Chapter 2236

“Stinky Dad, that actually makes sense,” Elliot said, rubbing the sore spot on his head.

Jonathan murmured his agreement. “Mm.”

He gave a small nod to show he meant it.

Nathaniel sat down. “Eat up. Before you start liking someone else’s daughter, make sure she likes you back.”

Elliot puffed up with confidence. “With faces like ours, who wouldn’t?”

Cecilia laughed again.

Men—young or grown—were all just as vain.

“All right, eat. You’re the most handsome,” she humored him.

Only then did Jonathan and Elliot focus on their food.

The family gathered around the table, warm and full of life.

After dinner, Cecilia stepped outside for a walk, and Nathaniel followed right behind her.

She shot him a puzzled look. “Why are you trailing me again?”

He’d been glued to her all week—impossible to shake.

From inside, Elliot called out while munching on fruit, “Stinky Dad, you’re being clingy. TV says clingy people get dumped.”

Nathaniel: “...”

He turned to the boy. “Finished your homework? I’ll be checking.”

Elliot instantly shut his mouth and bolted to his room.

Jonathan, sitting in the living room playing on the computer, glanced over.

Even he could tell something was off—Nathaniel was sticking to their mom like he was afraid she might disappear.

Ignoring the looks, Nathaniel followed Cecilia outside.

“How’s the wound?” he asked.

“It’s healing. It’s already scabbed—I can take the bandage off soon,” Cecilia replied lightly.

She said it like it was nothing.

Nathaniel lowered his gaze. “Let me see.”

Cecilia didn’t resist.

He bent down to check and saw the clean, hardened scab.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing again? It wasn’t your fault.” She wrapped her arms around him. “There, there.”

Nathaniel hugged her back, holding her tightly.

Neither of them noticed the sedan slowly approaching, its headlights muted under the streetlights, its intent clear in the steady, deliberate way it moved forward.

The moment the car stopped, Elena rushed out. When she saw Cecilia in Nathaniel’s arms, she cleared her throat sharply.

“Cough, cough.”

Startled, Cecilia and Nathaniel quickly let go as they realized she was standing there.

“Mom, what brings you here?” Cecilia asked.

Elena stepped closer, her face pale. “I’m afraid Nicholas may be in trouble.”

Ever since Nicholas disappeared, she had people checking every traffic camera in Tudela. Strangely, not a single frame captured even a trace of him.

“Nicholas never even left Tudela, so where could he be? Do you think something terrible has happened?” Her voice trembled, on the verge of breaking.

Cecilia saw her distress and, unsure how to respond, turned to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel didn’t waver. “Mom, he’ll be fine. Please don’t worry.”

Elena suddenly gripped Nathaniel’s hand tightly. “A mother knows—I keep waking up from nightmares. Nathaniel, please help me find Nicholas. I’m begging you.”

Watching her plead, Cecilia felt a knot of conflicting emotions tighten in her chest.

After all, she was a mother of twins.

If anything ever happened between Jon and Elliot—even the thought sent a chill through her.

As a mother, she understood Elena’s fear as if it were her own.

But Nicholas had crossed a line.

Some consequences couldn’t simply be erased—could they?