MIDNIGHT Bride The CEO's TEMPTATION

Robert knew this secret when Cecelia was four years old?

Madison froze, staring at him.

He had known about it early, but he kept silent. He even treated Cecelia as his own daughter.

Why?

"I betrayed you once, so you wanted to get even with me. If it made you feel better, I can pretend to know nothing for the rest of my life," whispered Robert.

Madison was dumbstruck.

She never knew that the man in front of her had been compensated for his guilt in this way.

Robert took her hand and said softly, "Madison, now we're even, okay?"

Madison threw herself into her husband's arms, tears brimming her eyes.

"Cecelia is our daughter, and you're my only wife. It will never change. We are family since then," Robert whispered as he patted her on the back.

* * *

In that clear instant of consciousness, Cecelia opened her eyes to see her parents looking at her nervously.

"She woke up!" Robert cried out.

Madison leaned over and lifted her gently.

"Cecelia, how do you feel?"

Cecelia's eyes moistened as she enjoyed the concern and care from her parents. The experience of death made her appreciate life more.

Her parents loved her so much, but she deliberately hid her condition and almost died.

How sad they would be if she really left the world.

What an unfilial daughter she was!

However, looking at her parents' worried face, she still felt a little lost.

Besides mom and dad, it would be even better to wake up to see that man, but once again, he left her without a word. She felt pain deep down inside her heart, and she's dying to see him again. 

Madison captured her daughter's trance and guessed what she was thinking.

"Honey, I'll go to the doctor. Take care of Cecelia," she said as she exchanged a look with her husband.

Cecelia looked at her mother, blankly. Honey? Her mom had never called dad that before...

When Madison left, Robert looked at his daughter and whispered, "Cecelia, are you feeling better?"

She nodded.

Robert thought it over before he said, "When you recover, go and see him. Don't worry, dad and mom won't stop you. We understand your feelings towards him, and we only wanted to see you happy,"

Cecelia didn't understand for a moment, but soon she came to her senses.

Dad was telling her to go to Kevin?!

Did dad know that she liked Kevin?

But why did he allow her to be with Kevin?

Was it because he had known that?

"Dad, why..." She sat bolt upright in bed and stared at him.

Did her mom, for the sake of her feelings, confess to dad the secret?

"Cecelia, I've known the secret of your birth," Robert said gravely, "since you were four years old."

She gasped, unable to utter a word.

He knew she was not his daughter, but he never penetrated the secret and always pampered her as a little princess.

"Your mother and I were both too young at that time. We hated political marriage and never tried to love each other. I betrayed your mom and hurt an innocent woman. I regretted having made such a mistake, but I didn't know how to make it up. You have nothing wrong... Although you're not my own flesh and blood, in my heart, you are always my daughter, Cecelia. What about you? Will you still think of me as your father?" Robert said slowly. Afraid of being rejected, he uttered those words in a low voice.

Cecelia had not expected Robert to be so generous.

No, not generous. He forgave his wife and accepted her because of love.

It seemed that her parents had talked it over and became reconciled. They realized how important the one by their side was and decided to manage a happy marriage together.

No wonder they looked more affectionate.

"Dad, I only have one father, and that's you!" She hugged Robert.

"Uh-huh, good girl." Robert nodded happily with wet eyes.

As for Kevin's mother, he could only make up for her in the next life.

"I've checked out where Kevin is. You don't have to hesitate anymore. Be brave and go to him." Robert added what Cecelia wanted to hear most.

Cecelia nodded, and tears came to her eyes.

* * *

It was late afternoon when Cecelia arrived at the mining site in South Africa.

She had anointed herself with suntan lotion, but the sun burned her through the sunhat, and her sun-protective clothing was scorching.

According to Robert, Kevin came here after leaving the southwest town.

How could he get used to such a harsh environment?

She couldn't understand why he had chosen to come to such a hard place, but wherever he was, she would not hesitate to find him.

Though nearly well, Cecelia was somewhat feeble under the harsh sun.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith had asked her to take some time off before coming to Africa, but she couldn't wait a day.

After she learned from her father that Kevin was in Africa, she began to make all preparations—visa application, luggage preparation, vaccination in advance...

After getting off the plane, she took a local taxi and arrived at the site.

Without stopping for a moment, she walked straight up to a foreman. She greeted him in English and then asked directly,

"I want Kevin Wills. Can you take me to him?"

The foreman had been told that there would be an honorable girl coming for someone. He paused and immediately replied, "You are Miss Smith, aren't you?"

"Yes." Cecelia couldn't wait.

"Sorry, Miss Smith," the foreman looked embarrassed. "You're late. Mr. Wills left here this morning."

Cecelia gasped. "Where did he go?"

"I don't know. Mr. Wills plugged away at his work and seldom talked with us. He left this morning quietly. I didn't know until just now."

The power that had sustained Cecelia for so long disappeared suddenly. Kevin had gone away before she arrived. She couldn't find any words to speak after a few minutes of silence.