Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 171
“You don’t like him anymore?”
Nigel repeated the statement, confused.
“Yes.”
Cecilia responded and then, after a brief hesitation, added,
“Not even a little.”
She was more resolute than when she had proposed revenge. Her voice had the power to make even the most nonsensical statement sound true.
That’s why it was even harder to believe.
Was this woman really aiming for a breakup?
“It doesn’t add up.”
“Is accompanying you in a path of revenge not enough?”
“It’s not me—it’s you.”
He lifted his chin and crossed his arms, his gaze so arrogant it was hard to believe he was looking up at her.
Cecilia lowered her eyes to meet his condescending stare.
“It adds up just fine.”
“…?”
“Because you’re a Rosencrantz.”
“Aha…”
Nigel laughed.
“So, you’re planning to use me again and set the stage.”
Cecilia smiled back.
“Not use—join hands. This time, I’m conscientiously asking for your permission like this.”
“Have you already forgotten how you declared yourself my lover without my consent?”
“If you don’t want it, you can deny it. But.”
Cecilia extended her hand.
“If I’m useful, then….”
“….”
Nigel slowly looked at her hand. His eyes traced each finger before he reached out.
However.
Smack!
With a sharp sound, he smacked her hand away with the back of his.
“I tend to stay away from things that are too toxic.”
“I can’t imagine why my hand is throbbing right now. Have you already forgotten?”
He raised an eyebrow in response.
“I’ll decline the handshake, but I’ll accept the proposal. As you said, I have nothing to lose.”
He ended with a ferocious smile, as if warning her to be prepared for the future.
Cecilia was unfazed by the reaction she had anticipated.
“I’ll take that as the contract being established and take my leave.”
“Wait a moment.”
He called after Cecilia, stopping her.
“Wouldn’t it be better if we left together?”
“What are you saying…?”
“You’re my lover, aren’t you? As a lover, you should act the part.”
Nigel’s expression was mischievous. Declaring their relationship was something he could do personally, so there was no need to create a commotion now.
Yet, he insisted on this, likely just to humiliate her.
Cecilia stared at him, then squinted as she smiled.
“…I am more partial to a spiritual type of love.”
“Oh dear, my lover has a different view on love than I do.”
“Your lover isn’t a beast.”
They smiled at each other, but their expressions soon hardened.
“Then, I’ll be going…”
“How did you manage to win her over?”
Nigel interrupted her.
“Her? Miss Casey, you mean?”
“Yes. She’s not the type to engage with someone like you.”
He seemed well aware of Casey Heens’ inflexible nature.
“She got caught by me.”
“Caught doing what?”
“Cheating.”
“Hooh.”
“I didn’t blackmail her with it. I just used it as a conversation starter… I was lucky.”
“Lucky?”
Nigel’s lips twisted into a crooked smile.
“You were lucky enough to drag things this far?”
“They say God is fair. Maybe He was compensating me for past misfortunes.”
“You’re shameless for someone who doesn’t even believe in God.”
“….”
Nigel fundamentally distrusted her. If her circumstances didn’t seem entirely convincing or if he couldn’t trust her as a contractual partner, he would likely continue to doubt her endlessly.
Despite her exhaustion, Cecilia reluctantly opened her mouth.
“The truth is….”
* * *
That day, Cecilia told Casey there was a way for them both to achieve their goals.
She then made this proposal:
“What if Sir Nigel and I publicly declared ourselves lovers?”
An idea unthinkable for Casey Heens, but for Cecilia, it was nothing more than a fake romance.
At first, Casey was horrified.
“No! What if your honor gets tarnished, Miss Cecilia?”
“That’s why I’m asking for your help. We’re allies who share a secret, after all.”
She skillfully egged her on.
“Is there anything I can do to help…?”
“If only one side declares love, they’ll be condemned alone… But what if both sides confessed almost simultaneously that they loved someone else?”
Only then did Casey seriously consider Cecilia’s proposal.
