When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2028

Magnus was struck speechless again.

Denise sighed at his expression. “You’ve repented, right? Treat your sister well from now on.”

He nodded hard. “I took everything for granted before. I’ll never hurt her again.”

Sadly, his awakening had come far too late.

He looked at Denise with sincere gratitude. “You’ve really taught me a lot. And thank you for believing I can change.”

Denise gave a shy, embarrassed smile in return.

“Don’t say that. I’m nowhere near that skilled. You still have to figure it out for yourself.”

Magnus studied her features, and an affection he himself had yet to notice softened his expression.

“If only I’d met you sooner.”

Finished speaking, he fumbled in his pocket, found a small box, and offered it to Denise.

Denise blinked in confusion. “What’s this?”

“Open it and see.”

She took the box and, under Magnus’ expectant gaze, flipped it open to reveal a pair of delicate earrings.

“These are?”

“I bought them. You’ve got pierced ears but never wear earrings, so I thought I’d get you a pair,” Magnus explained.

On the walk back, he had noticed a roadside stall selling handmade jewelry.

Denise immediately pressed the box back into his hand. “I can’t accept this.”

“Why not?” Magnus hesitated, then added, “They didn’t cost much. I picked them up at a street stand. They were less than two hundred.”

A street stand... Less than two hundred...

That line almost made Denise’s jaw drop.

Even with her comfort, Magnus didn’t feel much better.

“I’ll be careful next time. I won’t let anyone cheat me again.”

“It’s fine,” Denise coaxed. “Let’s head back. You’ve worked all day and must be exhausted.”

“All right.”

Magnus stayed silent the entire walk home.

Once inside the gate, he caught Denise’s hand. “Denise, do you think I’m stupid?”

She turned and met his eyes. “Of course, not. You were being kind today.”

“Actually, I really admire you,” Magnus blurted without knowing why. “A young woman carrying the burden of two seriously ill parents—that’s incredible.”

He felt that even as a grown man, he couldn’t have managed it.

Back when Mom was dying, I hadn’t even done my duty as a son.