Chapter 2234

Cecilia followed Lucille out of the mall, and together they stepped into the crisp evening air.

Nathaniel took the opportunity to wait outside as well.

Spotting Mason shivering in the wind, he teased, “Leaving work early, huh?”

Mason jolted like he’d seen a ghost when Nathaniel appeared.

“Boss, please don’t start rumors again. I wasn’t early—I clocked out right on time.”

Right on time?

Nathaniel’s lips twitched. What boss actually enjoyed hearing that?

Just then, Cecilia and Lucille walked up to them.

“Why are you two together?” Cecilia asked Nathaniel.

He answered smoothly, “I finished work and came to find you. Just happened to run into him.”

Mason, unaware he’d been followed all afternoon, nodded. “Yeah.”

“Let’s head home,” Nathaniel added.

“Sure.”

Cecilia moved to his side and waved goodbye to Lucille.

Behind them, Lucille pinched Mason’s hand. “Quit whining.”

Mason muttered, clearly aggrieved, “Am I not even allowed to complain?”

“Forget complaining—you have zero rights. Come on, let’s go home.” Lucille grabbed his hand and pulled him along.

Mason hurried after her, still trying to explain. “Lucy, the night before last I really left right after the boss. I was on my way to pick you up—stop being mad, okay?”

“I don’t believe Mr. Nathaniel would lie to me on purpose.”

“Lucy, you’re way too naive. Seriously…”

Mason hadn’t expected his wife to trust the boss that completely.

Other people might see Nathaniel as stern and humorless, but Mason knew better—the man was devious to the core.

Nathaniel always pulled moves no one saw coming.

Cecilia and Nathaniel walked ahead, still able to hear Lucy and Mason bickering behind them.

After they got into the car, Cecilia said, “You should clear things up for Mason. The poor guy followed the schedule, and you insisted he left early.”

Nathaniel yawned. “Not happening.”

Who told Mason to tease him? He could suffer for a while.

Cecilia hadn’t expected him to be that childish and gave up trying to convince him.

The long day of shopping had worn her out, and she closed her eyes to rest.

When she drifted off against the seatback, Nathaniel’s gaze lingered on her face. He pulled her into his arms and held her close.

Cecilia wasn’t fully asleep. She slowly opened her eyes.

“It’s too warm. Let me go.”

“No,” Nathaniel said, as stubborn as ever.

She had no way to deal with him and simply let him hold her.

They arrived home.

After Madeline and Lucy moved out, Sven left, and Charlotte got married and moved away, the Smith residence felt empty and cold.

Even the two little ones found mealtimes dull.

“I really miss when Aunt Maddie and everyone else were here,” Elliot sighed.

Jonathan glanced at him. “Seems like you just miss Amy.”

Elliot’s face flushed at being called out. “I do not.”

Then he looked toward Cecilia.

“Mommy, when will Aunt Meredith come over to play?”

Jonathan answered first. “You’d be better off asking when Dahlia’s coming.”

Meredith had adopted Dahlia and often brought her over on weekends.

The little girl was sweet and sensible, and both boys adored her.