Chapter 6 Promise Me One Condition

Cecilia stood in the entryway. "Who said you could come in?"

Her sudden words cut through the laughter in the room like a knife.

Corinne turned around and saw it was Cecilia. Not only did she not back down, she became even more arrogant, rushing up to her face. "Oh, the abandoned wife is back? That was quick. What's wrong, couldn't make it out there, so you want to come crawling back to my brother?"

Thea walked out of the bedroom, her tone weak and gentle. "Cecilia, don't get the wrong idea. Miles's mother just wants to help him get the new place ready in advance. After all... this apartment is where Miles and I will be living from now on."

"This is a gift property that Miles signed over." Cecilia pulled out a property certificate from her bag and threw it on the coffee table. "Now take your stuff and get out of my house."

Rosalind shot up from her seat, pointing at Cecilia's nose and cursing.

"You've got some nerve, don't you? A woman like you with no family background, no connections—what right do you have to occupy a Manhattan apartment? Get out right now!"

Corinne chimed in, "Look at yourself. A useless abandoned wife who can't do anything, and you think you can take a house from the Sterling family? Dream on!"

Cecilia directly called Miles.

"Miles, your mother and sister are making a scene in my apartment." Cecilia's voice was cold. "Get them out of here immediately, or I'm calling the police and reporting them for illegal trespassing."

On the other end of the line, there was noise in the background. Miles seemed to be with Thea's parents.

He sounded irritated. "Cecilia, stop making trouble. They just want to decorate the apartment in advance to make a good impression on Thea's parents. Go stay in a hotel for a few days. I'll cover all the expenses. And about the divorce paperwork—let's talk about it after I'm done with all this."

"Three days." Cecilia cut him off. "If you don't finish the divorce paperwork within three days, I'll have my lawyer draft a letter and file for divorce directly. And I'll send all those disgusting photos of you cheating to every media outlet in Manhattan. Now, get your people out."

"Are you threatening me?" Miles's tone turned sharp.

"You can try me." Cecilia hung up.

Seeing this, Rosalind gave a look to the two bodyguards with her. "What are you standing there for? Clear out everything that doesn't belong in this house!"

The bodyguards roughly stormed into the bedroom and threw Cecilia's unpacked suitcase and the backpack full of her sketches directly off the second-floor balcony.

"Get lost! The Sterling family doesn't need trash like you!" Corinne gave Cecilia a hard shove.

Cecilia stumbled out the door as it slammed shut behind her with a heavy thud.

BOOM!!!

The moment she stepped out of the building, the sky turned dark, thunder roared, and rain came pouring down.

The rain instantly soaked through her thin coat.

She looked up and saw the bright window on the top floor of the apartment building. Rosalind and Thea were holding coffee cups, their laughter seeming to pierce through the rain, mocking her misery.

Cecilia gave a bitter smile and wiped the rain from her face.

After three years of marriage, all she had left was this pathetic state.

Just then, a black Bentley slowly pulled up by the curb.

The car door opened, and a black custom umbrella unfolded.

Felix stepped out of the car, holding the umbrella handle firmly in his right hand. He walked over to Cecilia with long strides and held the umbrella steadily over her head, while half of his own broad shoulders remained exposed to the rain, instantly getting soaked.

"Get in."

Cecilia looked up at him.

When everyone else wanted nothing more than to kick her while she was down, this powerful man appeared at just the right moment, reaching out to help her.

She didn't refuse. With his strong support, she got into the warm car.

The heater was on full blast inside. Felix took a thick cashmere blanket from the back seat and wrapped it around Cecilia before she could refuse.

He didn't take her to a hotel, nor did he return to Knightley Manor. Instead, he brought her to a secluded private apartment.

When he opened the door, Cecilia froze.

The spacious living room was filled with various plaster sculptures and clay models.

Though the lines were somewhat rough, and some even carried a certain suppressed wildness, they struck straight to the heart.

"These are all Eloane's works."

Felix walked over to the cabinet, poured a glass of warm water and handed it to her, his eyes becoming distant. "These are her creations from a long time ago. After that kidnapping, she never picked up a carving knife again. She's even afraid to be around any unfamiliar men, including me... A lot of times she won't even talk to me."

Cecilia was about to ask more about Eloane's trauma when suddenly everything went dark. A strong wave of dizziness hit her.

The cold from the rain combined with her emotional turmoil finally took its toll on her body.

"Cecilia?" Felix noticed her swaying. His long arm reached out and caught her in his arms just before her head could hit the corner of the sofa.

Her forehead was burning hot.

"Cecilia!"

He didn't waste any time. He rushed out the door carrying her, while calling his private doctor and notifying Noelle.

...

Late at night, Lenox Hill Hospital, VIP ward.

Felix sat in a chair by the bed, watching over the sleeping Cecilia.

Until Noelle rushed in.

"How's Cecilia?" Noelle was sweating with worry. When she saw Felix keeping watch, she was startled at first, then relieved.

"The fever's gone, but she hasn't woken up yet." Felix's voice was hoarse.

The next morning, Cecilia slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Felix by her bedside.

"Thank you, Mr. Knightley." Her voice was weak.

Felix handed her some warm water. "Feeling better?"

Cecilia's voice was hoarse. She struggled to sit up. "Mr. Knightley, could you help me look for rental listings nearby? It doesn't need to be big, as long as I can move in soon."

She looked at Felix, her attitude firm. "I need to completely get rid of that trash and start over."

Felix stared at her, at that look of refusing to depend on anyone, and said, "I've already found you a place, but in exchange, you have to agree to one condition."