Chapter 77

Nathaniel's breath hitched hard, and he couldn't get another word out. She was right. He was the one who hurt her, from start to finish. "I..." He lowered his head, voice hoarse, "Let me drive you home." Cecily didn't even look at him, just stood up and walked straight out. Nathaniel reached out, grabbing her by the arm. Right then, the overly chatty doctor pushed the door open again. This doctor clearly wasn't new to awkward scenes. He glanced at the man suddenly beside Cecily, shrugged like it was nothing, and teased, "Just a gentle reminder, folks-this is my clinic, not your private soap opera set." Cecily flushed instantly. Even someone as seasoned as Nathaniel looked mildly embarrassed and let go. The doctor did a quick follow-up check on Cecily. Confirming there was nothing serious, he told her she could leave. Maybe because tonight had resurfaced memories neither of them wanted to revisit, Nathaniel stayed silent the whole way driving Cecily home-polite almost to a fault. Cecily