After a short while, Liana and Julian returned inside, leaving Cecilia and Rebecca alone in the courtyard. Neither woman spoke at first as they continued watching the road where Cedric had disappeared, but eventually Cecilia broke the silence.
"I heard what you said to Cedric in the chamber," she said suddenly.
Rebecca turned toward her. "About me," Cecilia reminded her.
Rebecca's lips parted slightly as she remembered the conversation, but she wasn't sure why Cecilia was bringing it up now.
"Why do you keep trying to make peace between Cedric and us after everything I've said to you?" Cecilia asked.
Rebecca hesitated for a moment, her gaze dropping briefly before she looked back at the older woman.
There was no bitterness in her expression, and she didn't seem to be trying to prove anything. "Because you're still family despite everything," she finally said. "And you're important to him."
