When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him Novel

Chapter 416 I Am Sorry

Nicholas finally heard the question he had been anticipating. His lips barely moved as he spoke. “Ceci, you visited the Rainsworth family when you were very young. Have you ever heard about them having twins?”

Cecilia shook her head.

If she had known that Nathaniel had a twin brother, she would have questioned whether she had mistaken the man she loved. But throughout her childhood, whenever her parents took her to Tudela to visit the Rainsworth family, no one had ever mentioned that Nathaniel was a twin.

Nicholas explained, “From the moment I was born, I suffered from a severe condition. I was extremely sensitive to the cold, terrified of sunlight, and spent most of my early years confined to an intensive care unit. My family even feared at one point that I might not survive. Because of this, my existence was kept a secret from the outside world.”

He continued, “Later, when my health improved slightly, I returned to the Rainsworth family. But I was still incredibly weak, and I had very little interaction with the outside world. The only person I connected with… was you.”

Nicholas‘ voice softened as he recalled those memories. “The reason I initially told you I was my elder brother, Nathaniel, was because I was afraid you’d reject me due to my illness. Secondly, the Rainsworth family didn’t want anyone seen as weak or useless to be exposed to the public.”

Cecilia listened in silence, finally understanding the complexities of his situation.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, her voice tinged with regret. “I was unaware of all this. It wasn’t that I deliberately avoided seeing you, or pretended not to recognize you. I was simply at a loss for how to face you, what to say when I encountered you.”

“I’ve never forgotten how you helped me when we were young. Those memories are still clear in my mind,” Cecilia added, her eyes welling with tears that she could no longer hold back.. sons that had driven her:

Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming guilt. The very from Nicholas, the one who had once loved her so deeply, now weighed heavily on her heart. Nicholas reached out to wipe her tears away, but Cecilia instinctively flinched and turned her face away. His hand froze in mid–air.

-Do you remember the promise we made when we were younger?” Nicholas asked, his voice. steady but filled with emotion.

Cecilia looked up at him.

“Do you remember promising to marry me when I returned?” Nicholas continued, emphasizing each word with care.

Cecilia’s body stiffened, her complexion paling as the memory resurfaced. Back then, she had been injured while trying to save him. He had held her tightly and whispered, “Wait for me. When I return, we’ll get married.”

The scars from that incident still marked Cecilia’s back, a constant reminder of the promise she had made. It was because of those words that she had unhesitatingly chosen to marry Nathaniel. But in the end, it had all been a misunderstanding.

“I’m already married, you know,” Cecilia said, her voice strained. She clenched her hands tightly, her fingertips digging into her palms. “And besides, you’re engaged now. We should just forget about our previous agreement.”

Nicholas‘ throat tightened at her words. “If you’re willing, I’ll call off the engagement immediately,” he offered, his intentions clear.

Nicholas had agreed to marry Cassandra for two reasons–one, to please Elena, and two, to gauge Cecilia’s reaction. Now, he was pushing Cecilia to make a choice.

But Cecilia didn’t hesitate. She shook her head and replied, “I’m sorry.”

Even if she divorced Nathaniel, she couldn’t imagine marrying Nicholas. She wasn’t the same Cecilia she had been before. Now, she had Elliot and Jonathan, as well as the child growing in her belly. She felt unworthy of the present Nicholas.

Nicholas hadn’t expected her rejection to be so swift and decisive. He couldn’t accept it. “Ceci, is there something holding you back?” he asked, his voice laced with desperation.

“I’ll handle my brother’s affairs,” Nicholas continued. “I’ll ensure he divorces you, and I’ll arrange for someone to take care of him in the future.”

But Cecilia remained indifferent, her heart heavy with sorrow. Nicholas gave a bitter smile, realizing he was losing her.

“If it weren’t for him,” Nicholas whispered, “the man you should have married would have been me.”

Had Nicholas returned earlier, during the first three years of her marriage to Nathaniel, Cecilia might have agreed to be with him without hesitation. But now, everything had changed.

All Cecilia could do was apologize again, “I’m sorry.”

She reached for the car door, ready to leave, but before she could step out, Nicholas pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him.