Chapter 298: Never Again
The conversation carried on for a while longer, drifting effortlessly from one lighthearted topic to another. Laughter came easily, and before anyone realized it, time had quietly slipped away.
It wasn’t until Dahlia happened to check the time that any of them realized it was already a quarter past midnight.
Reluctantly, the little gathering finally came to an end.
Harper, Maya, and Jaime bid Cecilia goodnight before making their way back toward the estate. As Cecilia prepared to leave, Dahlia offered to walk her to the front entrance.
The two women walked side by side beneath the soft glow of the garden lanterns. The only sounds accompanying them were the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant trickle of the koi pond.
For a long while, silence stretched comfortably between them until Cecilia finally gathered the courage to speak.
Drawing in a trembling breath, she quietly said, “They both remind me so much of their mother.”
At the mention of Malia, Dahlia’s lips curved into an unconscious smile.
“I know,” she said softly. “I see Malia in them every day.”
Cecilia hummed softly before letting out a quiet sigh.
“Maya looks so much like her.” Her eyes grew distant with nostalgia. “Even the way love looks on her.” A bittersweet smile touched her lips. “I remember seeing that exact same look on Malia’s face whenever she talked about Julian.”
The memory tightened something deep inside her chest.
There had been a time when Malia would excitedly tell her and Tobias everything about Julian–the little things that made her smile, the dreams they shared, the future she imagined with the man she loved.
Cecilia had always listened with a smile.
Tobias had not.
Time and again, he had dismissed those innocent conversations with the same cold certainty.
“Julian will never be good enough for you.”
“You’re just wasting your time.”
“Forget him. He’s not one of us.”
“I will never allow it.”
Little by little, the joy in Malia’s eyes had faded, replaced by disappointment and quiet heartbreak.
A painful lump rose in Cecilia’s throat. She swallowed against it, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.
< Chapter 298: Never Again
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She had watched that light slowly fade from her daughter’s eyes once before, and she had done nothing to stop it until it was replaced by disappointment, pain, and quiet resentment.
Never again.
She would never allow that same light to fade from her granddaughter’s eyes.
Pushing those painful memories aside, Cecilia let out a slow breath before a small smile returned to her lips.
“And Jaime…” She shook her head with quiet amusement. “I can’t deny that I see Tobias in him. He’s so expressive. Whatever he’s thinking, it comes straight out of his mouth”
Dahlia smiled knowingly.
“He certainly is,” she said with a soft laugh.
Cecilia let out a soft chuckle. Then another thought crossed her mind.
Her smile slowly faded as she hesitated for a moment.
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“And his love for technology… She glanced at Dahlia. “I’m assuming he inherited that from his father?”
Dahlia nodded with a smile.
“He did. Julian was just as passionate about technology, and Jaime definitely inherited that curiosity from
him.”
A fond smile spread across her face.
“He’s incredibly smart and surprisingly mature for his age. He never hesitates to speak his mind, and I must admit, Eleanor and I are constantly amazed by how he manages to keep Charles and Dominic on
their toes.”
She chuckled, clearly growing more animated as she spoke.
“Everyone at home absolutely adores the two of them. They’re kind, thoughtful, polite, and incredibly considerate. It didn’t take long for Maya and Jaime to capture everyone’s hearts.”
Cecilia listened quietly, a genuine smile resting on her lips. Hearing how deeply Maya and Jaime were loved, and how their kindness had won the hearts of everyone around them, filed her with pride.
At the same time, she couldn’t deny the quiet envy stirring in her heart.
Not because she resented Dahlia or the Blackwoods, but because they had been there to witness the moments she had lost forever.
It was the natural consequence of the choices she had made. She had no one to blame but herself.
She should have been the one telling those stories, not listening to someone else tell them.
Yet strangely, Cecilia found herself unable to feel bitter.
If anything, she was grateful.
Grateful that when she and Tobias had failed them, someone else had stepped forward to love her grandchildren as family. The two women eventually reached the estate’s front gates, where Cecilia’s waiting vehicle sat quietly beneath the glow of the lanterns. The moment they stepped outside the estate gates, the chauffeur waiting beside the parked vehicle immediately straightened. Seeing Cecilla approach, he stepped forward and opened the rear door for her. Just before getting in, Cecilia stopped. Turning back, she reached out and gently took both of Dahlia’s hands into hers, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Dahlia…” Her voice trembled with emotion. “Thank you. Truly… thank you.” n The tears she had been holding back finally spilled over, slipping quietly down her cheeks. “Thank you for loving Maya and Jaime as your own, and for giving me the chance to meet them.” Her lips quivered into a grateful smile. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.” Dahlia smiled and gave Cecilia’s hands a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t owe me anything, Lady Cecilia. I simply did what any mother should.” Her smile softened. “Malia is no longer here to protect her children, so until they no longer need me… I’ll gladly do it in her place.” Cecília pressed her lips together, struggling to keep her composure. Dahlia continued gently, “None of this has ever been about bloodlines… or family names… or centuries of tradition.” “It’s about two young people who never asked to be born into the circumstances they inherited.” “They deserve to live freely. They deserve to love without carrying the burdens of our generation. “If we truly love them…” Dahlia smiled warmly. “…then it’s our responsibility to make sure they inherit a better future than the one we did.” Cecilia stared at Dahlia for several long moments. In her tear–filled eyes, there was no pride, no denial, and no attempt to justify the past. Only sincerity, deep remorse, and the quiet resolve of someone determined not to make the same mistake twice. Finally… Cecilia nodded. “I know.” There was no hesitation left in her voice. Only quiet conviction. The words lingered between them for a few moments before Cecilia lowered her gaze. She seemed to wrestle with herself, as though debating whether she had the right to ask for anything more After a long pause, she drew in a shaky breath. “I… I want to be there tomorrow.” 22 Comments Cedella Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.