Chapter 147 Alaric and Cecilia's Emotional Confession
"Cecilia, I'm not saying this to make you feel like you owe Alaric. I just want you to know his feelings for you are real. If you're really over Dominic, maybe give Alaric a chance. Actually..." Dashiell paused.
He almost said, "He's liked you for a long time," but held back. That was Alaric's moment to share, not his.
As an observer, he could only lay out the facts. The romantic stuff? That was for them to handle.
Dashiell switched gears. "Actually, he's a good guy, not as bad as people think."
Cecilia was puzzled. Even after seeing Alaric's success in her past life, she never thought of him as a good person or someone with deep feelings, definitely not someone to rely on.
But now, she had to admit, she was a bit shaken. Any woman would be moved if someone risked their life for her.
Maybe it was just that—being moved. But why did she feel a flutter in her heart, something she thought she'd never feel again?
She looked at Dashiell, emotions swirling. "What's your relationship with Alaric?"
She'd never seen Dashiell and Alaric interact, but it was clear Dashiell knew Alaric and Cassius well. Their relationship was confusing.
Dashiell smiled faintly, as if expecting her question. "My relationship with Alaric... I'm sorry, I can't tell you."
Cecilia frowned.
"But one day, you'll know," Dashiell said confidently. "Alaric will tell you."
With an apologetic smile, Dashiell added, "Go on in. I think Alaric would rather see you than Cassius."
Cecilia chuckled. Dashiell said Cassius was rude and blatant, but she was touched by Cassius's feelings for Alaric.
They went back to the ward. Inside, it was still Cassius's voice.
Dashiell walked straight over. "Cassius, it's late. Let Alaric rest. We're leaving."
Cassius was reluctant. "I'm staying with Alaric tonight."
Dashiell looked at him. "What are you thinking?" Cassius was exasperated. "Didn't the doctor say a family member needs to stay overnight? I mean I'll stay."
"Alaric's wife is here," Dashiell pointed at Cecilia.
Cecilia felt a bit embarrassed.
Cassius glanced at her. Just as he was about to speak, Dashiell dragged him out. "Let's go."
Cassius was reluctant but held back. "I'll come see you first thing in the morning," he told Alaric.
Alaric nodded.
Dashiell left decisively, dragging Cassius along.
The door to the ward closed behind them.
Now, it was just Cecilia, Alaric, and Augustus in the room. Always perceptive, Augustus had already stepped out.
He appeared to be aware that they had matters to discuss, so he gave them plenty of room.
Facing the now empty room with just the two of them, Cecilia felt a bit at a loss.
She looked at Alaric, who was wrapped up like a mummy, and found it somewhat amusing.
In that moment of amusement, she also felt a pang of heartache.
She slowly walked over and sat by his bedside.
She could clearly feel that when she sat down, Alaric's fingers trembled slightly.
Dashiell had said that the last time Alaric's hands shook was ten years ago... She didn't know what had happened to Alaric ten years ago, but she knew that ten years later, Alaric was willing to risk his life for her!
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
Alaric had been pretending to sleep with his eyes closed.
Hearing her voice, he opened his eyes and saw the sincerity in Cecilia's eyes.
His perfect lips seemed to press together slightly.
Cecilia met his gaze and said, "I think I might have been too harsh."
Because she was angry, maybe not even at Alaric, but at herself for not being able to get rid of Dominic, for letting Dominic be so smug in front of her. She was angry at herself but took it out on Alaric.
In fact, after arguing with Alaric, she regretted it, but she couldn't bring herself to apologize first.
Having lived another life, she had become much more selfish.
She was so afraid of getting hurt that she protected herself deeply.
She wanted to become invincible, so she didn't want anyone to break through her hard shell.
The more someone could threaten her inner self, the more she would reject them, and the more she rejected, the more out of control she became.
She seemed to be like this with Alaric.
She continued, "Thank you for risking your life to save me."
"I don't know how to repay you, but..." Cecilia said, "Alaric, give me some time. I can't accept you right now. I've been through a lot, things beyond your imagination, but to me, they were real. Because I've been through so much, I'm afraid to easily accept someone, even more afraid to love someone unreservedly. What you did for me today, I admit, I was really moved. Maybe if it were before, before I went through all those terrible things, I would have fallen in love with you immediately, even if you had countless women, I wouldn't hesitate."
Alaric's eyes stayed on her.
He listened to her seemingly calm tone, which seemed to carry immense sadness.
Cecilia's throat moved slightly, and she said again, "The problem between us isn't that you're not good enough, it's me. I can't let go of my defenses, I can't let go of my armor. I can't move past my past shadows. I'm afraid..."
"Okay." Alaric suddenly interrupted her.
Cecilia was stunned.
"Okay, I'll give you time," Alaric said, his voice steady, not sounding like someone who had just been in a serious car accident.
He added, "I don't need to know the things you don't want to say, and I don't need to know why you've changed so much. I just want to tell you, I'll wait for you."
'No matter how long, I'll wait for you.' Alaric thought.
Cecilia's eyes reddened.
She was truly moved to tears by Alaric.
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