Chapter 7 Useless Daughter

Usually, even without her hearing aid, Cecilia could still pick up faint sounds. She fumbled to get up, grabbed the medicine on the nightstand, and popped one into her mouth. It was bitter and dry. After leaving Daltonia Villa, where she had lived for the past three years, she first went home. However, just as she reached the doorway, she overheard Paula and Magnus talking. “Why did I give birth to such a useless daughter? It’s been three years, and Nathaniel still hasn’t touched her! She’s not even considered a complete woman, and now she’s thinking about divorce.” Paula’s angry words felt like daggers stabbing into Cecilia’s heart. She couldn’t understand. In Paula’s eyes, what counted as a complete woman? Was it receiving her husband’s affection? Or perhaps bearing children? Magnus’ words were even more piercing. “She doesn’t even seem like she’s part of the Smith family. I heard from people outside that Nathaniel’s first love is back. Even if she doesn’t get divorced, she’ll end up being kicked out. Given that, we might as well plan for the future. Didn’t Mr. Larke’s wife recently die? Even with her hearing problems, Cecilia is more than a match for that old man in his eighties…” As Cecilia recalled those hurtful words, her gaze turned hollow. She tried hard not to dwell on them. Picking up her phone, she noticed an unread message. Instinctively, she thought it might be from Nathaniel. When she clicked on it, it was actually from Norman. Norman had written: Ceci, I’ve already handed the transfer agreement to Nathaniel, but his attitude wasn’t good. Moving forward, you should focus more on yourself. Cecilia typed a response: Thank you. I will. After sending the message, Cecilia felt a moment of emptiness. She wanted to return the assets she had to Nathaniel, not because of some noble gesture, but simply because she didn’t want to owe him anything more. Unfortunately, she couldn’t gather the same amount of assets as stated in the prenup, so she might carry the label of fraud for the rest of her life. Even though Cecilia had gone two days without eating, she didn’t even feel hungry. It was just that everything around her had become too quiet. The silence was suffocating. She had put on her hearing aids and taken her medicine, but why couldn’t she hear anything? Afraid that Nathaniel might call to arrange their divorce proceedings and she wouldn’t hear it, Cecilia headed to a nearby hospital for a checkup. The doctor performed a basic examination and discovered dried blood in her ear canal. That day, after receiving treatment, Cecilia’s hearing gradually returned. “What’s going on? How long has this condition persisted?” the doctor asked. Cecilia answered truthfully, “I’ve had a hearing impairment since birth.” The doctor looked at the girl before him, still in her early twenties and in her prime. When she had walked in, he hadn’t noticed anything wrong with her. He felt pity for her. “Miss, to be frank, if this condition continues, you might eventually go completely deaf. Even hearing aids might not help in the future.” The hope drained from Cecilia’s eyes. It felt as though her throat had a wad of cotton stuck in it. She couldn’t swallow it or cough it out. She didn’t speak for a long time. The doctor then looked toward the door. “Did you come alone? Where are your family or friends?” Family? Cecilia thought of her mother, who looked down on her, and her brother, who wanted to marry her off to an elderly man. She also thought of her husband of over three years, Nathaniel, who had despised her from the start. Finally, her mind settled on the image of her father’s sorrowful face as he lay dying. “I can’t bear to leave. If I die, what about Ceci?” Now she understood why, despite being in excruciating pain and hooked up to various medical devices after his car accident, Regas had held on. He hadn’t wanted to leave her behind, because once he was gone, she would have no family left. Suppressing the bitter dryness in her throat, Cecilia finally responded to the doctor. “They passed away.” As she left the hospital, a light drizzle began to fall again. In Tudela, the rain this year seemed more frequent than in previous years. At the hospital entrance, people hurried about in twos and threes. Only Cecilia was alone. She stepped into the rain, not knowing where to go. With the thought that she might never hear again, she bought a ticket out of town and headed to the countryside, to the home of the housekeeper who had always taken care of her, Martha Holmes. It was nine o’clock at night by the time she arrived. Cecilia stood in front of the old brick house, hesitating to knock. Over the years, she’d always been in a rush whenever she visited Martha as she was too busy taking care of Nathaniel. Just as she hesitated, the door opened from the inside, and warm light spilled out. Martha’s face lit up with joy the moment she saw Cecilia. “Ceci…” The sight of Martha’s kind smile made Cecilia’s nose sting with the onset of tears. She stepped forward to hug her. “Martha…” Martha, who had never married or had children due to her health, was closer to Cecilia than her own mother. Sensing Cecilia’s sadness and pain, Martha gently patted her on the shoulder. “What happened, Ceci?” Cecilia rarely showed vulnerability. The last time she’d been like this was when Regas passed away. Shaking her head, Cecilia said, “It’s nothing. I just missed you so much.” Martha could see that Cecilia didn’t want to talk about it, so she didn’t press further. “I miss you too.” Martha noticed that Cecilia was drenched and immediately brought her inside, urging her to take a hot bath. That night, Cecilia nestled into Martha’s embrace, just like she had when she was younger. Martha held her, realizing how terrifyingly thin Cecilia had become, almost just skin and bones. Her hand trembled as she placed it on Cecilia’s bony back, struggling to keep calm. “Ceci, is Nathaniel treating you well?” Martha cautiously asked. Hearing Nathaniel’s name made Cecilia’s throat tighten. She instinctively wanted to lie again, to tell Martha that Nathaniel was good to her. However, she understood that Martha wasn’t foolish. Since she had already decided to leave, she didn’t want to deceive herself anymore, nor those who loved her. “His first love has returned. I plan to set him free by divorcing him.” Martha was stunned, unable to believe her ears. Cecilia had told her countless times that she wanted to grow old with Nathaniel. Seeing that Martha remained silent, Cecilia hugged her tighter and mumbled, “Martha, could I be like you?” Forever unmarried and forever alone. As Nathaniel once said, “Grow old in solitude.” If one could choose love, who would choose to be alone forever? Martha’s heart ached when she heard Cecilia’s words. “Silly girl, don’t talk nonsense. You have a long life ahead of you. Even if you leave Nathaniel, someone else will come along to love and cherish you.” Cecilia nodded quietly, but the ringing in her ears drowned out Martha’s comforting words. After dedicating over a decade of her life to a one-sided love, she understood better than anyone how challenging and difficult it can be to love someone. How could someone like her possibly be worthy of anyone else’s affection? Tears traced a path down her cheeks, dampening the bedding beneath her. The next morning, Cecilia awoke in a daze, confused as to why she was there.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org