When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2163

Cecilia blinked, momentarily stunned by the blunt admission. When she found her voice, she kept it calm—steady as a doctor smoothing a spasm.

"Why, Charlotte?" she asked, gentle but unwavering. "Is there some problem you can't tell me?"

Charlotte's fingers tightened around Cecilia's sleeve. She pulled her boss toward the parking lot, whispering, "Let's talk in the car—please."

"Okay."

Cecilia gave a short nod and followed without another word.

Inside the sedan, the heater pumped out waves of artificial warmth, yet Charlotte shuddered as though snow still clung to her coat.

Staring at her own hands—pale, knuckles white—she murmured, "Sven once told me he didn't want children. He feared a baby would turn into his weak spot."

Understanding flickered across Cecilia's eyes, the puzzle finally aligning.

"If that's the case, you guys should have taken precautions. Now that you're already pregnant, are you really thinking of giving it up? It may affect your health if you do."

Charlotte twisted her fingers, nails digging crescents into her palms. "Don't blame Sven. It's really not his fault."

The defense only sharpened Cecilia's frustration; heat flared in her cheeks.

"Oh, come on. A baby doesn't appear by magic," she retorted. "He shares the responsibility whether he likes it or not. How can I not blame him?"

Charlotte swallowed. "I visited him last month. Someone had drugged him. That's the only reason it happened..." Her voice trailed off, thick with shame.

Cecilia's anger ebbed, replaced by wary concern. She had always believed Sven to be an honorable man; the last thing she wanted was for him to disappoint her by shattering Charlotte's trust.

Even so, Cecilia urged softly, "But what's happened has already happened. I still think you should tell Sven. See what he says."

Charlotte shook her head so quickly her hair whipped across her cheeks. She clutched Cecilia's hand, knuckles icy.

"Boss, promise me you'll keep this secret. Please don't tell him, okay?"

A memory rippled through Cecilia: Vivian had once begged the same promise—to hide a pregnancy behind locked lips. She never expected to face that plea again so soon.

Cecilia had not expected to stumble into yet another clandestine pregnancy that begged for her silence. The pattern was becoming disturbingly familiar.

"Fine. I can help you keep this secret, but I still urge you to talk to Sven. This isn't something you should face alone. You two should handle it together," Cecilia conceded.

Charlotte shook her head once more. "I'll handle it myself. It'll be fine."

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