When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2237

Nathaniel watched her, hesitation flickering before he finally relented. "All right, I'll look for him. Please head home for now."

"Okay, okay." Elena loosened her grip and walked, step by step, back to the car that had brought her.

The vehicle pulled away, taillights sliding into the dark.

Nathaniel stayed where he was, unmoving.

Cecilia stepped beside him. "Let Nicholas go."

She figured the past days had punished Nicholas plenty; surely he wouldn't dare touch her again.

She expected Nathaniel to agree, but he turned on his heel. "Let him off just like that? You must be kidding."

"Nicholas acted worse than an animal. The fact I haven't taken his life is mercy enough."

Cecilia faltered. "But… your mother…?"

"Leave Mom to me. The only thing you need to remember is that no matter who hurts you, I'm always on your side."

He paused, then added, "Everything I told Jon and Elliot earlier was true. You're the person who matters most, the one who'll walk with me to the end."

Cecilia's chest tightened at his words.

"Thank you for valuing me that much. You're my forever, too." She drew a long breath. "Please, let Nicholas go."

She didn't want others thinking Nathaniel would cripple his own brother just to appease a woman.

"Absolutely not!" Nathaniel refused, unwavering.

Cecilia couldn't make sense of it.

Why would he insist, even after she'd agreed to drop the matter?

"Nathaniel."

He offered a mild smile. "Enough about him. Let's keep walking."

Cecilia studied his expression, sensing something off yet unable to name it.

She strolled beside Nathaniel, unaware of the storm circling inside him.

"If I had a choice, I'd never be your brother. I come second in everything— even the woman I love ended up with you." His glare burned into Nathaniel.

Nathaniel yanked Nicholas up by the collar. "All you do is blame everyone else. What kind of man is that?"

With those words, he hurled Nicholas aside as if the weight disgusted him.

Nicholas slammed to the ground, pain folding him into a ball. He made no sound.

Nathaniel stared at that pathetic heap, anger and contempt twisting together.

"Don't dream of walking out of here. Even if our parents learn the truth, I still won't spare you," he snarled before turning on his heel.

Outside, the night wrapped Nathaniel in a chill, black hush.

He stood beneath the dark sky, exhausted. No beating could quench the fire still raging in his chest.

Cecilia filled the rest of his thoughts. He had no idea how to lift the shadow still hanging over her.

She never complained, yet on the nights he came home late he sometimes heard her whimper through nightmares, words slurred in restless sleep.