When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2036

Elena stood ramrod-straight, fingers carving crescents into her palms as restrained fury pulsed beneath her tailored sleeves. "Nathaniel is my son. If your heart feels nothing, mine does. Keeping him tethered to that old fox Robert only cuts him deeper each day."

Across the room， Wren tasted humiliation like iron on his tongue. With Nathaniel, Cecilia, and the children present, pride slipped from his shoulders and landed on the polished floor for everyone to see.

He waved his hand. "Enough. The children are here—stop this. You were never like this before."

A pause later, he added, "Lately, you sound like some unreasonable shrew who lives to scold."

Elena's blood seemed to freeze. Only the children's wide eyes kept her from unleashing words sharp enough to draw real blood.

Nathaniel finally spoke, calm yet resolute. "Dad, Mom makes sense. If Uncle Robert and his family attend the next dinner, don't invite us."

Wren blinked, stunned that even his son had taken Elena's side.

"You and Mom are divorced now. Please watch your words," Nathaniel added.

Elena's eyes glimmered. The earlier sting vanished, replaced by a rush of grateful warmth. All those years of raising him and taking care of him were worth it.

Wren rubbed a hand over his mouth, suddenly lost for any answer.

"Mom, Dad, if there's nothing else, Cecilia and I will head home."

"Go on then," Elena said softly. "Spend some time with Paula while you can."

Wren managed a mute nod.

"Grandpa, Grandma, goodbye!" Jonathan and Elliot waved their small hands, voices bright as bells.

"Goodbye," their grandparents echoed, the word hanging heavier than it sounded.

After Nathaniel's family disappeared down the corridor, Elena no longer wished to linger in a house thick with unfinished arguments.

"Elena, how long will you keep this up?" Wren called, desperation cracking through his composure.

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