Chapter 2217

Nicholas’s arms around Cecilia went rigid.

She felt it—and pressed on. “Long before you married Cassandra, I could tell Jocelyn liked you. Even I, an outsider, saw it. How could you not?”

Nicholas said nothing.

Cecilia began to understand what twisted need was driving him.

“Or did you know—and just pretend you didn’t?”

Exposed, Nicholas couldn’t find a single word.

A cold laugh escaped her. “So I was right. You ignored Jocelyn’s feelings back then. Now that she’s married and moved on, you’re claiming she changed?”

She continued, “I misjudged you once, and I’m sorry for that. But Jocelyn never wronged you. Did she?”

Nicholas’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

He knew she was right. Still, resentment smoldered in his chest.

He lowered his head, his breath hot against her neck. “Ceci… when did you learn to speak like this?”

A chill sliced through her.

“Nicholas, don’t do this.”

He cupped her cheek lightly. “Don’t do what?”

Cecilia clenched her teeth.

“I regret pretending to be gentle,” Nicholas said, staring at her flushed face. “That softness kept me from the person I truly love.”

A tremor ran through her.

“What do you want from me?”

“You,” he answered without hesitation. “I’ve loved you for so long. Why should I never have you?”

A dangerous edge flashed in his eyes. “You were laughing with Calvin today. When you were alone before, did you already give yourself to him?”

“That’s ridiculous!” Cecilia snapped.

Nicholas’s lips curved faintly. “Is it? Did I misread you?”

“Calvin and I are just friends. Nothing more.” Humiliation and anger burned through her.

Nicholas fell silent.

His fingertip traced along her cheek. “I don’t believe you.”

Goosebumps rippled across her skin.

The room was heavily soundproofed. Even if she screamed, no one might hear her.

And with Nicholas blocking the way, escape was nearly impossible.

Cecilia forced herself to think.

“Nicholas,” she said carefully, “isn’t this what you want? If I give myself to you… will that settle everything between us?”

He stared at her, stunned.

“Then let me go first,” she insisted softly.

Slowly, his hands loosened.

Standing in front of him, Cecilia unbuttoned her blouse one clasp at a time.

Nicholas’s narrowed eyes never left her.

Her heart pounded. “Can I shower first? You should too…”

Certain she wouldn’t run, Nicholas nodded. “Fine. Go.”

Cecilia walked toward the bathroom.

She instinctively reached for her phone—

“Your phone’s with me,” Nicholas said behind her. “Don’t bother calling Nathaniel. Even if he knew, he wouldn’t get here in time.”

A wave of dread washed over her.

Nicholas had changed. The man before her felt like a stranger.

“I wasn’t going to call,” she replied evenly.

Inside the bathroom, she locked the door and turned the water on full blast.

What now?

Panic churned through her mind.

Outside, Nicholas opened a bottle of red wine, poured himself a glass, and took a slow sip.

Minutes passed.

When she still didn’t come out, he walked to the door and knocked.

“Come out. Now.”