Chapter 2226

A heartbeat later, Cecilia’s eyes flew open. Nathaniel was staring at her, concern written across his face.

She grabbed his hand in alarm. “Why are you still awake?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” he replied quietly. “So I woke up.”

“Then close your eyes and go back to sleep,” she urged. “You still have work tomorrow.”

Nathaniel nodded but kept his arms wrapped around her.

Carefully testing the waters, he asked, “It feels like you haven’t been sleeping well since you got back. Did something happen over there?”

Cecilia froze for a moment before quickly regaining her composure.

“Nothing happened. I just don’t sleep well in unfamiliar beds,” she said.

Seeing her deflect again, Nathaniel decided not to push her tonight.

Tomorrow, he would confront Nicholas and find out the truth himself.

The next morning.

Cecilia woke up feeling refreshed, the heaviness that had weighed on her finally gone.

Maybe it was because Nathaniel had held her through the night—no nightmares came, and she had slept deeply.

She turned her head. His side of the bed was already empty.

After washing up and getting dressed, she stepped out of the bedroom.

In the dining room, she found only Elliot and Jonathan, who had just started breakfast.

“Mommy, you’re up. Come eat,” Elliot called.

Cecilia sat down across from them and asked, “Where’s Daddy?”

Elliot shook his head. “Not sure. He was already gone when we woke up. Auntie said he left early.”

“Oh, I see.” Cecilia lowered her gaze and continued eating.

Jonathan studied the thick layers she was wearing and asked, “Mommy, aren’t you hot?”

Cecilia hesitated for a moment, then looked up with an embarrassed smile.

“It’s fine. I’m not hot. Why do you ask?”

“Good, as long as you’re comfortable,” Jonathan said. “You’re wearing so many layers that even your neck is covered.”

Cecilia chatted casually with the boys while they finished breakfast.

When they were done, she told the driver to take Elliot and Jonathan to school.

After seeing them off, she declined the chauffeur’s help, got into her own car, and drove to a small clinic to have her dressing changed.

Dr. Lazlo carefully peeled away the gauze, revealing the stark, raw scar across her neck.

“Doctor, how long will it take for this wound to heal?” Cecilia asked.

“At least a month.”

“And after a month… will the mark still be obvious?”

Dr. Lazlo chuckled softly. “You’ll still see it—especially if your skin scars easily.”

As he spoke, he studied her face more closely.

“Oh—sorry. I hadn’t noticed the cut on your cheek.”

A faint line still marked the side of her face—the price she had paid while saving Jon.

“It’s fine,” Cecilia said with a gentle smile. “Please reapply the bandage. And if possible, help me get rid of the scar.”

“With consistent use of scar-removal ointment, it should stay under control,” Dr. Lazlo replied.

Cecilia nodded. “Okay.”

Once the fresh gauze was in place, she bundled herself up again and stepped outside.

The cold weather worked in her favor. If it were summer, hiding the injury would have been nearly impossible.

Still, anything related to Nicholas required caution.

After returning to the company, she hired several bodyguards, equipped them with gear, and ordered them to guard her around the clock.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room elsewhere, Nathaniel sat at the head of a table.

Nicholas stood before him.

Nicholas forced a bitter smile. “Brother… did she tell you?”

Based on what he knew about Cecilia, Nicholas had expected her to keep silent.