Chapter 1942


    All summer long, Cicely was practically a fixture at the Diaz residence.


    Her presence in Seth''s room was as constant as the daylight. Every corner bore her mark: her


    pillow nestled on the bed, the plushie she clutched in her sleep, a stash of her clothes tucked away


    in the closet, and even her go-to shampoo and body wash imed a spot in the bathroom. Fresh


    flowers, handpicked daily, adorned the desk alongside an assortment of knick-knacks, while her


    study books leaned against his favored novels.


    Usually, the invasion went unnoticed, but the silence that filled the room after she left spoke


    volumes. Seth would look around, and everywhere he turned, there was Cicely.


    Even in moments of solitude, as he tried to immerse himself in a book, the soft ttering of desk


    ornaments disrupted the quiet, refusing to let him settle.


    Cicely''s absence was as loud as her presence.


    Seth eventually pushed his book aside, slumped into his chair, and gazed at the little trinkets


    scattered across his table. His dark eyes betrayed no emotion.d2


    --


    Girls of a simr age often became fast friends, but Cicely and Danielle''s rtionship was far from


    that, despite living under the same roof. Their interactions were limited, reserved for only the most


    necessary of exchanges.


    With an extra child in the mix, Creighton naturally kept a close eye on Danielle, ensuring she got her


    fair share of everything Cicely had. Even more, on multiple asions, Creighton had taken Cicely


    aside to encourage her to look after Danielle, to give way when needed, reminding her that Danielle


    was new to all this, that being peers, they should naturally gravitate towards each other.


    Perhaps it was Cicely''s innate rebellious streak, her dislike for her father''s attention towards any girl


    but her, or maybe it was the jealousy of Danielle''s longer history with Seth. Whatever the reason, or


    reasons, she nodded to her dad’s words, but her actions remained unchanged.


    Danielle was aware of Cicely''s visits to the Diaz''s to see Seth. She found out the day Cicely


    returned from there for the first time. She hadn''t asked; it was during dinner when Cicely, absent-


    mindedly ying with her food, suddenly threw out a question, "You think Seth''s a bit weird? His


    room has chairs but no desk. What''s up with that?"


    Danielle didn''t know why she asked, but she genuinely didn''t have a clue. "Maybe he hasn''t found


    the right desk yet?"


    Cicely shed a rare smile, "Really?"


    At that moment, Danielle remembered something and looked up, "You went into his room?"


    Cicely mumbled a vague affirmation, "He was tutoring me."


    Danielle’s grip tightened around her fork. Seth never liked people invading his room. It was the


    same abroad. Danielle remembered being turned away at his doorstep, his face stern and


    unweing. Sheter learned about his peculiar habits from his mother and never stepped foot in


    his room again.


    Over the years, Danielle hade to respect his boundaries, but she never imagined Cicely would


    shatter them so effortlessly.


    Not just once, but all summer long.


    Cicely would leave the house carrying things and return empty-handed. Danielle didn''t have to


    guess where those things ended up.


    Pillows, throw cushions, stuffed animals, clothes, shampoos, body washes...


    Danielle thought bitterly that Cicely might as well move in with him, and no one would bat an eye.


    Was he that indulgent with Cicely?


    Everyone adored Cicely, and cherished her.


    Danielle had thought Cicely was the beloved princess of the Ellis family, pretty and sweet, winning


    favor of family with her charm, but it seemed everyone loved her, Seth included.


    --


    School was starting in two days, and after dinner one night, a call came from grandfather, who had


    been convalescing at home for over two months after a tragic loss of his dear son.


    Creighton hung up and informed Cicely and Danielle that Grandfather Ellis would join them for lunch


    the next day.


    That meant no visit to Seth''s ce. Cicely felt a pang of disappointment.


    Danielle''s face turned pale, her hands nervously twisting together, her eyes filled with panic.


    Creighton stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly. "Don''t worry,


    you''re the Ellis family’s granddaughter, just like Cicely. You''re a good girl. He will love you."


    Danielle wasn''t sure if Grandpa would like her. She only knew that he didn''t care for her mother, had


    never acknowledged her as a daughter inw, even after her mother passed away. Auntie Patty had


    been angry when she spoke of it, and Danielle still didn''t quite understand why.


    Cicely plucked two strawberries from the fruit bowl and headed upstairs. Once in her room, she


    pulled out her phone from beneath her pillow and dialed Seth''s number. The phone rang for ages,


    and Cicely could almost picture it, ringing out in his room, him unmoved as he finished the page he


    was on before picking up. Sometimes she wondered if she was the only one who ever called him,


    and that was why he was sockadaisical about answering.


    Finally, the call connected. Seth''s crisp voice came through, "What''s up?"


    Cicely flopped onto her bed, fiddling with her plushie''s ear, a touch sullen. "I can''t make it over


    tomorrow. Do not bother to make my favorite dishes."


    There was a subtle shift in Seth''s brow, though his tone remained t. "Alright."


    Cicely frowned, "Aren''t you gonna ask why?"


    After a brief pause, his voice remained even, "Why?"


    Cicely''s irritation red at the dismissive tone, but she still replied, "Grandpa''sing over."


    Seth hesitated for a moment before responding nonchntly.


    Taking a deep breath, Cicely hung up, squeezing the plushie''s ear in frustration. "Like kicking at the


    air and expecting a reaction." she muttered, exasperated.


    Seth tossed his phone onto the bed and stood in silence for a few seconds before turning and


    heading downstairs with a ss of water in hand.


    The maid was deep in discussion with the other housekeepers about the next day''s menu, while


    Patty was engrossed in the news on the living room TV. She made a point of being present at the


    company every day. Even though Creighton had appointed a managing director she could trust, she


    felt the need to stay in the loop.


    In reality, she was more of a figurehead. The financial reports made her head spin, and she ended


    up tossing the month-end summaries to the managing director, who then forwarded the data to


    Creighton for confirmation.


    It would be more urate to say that thepany was an extension of the Ellis family.


    But Patty''s attitude toward the whole situation was weird. She wasn''t fond of the Ellis family, yet she


    trusted Creighton implicitly.


    When she saw Sething down, she barely gave him a nce.


    Seth walked straight into the dining room and offhandedly said, "Keep lunch simple tomorrow.


    Cicely won’t be able to make it."


    The maid acknowledged with a nod.


    As Seth walked out of the dining room, Patty suddenly called after him. "I heard that girl is skipping


    a grade at school?"


    Seth paused, responding with a nomittal "Hmm."


    After a brief silence, Patty probed further, "She''s noting tomorrow. Why?"


    Seth nced at her coolly, "It’s not my ce to know every little detail of her life."


    Patty leaned back on the couch with crossed arms, her face expressionless. "Thepany has


    always been under the Ellis family''s wing. They all dote on their little princess. It''s best to stay in her


    good graces. That girl has a will of her own, and few can handle her. It''s rare that she likes you."


    "I think I''m ready to get involved with thepany now."


    "That doesn''t conflict with keeping her happy."


    Seth said nothing more and headed upstairs.


    Patty''s voice echoed after him, "Seth, Danielle’s new to the Ellis family, and she''s feeling sensitive.


    Don''t neglect her too much; she''s always listened to you."


    Seth''s expression tightened, but he didn''t respond to Patty.


    --


    The Ellis family patriarch arrived promptly at nine the next morning.


    Danielle, wearing a dress that Creighton had arranged for her, stood nervously behind him.


    Erik''s face bore no trace of a smile, his lips pressed in a tight line and his brows furrowed—an aura


    of inherent authority surrounding him.


    Danielle had spent the whole night pondering how to face this so-called grandfather. He was her


    flesh and blood, yet he disliked her mother. She feltpelled to despise him, but respect was due,


    and yet, respecting him felt like betraying her mistreated mother. Unable to find a bnce, she was


    at a loss on how to confront this "grandfather."


    Now, as she faced his formidable presence, she found herself more anxious and frightened than


    resentful.


    Creighton led her to Erik, "Dad, this is Danielle, Henry’s daughter. Danielle, call him Grandpa."


    Thirteen-year-old Danielle, overwhelmed and uncertain, barely whispered, "Grandpa." Her voice


    was tiny, filled with trepidation and alienation.


    Erik observed her for a moment before shifting his gaze to Creighton. "Where''s Cicely?"


    Danielle pursed her lips.


    Creighton sighed softly, his frustration unclear if it was due to his father’s coldness toward Danielle


    or the way Cicely could exasperate him. "That girl, I told her to get up early."


    Erik red at Creighton, "Why bother? Do you want hering down with bed hair and giving me


    attitude? You''re spoiling her!"


    Despite his stern words, there was a hint of indulgence in his tone.


    Once seated in the living room, Erik turned his attention back to Danielle. "Come here."


    Danielle looked at Creighton, who gave her a reassuring pat on the head.


    She approached cautiously, and Erik scrutinized her up close. After a long sigh, he said sternly,


    "You needn''t be nervous or restrained. The Ellis family is your home. Just like Cicely, you are an


    Ellis daughter. The shares your father holds will be yours someday. If you want something, just say


    it. No one will dare slight you. Understand?" Erik''smands were as cold as his face.


    Danielle could only nod.


    Cicely descended the stairs, overhearing the exchange. "Grandpa, I''m jealous," she pouted.


    Danielle watched as the old man’s stern face broke into a childlike grin at the sound of Cicely''s


    voice. "Did you sleep well?"


    Cicely shook her head and nestled beside her grandfather, wrapping his arm in a hug. "I was so


    excited about your visit I couldn''t sleep. You shoulde unannounced next time, Grandpa. That


    way, I can get my beauty sleep, and it''ll be a lovely surprise to wake up to you."


    "Cicely!" Creighton was exasperated. She really had no sense of restraint.


    Yet, Erik chuckled, "Alright, next time I''ll sneak in for a visit."


    Creighton shook his head, lips pressed tight. He wondered how much of Cicely''s personality came


    from the other family members.


    --


    Erik was especially kind to Danielle. It was no surprise to the Ellis family, only to Danielle herself.


    Oh, perhaps she wasn’t the only one.


    Erik spent the morning inquiring about Danielle''s past, and she answered each question as best she


    could. In summary, she had lived with Patty and Seth for as long as she could remember, and Patty


    had always treated her well.


    After lunch, the old man suggested, "You should move into the family estate and live with me from


    now on."


    Danielle was taken aback, instinctively ncing at Creighton.


    Creighton intervened, "Dad, let Danielle stay here. She and Cicely are close in age, and with


    school, it''s easier for pick-up and drop-off. There''s no need to uproot her."


    Erik let out a deep sigh. "That being said, don''t you think it might be time to consider moving back to


    the family estate with Cicely?"


    Creighton''s expression darkened ever so slightly.


    In the end, Danielle chose to stay.


    That afternoon, as everyone had seen Erik off, they encountered Seth at the entrance of the estate.


    He stood there, in a simple shirt and ck trousers, immactely poised as dappled sunlight


    filtered through the dense sycamore leaves above, casting mottled shadows upon him.


    A figure of solitary grace, his good looks were striking.


    Cicely was surprised to see him and ran over, looking up, "What brings you here?"


    Seth greeted Erik and Creighton with due respect. His gaze lingered on Danielle, who stood by


    Creighton''s side, before indifferently shifting away.


    Erik''s eyes studied Seth for a long moment, something flickering in his gaze. "And who might this


    be?"


    Creighton replied, "He''s the son of Tod."


    Erik pondered for a moment, "From the Diaz n?"


    "Yes."


    Nodding towards Seth, Erik said, "Not bad."


    Without further ado, his gaze drifted to Cicely standing beside Seth, a thoughtful smirk curving his


    lips.


    Cicely, slightly irritated, tugged at a button on Seth''s shirt. "I asked you why you''re here out of the


    blue?"


    Seth gave her a nce as his driver stepped out of the car and handed him a tote bag. Taking it,


    Seth passed it to Cicely, "Here."


    Her confusionsted only a moment before joy took over. "You came all this way just to give me...


    what is this?!" Expecting something delightful, her pretty face crumpled in disappointment upon


    seeing the contents.


    A barely perceptible smile touched Seth''s lips as he replied in a tone cool and steady, "Your


    homework for today."


    "You came all this way just to drop off homework? Aren''t you the model teacher, Mr. Seth." Cicely


    was tempted to throw the bag down and stomp on it.


    "What else were you expecting?"


    Hugging her books, Cicely snorted.


    Danielle watched them, her heart tight with tension. Was this the Seth she knew? The remote,


    indifferent Seth used to be remote and indifferent, keeping everyone at arm''s length and having no


    time for pointless chit-chat. Yet, here he was, allowing Cicely into his room, tutoring her personally,


    and now teasing her?


    Cicely... Everyone treated her differently.


    Erik said she was like Cicely, a diamond of the Ellis family, but it was crystal clear, the affection he


    had for Cicely.


    "Why are we just standing here? Aren''t we going inside?" Cicely asked.


    Seth slid his hands into his pockets, "No, I should be heading back."


    Cicely''s brows drew together, "You''vee all this way."


    Seth ignored her protest and walked toward his car.


    She knew his stubborn ways. Just as she was about to storm off, Danielle called out. "Seth."


    Cicely paused, turning to look. Danielle had chased down Seth.


    Cicely brows furrowed, but Creighton blocked her view, patting her head gently, "Let''s go, shall we?


    Aren''t we headed back?"


    Cicely saw Seth stop and turn, his gaze falling onto Danielle. "What''s up?"


    Creighton took Cicely''s hand.


    Danielle stood silent for a long while, then looked up at him cautiously, "I haven''t seen you in a


    while. You seemed busy all summer."


    Seth stared at her, silent for a time, then, ncing at the retreating figure of Cicely being led away


    by Creighton, he said slowly, "The Ellis family has been good to you, I presume."


    Danielle bit her lip, "Yes." Just,pared to Cicely, she felt like an outsider in the Ellis family.


    "That''s good to hear." With those words, Seth turned to leave, but his shirt was abruptly tugged. He


    frowned, looking down at the hand clinging to his shirt, which looked like it had mustered great


    courage not to retreat under his icy stare. "Something else?"


    Danielle bit her lip harder, wanting to ask why he tutored Cicely, why he let her into his room, and


    why she was different to him.


    But she couldn’t. She knew him, so she knew Seth disliked being questioned.


    "Did youe today just to deliver Cicely''s homework in person?"


    After a few seconds of silence, Seth''s voice came cold and detached. "Let go."


    --


    Cicely nced back and saw Danielle gripping Seth''s shirt. Her already sour expression grew


    darker.


    She stopped, wanting to turn back, but Creighton held her tighter. "Cicely, don''t make a scene."


    Cicely looked up sharply at Creighton, "A scene? Who allowed Danielle to touch him?"


    Creighton sighed, "Cicely, they''ve grown up together. If we''re talking about affection, you can''t


    compare to their history. Why do you think he came here today?"


    Cicely''s brows knotted fiercely. She stepped back, looking up at Creighton with clear, forceful words.


    "To deliver my homework, of course."


    With lips pressed tight, Creighton said, "Let''s head back."


    Cicely shook off his hand and stared at Seth and Danielle. After a long moment, she approached


    them with a stony expression, the tote bag still in her arms. She looked very calm to Creighton.


    "Seth."


    Approaching them, Cicely saw Seth and Danielle standing in silence as if they hadn''t been talking.


    Seth looked at her, stepped back, and closed the car door. Danielle''s hand fell away, empty.


    "What is it?" asked Seth, his tone even.


    Cicely looked up at him and took a deep breath, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Did you really


    come here today just to give me homework?"


    Seth''s gaze narrowed as he quietly watched her almost-smiling face. The breeze, warm with the


    scent of summer, caught her light skirt and yed with her hair, which she had casually twisted into


    a messy bun atop her head. Her features were delicate and precise, her skin perfect and smooth.


    Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a pattern upon her that swayed with the gentle


    wind, her presence tranquil and seemingly weightless, as if she could be carried away at any


    moment.


    Seth remained silent, his eyes tracking the increasingly evident smile on Cicely''s face while the


    wind yed with the loose strands of hair framing her cheeks.


    "What''s the problem? It''s a simple yes or no question. Is it that hard to answer?"


    "I was in the neighbourhood."


    Cicely still wore a smile, but a chill undeid her gaze. She was silent for a long moment, eyeing the


    man whose expression remained unaltered, then arched an eyebrow. "So, what''s the real reason


    you''re here today?"


    Seth gave her a cursory nce, then turned to open his car door again.


    With a loud "bang," Cicely''s backpack struck the car door, and in turn, Seth''s hand. It was filled with


    heavy textbooks and notebooks, the thud testifying to their weight. Now, the bagy on the ground,


    its contents scattered.


    Danielle stepped back in shock. Snapping out of it, she quickly reached for Seth''s injured hand.


    "Seth, are you alright?"


    Cicely''s face stiffened for a moment, and seeing Danielle''s gesture, it darkened further. She stepped


    forward, yanking Danielle away while raising her other hand. But her wrist was caught mid-air with a


    force that sent a sharp pain through her entire body, the ache so intense it made her scalp tingle.


    She turned to look at Seth, her face paling.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Seth''s expression was dark, and for the first time, his eyes held a chilling sharpness. "What are you


    trying to do?"


    Cicely felt a sudden sting in her heart. Ever since Seth entered her life, she had been introduced to


    a host of strange emotions.


    The happiness was because of him, the consuming thoughts were about him, and that recent


    feeling was also for him. She didn''t want to categorize that feeling just now as grief or sadness.


    Cicely had always been coddled and cherished. If she were to feel sorrow, where would that leave


    the adoration of her grandfather, her father, the love everyone showered upon her?


    All the efforts people made to please her, to make her happy, what had Seth done to so easily


    render their contributions worthless?


    "What exactly are you trying to stop me from doing?" She moved her hand, the pain sharpening, her


    complexion growing paler.


    "Let go of me." Even her words came out in a stifled breath.


    Seth''s frown deepened at the sight of her pallor, and he released her wrist.


    Cicely covered her wrist with her other hand, a fine sweat breaking out on her forehead. She


    nced at Danielle, who had taken a few steps back, eyeing her warily.


    "Danielle, if you''ve forgotten what I told you on your first day at the Ellis mansion, let me remind you


    now. Seth is my man, now and in the future. Don''t y dumb or innocent with me. Even kids know


    what dating, marriage, and being ''the other woman'' means. You two may have lived together in the


    past, but now, I, Cicely, have staked a im on his future. So you better understand your ce,


    have some dignity, and stay away from someone else''s man. This is a warning. Next time, I won''t


    be so gentle."


    Danielle stared at her in disbelief.


    Cicely held her chin high, dering her territory with tant arrogance.


    Seth watched Cicely''s slender silhouette. Those words, so few could utter them. Only Cicely of the


    Ellis family, spoiled to the point ofwlessness, could be so brazen.


    "Who said I''m yours? What gives you the right to n my life?"


    Cicely turned around, her eyes meeting his, void of her usual smile. "Seth, I''m very upset right now,


    and I advise you not to provoke me further."


    Her tone was even, herposure seemingly intact, but it was a calcted coolness, a testament


    to her status as the Ellis family''s princess, each word dripping with superiority.


    Seth''s response was a sardonic smile. "And what would be the consequence?"


    Cicely extended the hand he had just been holding, "You hurt me just now, and you''ve made me


    angry. I''m not happy, and I''m giving you a chance to make it right."


    He looked at her impassively. "Hitting someone makes you happy?"


    Her eyes blinked rapidly, and she drew back her arm. "So are you defending her against me now?"


    "If that p hadnded, maybe that would have been the end of it."


    Danielle''s legs suddenly gave way, and she leaned against the car for support. Seth''s words


    sounded cold and unemotional, but why did she sense a deep fondness in his voice?


    That the p might have ended it—was he denying that he was seeking justice for her? Or


    perhaps, his initial intervention was not to prevent the p because he didn''t want their rtionship


    to be even more strained?


    Maybe she had misunderstood. Anyone would think that Seth was protecting her.