Chapter 2040

Nathaniel did not rush her away. He stayed until every loose thread at Jamieson Group was knotted tight, and only then boarded the plane at her side.

At Tudela Airport, Charlotte had been pacing the arrivals hall long before the flight landed.

“Cecilia!” she called, waving both arms the instant she spotted them.

Cecilia slipped her hand free of Nathaniel’s, dashed across the polished floor, and wrapped Charlotte in an embrace fierce enough to chase off the lingering chill of cemeteries and boardrooms alike.

Nathaniel’s hands were suddenly empty. He watched Cecilia and Charlotte lean into each other, laughter and whispered confidences circling them like warm light. Jealousy pricked the back of his throat-sharp, metallic, impossible to swallow.

Cecilia angled toward Charlotte, her voice gentling. “How’ve you been holding the company together on your own lately?”

Charlotte lifted her chin in a quick, brave nod. “Pretty good, actually-nothing I couldn’t manage.”