When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2092

At the mention of his orphaned past, both Brycen and Calliope felt their chests tighten. Tenderness pooled in their eyes.

Brycen cleared his throat. “Your parents were still young, weren't they? How could such tragedies happen?”

“My father died in a car accident,” Magnus answered quietly. “Mother fought cancer until the very end, and then she, too, was gone.”

Calliope's hand flew to her mouth. The simple outline of the story hurt more than any detailed account could.

She reached across the coffee table and clasped his fingers. “Sweet child, don't dwell on the sorrow. From now on, Brycen and I are your family.”

Magnus bowed his head repeatedly. “Thank you.”

Standing a short distance away, Denise watched the three of them converse with such easy warmth that for a heartbeat she imagined herself already married to Magnus.

“Mom, Dad, keep talking,” Denise said, turning toward the kitchen. “I'll start dinner.”

Magnus sprang to his feet. “Denise, let me help. Mr. and Mrs. Laney, please relax.”

Calliope laughed softly. “All right, go on.”

Ever since Magnus had stepped through the door, the smiles on Brycen and Calliope's faces had refused to fade.

Once their daughter and Magnus disappeared into the kitchen, silence settled over the living room like a gentle shawl.

Calliope exhaled a pleased sigh. “Magnus really is extraordinary. He's handsome, polite, and so considerate.”

Brycen nodded yet murmured, “Fine words are easy. I want to see action. Men can promise oceans and deliver puddles.”

Calliope nudged his arm. “There you go again, overthinking everything.”

Even Brycen admitted, inwardly, that suspicion might be unfair, yet the duty of a father was to guard every gate to his daughter's happiness.

Inside the kitchen, bright light bounced off the tiled walls.

Denise turned, brow knitted with regret. “I never asked about your parents. I'm sorry.”

Until now, she had only known they were gone, never the painful how.

Magnus shook his head. “You don't need to apologize. It happened long ago, and I've made peace with it.”

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