chapter 98

It was an irresistible force. The calm and composed conversation Eileen had initially planned was now as distant as the farthest reaches of the continent.

 

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stem the tide of her tears. A surge of complex emotions overwhelmed her. She had barely gathered the courage to ask Cesare a question, but standing before him, fear seized her.

 

This was the door she had once knocked on until her hands were sore, only for it to remain shut. She feared he might ignore her, dismissing her questions as impertinent.

 

But the door had opened. Cesare's first concern was for her well-being. The tenderness in his voice as he asked if she had been crying was almost more than she could bear.

 

As she sniffled, overcome with emotion, Cesare gently pulled her into his arms. He held her close, tilting her chin so she couldn't hide her face, and looked at her with quiet concern.