition
Ever since Zachary found out that Cecilia was pregnant, he had the hospital staff keep him updated on her condition.
For some reason, Nathaniel’s heart suddenly trembled.
“What’s the matter?”
“I don’t know the full details. When I went to the hospital today, I heard the doctors say that Cecilia had died.”
Those words hit Nathaniel like a bolt of lightning.
Died? How could that be possible? She had been perfectly fine just last night!
He jumped to his feet, dizziness following closely behind. “What exactly happened?”
“The doctors said Cecilia was brought in last night and died this moming despite their efforts to save her.”
Without another word, Nathaniel grabbed the suit jacket he had tossed aside and rushed out the door.
He drove straight to the hospital.
Along the way, Cecilia’s parting words from last night echoed in his ears, “Mr. Rainsworth, I want to ask you, if I died, would you be sad?”
For reasons unknown, Nathaniel suddenly found it difficult to breathe.
He yanked open the top two buttons of his shirt, but it still felt like he couldn’t get enough air.
Finally, he arrived at the hospital.
Zachary had been waiting outside for some time.
“Where is she?” Nathaniel asked, walking quickly toward him.
“The nurse said someone took her away. I checked the surveillance footage, and it was Calvin.”
It was already one in the morning by this point.
Looking somewhat weary, Zachary handed over the surveillance footage to Nathaniel.
“Last night, sometime after midnight, Cecilia was brought in. She died from excessive blood loss…”
A little after midnight.
Nathaniel remembered that it was shortly after he had left her.
1/3
Chapter 24 Update On Her Condition
What had happened during that time?
Death by excessive blood loss? He didn’t believe it.
+5 Pearls
He immediately made a call, ordering an investigation into Calvin’s whereabouts, as well as Cecilia’s.
This was destined to be a sleepless night.
Zachary paced in front of Nathaniel.
“How could someone so alive just suddenly die? What’s that deaf girl playing at now?”
Nathaniel had no patience for idle chatter. He instructed Zachary to look into the hospital’s situation and then left.
After he was gone, the hospital’s reports on Cecilia’s recent tests were compiled and handed over to Zachary,
Sitting in the chair, Zachary flipped through the documents impatiently.
Previously, all he knew was that Cecilia had attempted suicide by overdosing on medication and was hospitalized, where they discovered she was pregnant.
But now, he saw all the records pulled from other hospitals.
Progressive hearing impairment leading to deafness, frequent ear bleeding, severe depression, memory decline, infertility….
Her cause of death was long–term depression, overconsumption of sleeping pills leading to mental disarray, and self–inflicted wrist slashing, resulting in death from excessive blood loss.
The more Zachary read, the more disturbing it became.
The hospital director, who was standing beside him, couldn’t help but sigh.
“Such a wonderful girl. She’s so young. How did she endure so much suffering?, she saved Mr. Zachary your life four years ago. You have to help her now.”
“What did you say?” Zachary was startled, looking up at the director. “It wasn’t her who saved me. It was someone else.”
“Someone else?” The director was puzzled. “I remember it very clearly. It was this young lady who saved you. She got a long cut on her arm from glass while trying to help. Look at these photos.”
The director still vividly recalled four years ago, the young lady had arrived at the hospital covered in blood.
Back then, the director hadn’t yet assumed his current position.
2/3
Chapter 24 Update On Her Condition
Little did he know the life she saved was that of the eldest son of the Sinclair family.
Because of this debt, the director had risen to his current station.
+5 Pearls
Though many years had passed, he still remembered the young lady’s appearance. The long scar on her arm, left by the glass, remained vividly etched in his mind.
It was difficult to imagine how a young girl could bear such a serious wound without shedding a single tear, her only concern being to save someone else.
Hearing the director mention the scar, Zachary examined the photos carefully and noticed that Cecilia’s delicate, pale arm indeed bore a long, faded scar.
His heart constricted.
hapter 25 The Truth
It had to be a coincidence! It had to be! If Cecilia was the one who saved me, why had she never mentioned it? And if it was her, then everything I had done to her over the years…..
Zachary closed Cecilia’s medical report and returned to his office, where he sat in silence for the entire night.
The next morning, Zachary dialed Stella’s number.
“Stella, let’s meet. I have something to discuss with you.
A
At a private restaurant, inside a reserved room, Stella arrived looking elegantly dressed.
A waiter came over and took her coat.
Zachary’s eyes fell on her smooth, unblemished arms. There were no scars.
Four years ago, his car had been in an accident.
He was trapped inside, unconscious and covered in blood.
A
A young girl had risked her life to reach through the shattered car window, forcing the door ope
As she reached inside, her arm was deeply cut by the broken glass. The hospital director had said the wound needed stitches.
So, after healing, it would be impossible for there to be no trace left.
Under Zachary’s gaze, Stella began to feel a bit uneasy.
“Zach, you said you had something to tell me. What is it?”
Zachary snapped out of his thoughts and withdrew his gaze, his tone cooling slightly.
“Cecilia is dead.”
Stella was stunned.
Immediately, she exclaimed in shock, “When did this happen? How could it be so sudden?”
Her words conveyed disbelief, but deep down, a sense of unprecedented relief welled.
Cecilia was dead!
That meant the last obstacle standing between her and Nathaniel was gone.
- up.
“It happened today. She died from excessive blood loss. The doctors couldn’t save her.”
Zachary picked up his glass of red wine, gently swirling it before downing it in one gulp.
1/3
12:00 PM
Chapter 25 The Truth
Through the glass, he caught a fleeting glimpse of joy on Stella’s face before it quickly disappeared.
+5 Pearls
“This must be fate,” Stella sighed. “She was born into a life most people could never imagine, then used her family’s power to force her way into a marriage with Nathaniel. Now, her death is nothing but karma.”
Karma?
For the first time, Zachary sensed something terrifying in Stella’s words.
Was it wrong to be born into wealth and privilege?
Moreover, he knew Nathaniel’s marriage to Cecilia was nothing more than a business
arrangement.
No one could force Nathaniel into anything.
So why, in Stella’s mind, was that a reason for her to deserve death?
Zachary remained silent, and it seemed as if the temperature in the room had dropped.
Stella realized she had misspoken and quickly tried to correct herself. “Zach, you know I’m talking about Cecilia. She was just too scheming.”
Zachary let out a quiet “Mm” and poured himself another glass of wine.
Speaking of scheming, he carefully reflected on it.
Every time, it was Stella who had told him that Cecilia was scheming!
Yet, he himself had never actually witnessed any of these schemes firsthand.
Perhaps the only “scheme” Cecilia ever had was her deep love for Nathaniel. She went out of her way to please everyone around him, including Zachary himself.
But could that really be called scheming?
For some reason, the wine in his mouth suddenly lost its taste.
After trusting Stella for four years, Zachary found it hard to believe she would lie to him.
How could someone who had risked her life to save him possibly be a bad person?
His voice came out unexpectedly hoarse. “Stella, lately I’ve often dreamed of the past, of when you saved me. I dreamed of you telling me not to be afraid, that everything would be okay. Because of you, I survived. Do you still remember?”
Chapter 26 Reminisce The Past
Of course, Stella didn’t remember any of that.
However, she was very perceptive and had noticed Zachary’s unusual behavior today, as well as the way he kept looking at her arms when he first arrived.
Realizing what was going on, Stella pretended to reminisce with Zachary.
Chapter 26 Reminisce The Past
years ago.
At that time, Nathaniel didn’t care where Cecilia went, nor did he ask what she was going to do in Sparaville.
Even though he said that, every time Cecilia went anywhere, she would still tell him.
“Martha and Cecilia always talked about how wonderful her husband was, but that was just deceiving themselves. Three years of marriage, and he never once came back with her…”
When he opened his eyes and looked around, it was dark and silent. Cecilia wasn’t there.
Mason then asked them where Calvin was.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: When Her Death Couldn't Break Him