Chapter 272 Lonely
Cecilia's response to the reporters was both poised and graceful.
Beside her, Seraphina's eyes were wide with disbelief.
From her earlier fierce confrontation with Ophelia to her calm and composed handling of the press, Cecilia's transformation was nothing short of astonishing. It was a level of growth and strength that Seraphina was struggling to comprehend.
She thought, 'Could it be that Cecilia is simply trying to be the best version of herself for Alaric, as she just said?'
The thought made Seraphina unexpectedly envious.
"Ms. Lockhart, were you confessing your love for Mr. Whitaker just now?" a reporter quickly asked.
Cecilia turned to glance at Alaric. His gaze had never wavered from her.
To him, the reporters seemed like a mere backdrop. His focus was solely on Cecilia.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, Cecilia's cheeks flushed with an almost imperceptible hint of embarrassment.
She turned back to the reporters, "I don't need to make a declaration. He already knows how I feel."
It was a convenient dodge.
"Ms. Lockhart, when did you and Mr. Whitaker fall in love?" the reporter pressed, eager for gossip. "Before this, you were with Dominic, even to the point of marriage. When did you and Mr. Whitaker start your relationship?"
As Cecilia opened her mouth to respond, Alaric interjected, "I've loved Cecilia since we were children. Cecilia came to realize her feelings after we were married."
Cecilia's words caught in her throat.
She thought, 'What did he mean by 'since childhood'?
'We haven't even known each other back then.
'True, he has once helped me when I got lost as a child, but that seems too trivial for someone as mature as Alaric to hold on to. Or maybe he is just playing up for the press?'
"So, I must thank Dominic for not marrying Cecilia!" Alaric continued with a gentle smile. "Otherwise, I would have watched Cecilia drift further away from me. In that case, I might have ended up alone."
Though Alaric spoke with a calm demeanor, Cecilia felt a sudden tightening in her chest.
His words carried an unsettling sincerity.
She was reminded of Alaric's past: in his twenties, he was notorious for his hedonistic lifestyle, surrounded by countless women. But in his thirties, he seemed to have undergone a profound change, becoming distant, solitary, and deeply serious. Rumor had it that his earlier excesses had led to health issues, leaving him disinterested in relationships.
For the longest time, Cecilia had only seen Alaric as a solitary figure—cold and distant.
Whenever they did meet, he kept his distance, often avoiding her entirely.
She'd always assumed his aversion stemmed from his rivalry with Dominic, but at this moment, she began to wonder if Alaric was actually afraid of her—afraid of her getting too close.
Her heart inexplicably began to race.
It was as if she'd stumbled upon a hidden truth.
She felt an unexpected pang of sympathy.
Recalling Alaric from her past life, she remembered him as someone profoundly lonely.
Now, reflecting on it, she truly felt that he was isolated.
Without thinking, Cecilia reached out and took Alaric's hand.
It felt like a reflex—a deep, instinctive urge to offer warmth.
Alaric's fingers twitched slightly.
Cecilia clasped his hand tightly, their fingers intertwining, the warmth of their palms mingling.
Alaric's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.
A genuine, charming smile spread across his lips.
His large hand enveloped her smaller one, holding it even tighter.
The subtle exchange didn't escape the keen eyes of the reporters, who were quick to capture every moment with their cameras.
As they finally managed to escape the throng of journalists and get into the car, Cecilia first dropped off Theodore at the Lockhart Mansion, then took Seraphina back to her and Dashiell's place.
"I don't need a ride home. Just drop me off somewhere on the street," Seraphina said quickly.
Cecilia shot her a look. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Has Dashiell's leg gotten any better?" Cecilia asked.
"How would I know?!" Seraphina snapped.
In the ten days since their wedding, their meetings had been few and far between.
She was out the door every morning and only came back in the dead of night.
She thought, 'How can I possibly know how Dashiell is recovering?'
"You can't stay with Dashiell and support him while his leg's still healing?" Cecilia asked sharply.
"His right leg's crippled. If it never heals properly, am I supposed to be by his side for the rest of his life?" Seraphina snapped back.
"Then why did you even marry him?" Cecilia pressed.
Seraphina was momentarily left speechless by Cecilia's words, her frustration bubbling over.
"Develop a relationship with Dashiell," Cecilia said, her tone serious.
"I've known Dashiell for nearly fifteen years. If I was going to develop feelings for him, don't you think it would have happened by now?"
"Stop projecting your issues with Aunt Magnolia onto Dashiell."
"I don't," Seraphina denied vehemently.
"Whether or not you do is pretty clear."
"How many times do I have to say it? I don't like Dashiell, not one bit…"
"If you don't like him, why are you avoiding him?" Cecilia interrupted.
Seraphina was left speechless, her anger momentarily overwhelming her.
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, she said, "I just don't want to see him. He's an eyesore."
"If Dashiell didn't affect you, why would he be an eyesore?" Cecilia countered.
"Why do you keep pushing me to get along with Dashiell? I can't like him, and I never will!"
Cecilia was on the verge of losing her patience.
Cecilia thought, 'Why is it so hard for Seraphina to get along with Dashiell?'
Just as Cecilia was about to say more, Alaric, sitting next to them, spoke into his phone, "Did you catch that? Seraphina says she'll never like you."
Both Cecilia and Seraphina stared at Alaric, stunned.
After a moment, Cecilia asked, "Who are you calling?"
"Dashiell," Alaric replied bluntly.
"Alaric, are you seriously bored out of your mind?!" Cecilia was exasperated.
As if one difficult person wasn't enough, now she had to deal with a clueless ally.
"I'm just letting Dashiell know how his wife feels about him. I'm just a messenger, nothing more," Alaric said with a nonchalant shrug.
"Who's his wife?" Seraphina shot back, annoyed.
Cecilia was at her wit's end.
She grabbed Alaric's phone and hung up.
Turning to Seraphina, she snapped, "Go home!"
"You're taking your frustration with your own man out on me. Cecilia, you've really changed. You don't care about me anymore!" Seraphina said with a hurt look, as if Cecilia's anger was a betrayal.
"Cut the act!"
Seraphina stuck out her tongue.
The car finally arrived at the Grand Residences, where Dashiell and Seraphina lived.
Cecilia practically pushed Seraphina out of the car.
"Work on your relationship with Dashiell," Cecilia insisted.
Seraphina sulked.
She'd rather like anyone else in the world than ever fall for Dashiell!