Abandoned Luna Now Untouchable (Cecilia) novel Chapter 16

Cecilia

I curled up on the sofa after dinner, staring at my phone. The chat screen with Liam remained open, my fingers hovering uncertainly over the keyboard. I must have typed and deleted at least four different messages.

What was Sebastian Black’s game? First he gives me his measurements, then goes silent? Was this some kind of power play?

I sighed, tossing my phone aside. Whatever Sebastian’s intentions were, they hardly mattered. Beyond this unresolved suit situation, our lives would never intersect again.

Footsteps approached from outside the living room. I quickly closed the chat window and uncurled my legs, trying to look casual.

Xavier burst through the doorway, his face stormy. “Where are all your clothes?

Your shoes? Your jewelry? Your bags?” His voice was sharp, accusatory.

My heart stuttered in my chest.

Stay calm I whispered to myself.

But how did he find out? Why was he suddenly home early for dinner, then immediately checking our closets? Had someone been watching me?

“I took everything for cleaning and maintenance,” I replied, keeping my voice deliberately casual while projecting mild confusion. “The clothes and shoes are at the dry cleaner’s.”

“All of them? At once?” His eyes narrowed with suspicion.

I shrugged with practiced nonchalance. “T’ve been bored with nothing to do, so I decided to clean the house. I couldn’t remember which clothes I’d worn and which I hadn’t, so I just took everything to be cleaned. Same with the jewelry-diamonds lose their sparkle over time. The bags needed edge treatment. While I had the free time, I thought I’d get everything serviced.”

My explanation sounded reasonable, even to my own ears. I’d become quite proficient at these half-truths.

Xavier’s brow furrowed as he processed my words. The suspicion in his eyes gradually faded. He seemed to accept my explanation, likely remembering how I’d been busying myself around the house lately.

“You don’t need to rush,” he sald, his volce softening slightly, “You’re not going anywhere. You can take your time organizing.”

“Well, I want everything clean before our trip,” I replied smoothly, “Since I’ll be gone for a few days, I thought I’d leave everything tidy,”

Nothing about this statement was technically a lie, yet 1 saw how it unsettled him. Something in my tone, perhaps. His eyes drifted to the navy blue shopping bag on the sofa, and he reached for it.

“This is for me.”

“No!” 1 almost subconsciously rushed forward and reached out to block his about to touch the shopping bag.

The movement was too fast and almost brought up a gust of wind.

The air solidifies instantly.

Xavier’s face sank little by little, and his tentative smile peeled off like frost, his eyes as cold as a knife.

“It was for my father,” 1 quickly added, my voice was even smoother than I thought, but my chest was almost broken by a heartbeat.

The loss in his eyes came too quickly, almost caught people off guard. The annoyance and reluctance of being exposed to the fantasy flashed in his eyes, making people laugh.

“You bought something for your father, but didn’t prepare one for your mate?” He said with a depressed injury, as if I had done something unforgivable.

I looked at him coldly, my tone was calm but unquestionable,”Still planning to pick out another suit? Or are you thinking of borrowing one from Cici White’s closet? I hear her collection could put yours to shame.”

Xavier opened his mouth, but no words came out. For once, he looked like he might actually be out of clever retorts.

He stood there, his face stiff, as if he had been slapped in the face in public.

Before he could react, 1 grabbed the bag neatly, turned around and walked upstairs quickly, walked into the study room continuously, and closed the door.

The sound of the engine starting came downstairs, and a few seconds later, his car drove out of the lane.

It was not until the familiar sound of the engine completely disappeared from the distance that I let out a long breath, as if it had just floated out of the water.

Sunday brought beautiful weather, perfect for my pilgrimage.

I found myself wandering through the halls of the high school where Xavier and I had first met. Though it was the weekend, a few students in uniforms crossed the grounds, their laughter echoing across the campus.

My fingers trailed along weathered brick walls

as I visited each significant

spot: the classroom where we’d first locked eyes, the tree-lined path where we’d walked hand in hand, the track field where I’d cheered for him during every meet.

She is the one who should sit in this position.

“Why are you so angry? She has passed, you are mine now.” Cici came over again, his voice making me feel troubled.

My phone rang.

I picked it up, “Say.”

“Cecilia is out again today,” the other end of the phone was the stalker I arranged, and her tone was as steady as ever. “She went to your former high school and went to a high-end community called Lantern Garden. The security guards in that place were very strict and visitors could not enter unless the residents authorized in advance.”

“Have she been in?”

“I’ve been in. It should be allowed by the residents.”

My brows sank and my voice was cold: “Send me the address. Keep staring at her.”

I hung up the phone, and I stood by the window, clenched my fingers into fists.

How could she go there? high school? Lantern Garden? Didn’t she say she had already let it go?

Who did she meet?

I hate this feeling – out of control, I don’t know, it doesn’t belong to me.

She is mine. The marriage certificate is still there, her name, her ring, and her past are all mine. I can make mistakes and derail, but she can’t. She can only look at me, surround me, and belongs only to me.

I turned around and Cici pressed her back, wrapping her arms around my waist like an octopus.

“Why are you always staring at her?” She said with dissatisfaction and coquettishness, “You don’t love her anymore, right?” I pulled her hand away and looked at her with anger.

“Remake the proposal again. Be serious. If you don’t understand it, ask the department head.”

She was stunned and looked at me with wide eyes, “You ask me to ask…them?” I sneered, “They know better than you.”