When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him

Chapter 1867 The Past Is In The Past

"Nathaniel. Ceci." Nicholas stopped a short distance from the pavilion, calling out to them.noveldrama

Both Cecilia and Nathaniel turned at the sound of his voice.

Nathaniel gave a low hum in response, then leaned slightly toward Cecilia. "If anything happens, let me know right away. I'll be here, waiting."

Cecilia nodded. "All right."

She stepped out of the pavilion.

Nicholas held the umbrella over her head.

"Thank you," Cecilia said politely, subtly creating a bit of distance between them as she walked beside him.

Nicholas noticed every small gesture-but said nothing.

Cecilia didn't waste time. "Meredith is a dear friend of mine. It's true she can't conceive, and she sincerely wants to adopt Dahlia. Would you be willing to let Dahlia stay with her?"

Her directness made Nicholas tighten his grip on the umbrella. But he didn't answer immediately. Instead, his eyes wandered. "It's been a long time since we came here, hasn't it?" he said.

Cecilia nodded. "Yes."

Nicholas gave a faint smile. "Lately, I keep dreaming about our childhood. If we could go back to those days... wouldn't that be nice?"

"What's in the past is in the past," Cecilia said firmly. "I came here today to talk about Dahlia."

Nicholas stopped in his tracks. "Dahlia is my daughter. There's no way I could let anyone else raise her."

Cecilia's fists clenched at her sides. "I know that there's no blood relation between you and Dahlia, and you don't love her."

Caliste visited Dahlia often. According to the nurses, Nicholas rarely visited the hospital. And now, Dahlia no longer even recognized him as her father.

A smile tugged at Nicholas's lips, though it was tinged with something unreadable. "She and I may not share blood, but how do you know I don't love her?"

Cecilia studied his gentle expression. "Some things are better left unsaid. It might not be good for either of us if we speak too clearly."

She didn't want to bring up how Cassandra had become pregnant with Dahlia. But Nicholas, ever sharp, seemed to sense the underlying tension in her eyes. His heart tightened.

"You know, don't you?" he asked.

Cecilia didn't hesitate. "Please, spare this child. She's done nothing wrong."

Nicholas stood frozen for a moment before his voice dropped, quieter than before. "Ceci, don't you want revenge? Have you forgotten who tried to kill Jon?"

"That was all Cassandra," Cecilia said quickly. "It had nothing to do with Dahlia. When Cassandra hurt Jon, Dahlia wasn't even born yet."

Nicholas fell silent once more, the weight of his thoughts lingering before he finally spoke. “Everything I did, I did it all for you. Why don't you understand?"

"For me?" Cecilia couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. "You must be kidding yourself. I never asked you to do such disgusting things on my behalf."

Disgusting things? Nicholas' expression changed subtly.

It was clear that reason wouldn't reach him, so Cecilia asked straightforwardly, "Are you willing to give Meredith custody of Dahlia or not?"

Nicholas' eyes turned cold, his voice laced with frost. "Is this how you ask for a favor?"

Cecilia had no choice but to swallow her pride. "Consider it... me begging you." "No," Nicholas replied without hesitation.

Cecilia's heart sank. She couldn't understand why, despite his outward gentleness, Nicholas could be so ruthless.

"All right then," she thought, steeling herself. She would have to find another way.

She stepped out from under Nicholas's umbrella, turning her back to him and walking briskly toward Nathaniel.

As Cecilia walked away, she

remained unaware of the complex emotions swirling in Nicholas' gaze-feelings that were a strange mix of indifference and something deeper, something far more difficult to decipher.

At that moment, Jocelyn was not far off. Though she couldn't hear the details of their conversation, the tension in their expressions made it clear that things hadn't gone well.

After waiting for Nicholas to leave first, she turned her attention to Cecilia and

hurried after her. "Ms. Smith."