When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2049

Jocelyn closed the taxi door, slipped her key into the new lock, and pushed. The door sighed open, revealing a hush so wide it seemed to swallow her footsteps.

She thought Yannick must still be at work, so she didn't give him a call.

She settled onto the couch, pulled the slender gold card Nicholas had given her from her coat, and nested it deep inside her purse like a secret.

She then sent Yannick a message: "I found Nicholas. He's safe—I'm home."

Assured he knew her whereabouts, Jocelyn had nothing left to do. She cleaned every surface until it shone, then dozed through the long afternoon. As evening crept in, she tied an apron, chopped vegetables, and filled the table with dishes meant for two.

Minutes stretched into an hour; steam faded, and the food lay cooling under the kitchen light. Worried, she dialed Yannick.

At that moment, Yannick had just reached his destination, phone vibrating in his palm with Jocelyn's name flashing across the screen.

He had seen her earlier text, felt a knot of frustration tighten, and chosen silence. Now, after a pause heavy enough to hear his own breath, he accepted the call.

"Jocelyn." Yannick's voice sounded lower than usual.

"Yannick, you're not home yet? Still working overtime?" She spoke quickly, unable to hide the worry hitching each word.

He stared at a sky the color of bruised copper while fresh snow cracked beneath his boots. It felt colder than it should have in the early evening. "Yeah... an unexpected business trip came up. I'm out of town and won't be back for a while."

"Oh—okay." Her disappointment slipped through before she could catch it. "Just stay safe, get some rest, and don't push yourself too hard."

Her concern tangled inside him. He crouched by a frozen embankment and, without thinking, tore at brittle weeds stabbing through the ice.

"I know," he murmured.

"Then I'll let you go so you can work," she said, already lifting the phone from her ear.

"Wait." His voice sharpened. "I'm actually not that busy—stay on the line with me for a bit."

"Why are you suddenly apologizing?" Yannick asked, the words spilling out before he could steady his voice. He forced a shaky smile, yet something sharp twisted beneath his ribs. If she is softening me up to say she wants out, one more breath will tear me apart.

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