Chapter 69 The Bitch Starts Performing
Cecilia's serene smile betrayed no hint of her true emotions.
"Actually," she began, "winning a man's attention isn't about putting on a show; it's about whether he truly cares for you. If he does, he'll notice even a sneeze. If he doesn't, you could be on your deathbed, and he'd only express concern out of mere courtesy."
Rebecca's face visibly darkened.
Rumor had it that Cecilia was a quintessential peacemaker, always smoothing over conflicts and never instigating disputes. Her demeanor was often praised as pure and kind, morally upright. Yet, those same qualities were sometimes dismissed as signs of weakness and naivety.
But today, Cecilia's words, cloaked in a veneer of gentleness, dripped with an assertive sarcasm.
"As far as I'm concerned, Alaric has changed for the better. His past is his business, not mine. So, I'm not interested in your history with him and I won't hold it against you. Now that I'm married to Alaric, I will stand by his side. Rebecca, let the past stay where it belongs."
Cecilia's message was unambiguous: Alaric's past with Rebecca was irrelevant, and from now on, he was hers.
Rebecca's cold gaze fixed on Cecilia. In her eyes, Cecilia was not just mocking her; she was trying to dominate her.
"Feeling smug now, aren't you?" Rebecca's voice was laced with ice.
Cecilia's smile widened. "No, just satisfied. Smugness comes from coupling with someone out of your league. Satisfaction is born of mutual love and happiness."
Rebecca's composure began to fracture. She felt Cecilia was insinuating that she wasn't good enough for Alaric.
"Don't think you're you're indispensable to Alaric. He'd sacrifice anyone around him if it served his interests. One day you'll realize I'm right," Rebecca spat out, her tone heavy with spite.
In that moment, Cecilia's intuition whispered that Rebecca might be telling the truth.
"We'll see!" Rebecca stormed off.
Cecilia watched her leave with a pensive expression. Rebecca's revelations lingered in the air, heavy with implications.
Could Alaric truly be so ruthless? Who really was this man she married?
A servant emerged from the hall, rushing towards her. "Mrs. Cecilia Whitaker, you are invited to Miss Emily Whitaker's room. She wishes to apologize in person."
"Alright," Cecilia consented without hesitation.
A nagging curiosity tugged at her thoughts. Both Alaric and Rebecca had cautioned her about Emily. What could be so dangerous about Emily?
Cecilia followed the servant to Emily's room. In her previous life, Cecilia had always sought to avoid conflict, striving to maintain peace. But now, avoidance was no longer an option.
Cecilia knocked on the door. Arabella opened it with a warm smile. "Cecilia, please, come in."
Cecilia followed Arabella through the door, stepping into the softly lit room where Emily lay propped up in bed, looking distinctly fragile.
Upon noticing Cecilia's entrance, Emily made an attempt to sit up, but her strength was failing her. Her personal servant swiftly assisted, arranging pillows behind her back for support.
"Cecilia, I want to apologize to you in person. Pamela didn't mean to scratch you; this has never happened before," Emily's voice was tinged with sincerity and fatigue.
"Emily, please, it's alright. I know it wasn't intentional. There's no need to worry about it; it was merely an accident." Cecilia’s tone was forgiving and gentle, portraying her innate kindness.
Despite whatever might be true about Emily’s character, Cecilia remained unfazed.
"But I still feel awful about it," Emily said, her expression heartbreakingly sincere.
"Don't give it another thought," Cecilia reassured her with a warm smile. "Honestly, if you hadn't brought it up, I'd have forgotten about it entirely."
"You're so kind, Cecilia," Emily replied earnestly. Then she turned to Arabella. "Mom, could I have a moment alone with Cecilia?"
"Of course, my dear. I'm feeling a bit tired myself and could use a nap. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call." Arabella nodded, her willingness to oblige Emily's every request was evident.
Emily nodded obediently, and after offering a few words of politeness to Cecilia, Arabella departed.
The air shifted slightly as Emily also dismissed her servant, leaving the room tranquil and ostensibly more intimate.
Emily’s voice became almost a whisper, "Cecilia, Alaric has never officially recognized any woman as his girlfriend, not even Rebecca. I... I'm not saying Alaric and Rebecca..."
"I know." Cecilia responded serenely. "Rebecca was Alaric's ex-girlfriend."
"How do you know it?" Emily was a bit surprised.
"Rebecca told me herself."
"Aren't you angry about it?"
"No. That's all in the past. Besides, Alaric has had so many girlfriends. If I got angry at each one, I'd be furious all the time," Cecilia remarked with a small laugh.
"You're so understanding; no wonder Alaric is so fond of you," Emily said with an innocent smile.
Cecilia returned the smile, though her expression betrayed nothing. She knew Emily was trying to stir trouble by mentioning Rebecca.
"I'm so envious of you," Emily admitted with a sorrowful tone. "My mother has told me I'm not allowed to date or marry."
"Dating and marriage aren’t always as wonderful as they seem on the surface. If you end up with the wrong person, it can lead to a lifetime of regret," Cecilia consoled her.
"Now that you mention it, I feel grateful to have loving parents, supportive brothers, and kind sister-in-laws around me. That in itself is a blessing."
"And you should cherish that blessing," Cecilia said genuinely, her words carrying an implicit reminder.
"Yes." Emily nodded, seeming to absorb the advice. "Cecilia, could you get me a cup of hot cocoa?"
"Sure." Cecilia walked to the water dispenser, preparing a cup of hot cocoa and placing it on Emily’s bedside table.
"Thank you."
"We're family; no need for formalities."
Emily's sweet, considerate demeanor was almost disarming. "Talking with you has lifted my spirits. I'm feeling quite tired now and should rest."
"Then rest well. I'll leave now."
"Okay." Emily nodded.
Cecilia got up to leave.
As Cecilia turned to exit, Emily suddenly called out, "By the way, Cecilia..." Her hand reached out as if to grasp Cecilia's attention.
Cecilia, not particularly vigilant at that moment, turned back, inadvertently knocking the cup of scorching cocoa over. The boiling liquid cascaded onto Emily's hand.
"Ah!" Emily's scream pierced the air, a sound of both pain and shock.
Within moments, the room was teeming with concerned family members and staff, their faces etched with worry as they took in Emily's obvious distress.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
