When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2029

Denise took a moment, then said, “I had no choice. I’m my parents’ only child. If I don’t look after them, who will?”

If I could, I’d be irresponsible—let them fend for themselves, and spare myself all this fatigue. Being unfilial would at least mean I could rest.

Yet she couldn’t cross that line, and the real reason she kept paying for their treatment was simple.

I just can’t live without them. If they truly left this world, I wouldn’t have a reason to keep living either.

“I understand,” Magnus murmured, nodding.

Denise was about to step inside when she realized he was still holding her hand.

She slipped free, cheeks warm, and asked with a teasing lift of her brow, “Magnus, why the sudden present? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me?”

At her words, Magnus’ face went crimson, as though scorched.

He jumped back defensively. “Quit joking! Why would I like you? I prefer gentle women. Can’t friends give each other presents?”

“Oh, okay.” Denise chuckled. “So long as you haven’t fallen for me.”

She walked into the room, set water to boil, poured herself a cup, and poured one for Magnus, too.

Magnus stared at her, momentarily at a loss, and asked, “Why do you think it’s enough to just say you don’t like me?”

Denise smiled again, yet this time every trace of the smile tasted of bitterness.

“What other reason could there be? My family’s situation is terrible, while you’re the privileged heir of a powerful family. We’re completely mismatched. Besides, you really are handsome, and someone as plain as I am could never stand next to you on equal footing.”

After saying all of that, she worried Magnus might spiral into wild guesses, so she hurriedly added, “And most importantly, I don’t like men like you. If I ever choose a partner, it’ll be a man who’s mature and able to shoulder real problems.”

Outside, in the dead of night, a frigid wind whistled through the darkness.

A man who’s mature and able to shoulder real problems. Am I not mature enough? Can’t I carry my share of the weight?

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