Chapter 1036

No.1

“I know nothing,” Sebastian replied quickly. “I’m just the driver. A very dedicated driver.”

Dedicated? Nathaniel’s mouth curved into a faint, humorless smile. “I have a plan,” he told Oliver. “Just follow my lead.”

The confrontation over, Isabella strode toward the parking lot. She swung a leg over her motorcycle, ready to depart.

“Mommy! Mommy!”

She turned. Nathaniel was walking toward her, Oliver perched high on his shoulders. The boy looked tiny and adorable up there. Nathaniel’s frame was solid and powerful. The contrast was striking. A handsome man. A precious child. It was a captivating image.

Isabella’s brow furrowed. “What are you doing here?” Her tone was sharp, unwelcoming. Nathaniel was accustomed to her coldness. “Last time, your advice was invaluable,” he stated calmly. “I remembered every word. Oliver’s school has a trip today. I took the day off. We’re going to the amusement park.”

Her expression softened slightly. She was surprised he was actually trying.

“However,” Nathaniel continued, his voice earnest, “this is my first time taking him out like this. It’s a crowded place. I’m concerned I won’t be able to manage him properly. That’s why I sought you out. For your guidance.”

“Well…” Isabella studied his serious face. She began instructing him in a firm tone. “He’s still small. Avoid extreme rides. No rollercoasters. No pendulum swings. The park will be packed. You must watch him constantly. It’s easy to get separated. Also—”

Suddenly, Oliver began to sob. Loud, dramatic tears. “I—I want Mommy to protect me! Daddy is a man! He’s not careful! He’s already lost me ninety-eight times!”

No.2

“Ninety-eight times?” Isabella gasped, horrified.

Oliver nodded pitifully. “Shopping. Work. Parties. Banquets. He always forgets me! I don’t feel safe! I don’t want to go with Daddy! I won’t go!”

“Oliver, be reasonable,” Nathaniel said patiently. “I’ll watch you closely this time. It’s a school trip. All your friends will be there. They’ll tease you if you don’t go.”

This only made Oliver cry harder. He was hysterical. “No! No! I’m not going! I refuse!”

He thrashed in Nathaniel’s arms, his small limbs flailing. In the struggle, he launched himself forward.

He landed squarely in Isabella’s embrace.

Isabella’s brow furrowed as she looked down at Oliver, nestled in her arms. “Momo, what’s the matter? Your father cleared his entire schedule to take you to the amusement park. Why don’t you want to go? As long as you stay close and don’t run off, you won’t get separated from him.”

Oliver sniffled pitifully, his small frame trembling. “I don’t… I don’t want to go anymore.” Fresh tears began to stream down his cheeks.

Isabella was typically detached, indifferent to the emotions of others. Yet something about Oliver’s distress pierced through her usual reserve. Her heart clenched painfully. She held him tighter. “Momo, you can tell me what’s wrong. I’ll talk to your father. He won’t be allowed to upset you.”

The boy wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “It’s not Daddy… It’s not his fault. The teacher said this trip is for families. For moms and dads to be with their kids. All the other children will have both their parents there. This morning, Ethan called me. He was bragging… His mommy bought him a new bubble machine!”

No.3

He took a shaky breath, his voice cracking. “Momo doesn’t have a mom. If I go, they’ll just tease me again. I’d rather stay home by myself and cry. It’s better than being laughed at!” His sobs intensified, his small body shaking uncontrollably.

Isabella’s shoulder grew damp with his tears. She could feel the profound sadness radiating from him. It was heartbreaking.

She glanced up at Nathaniel, her expression stern. “Countless women would jump at the chance to be on your arm. Surely the great Nathaniel Blackwood can find a suitable companion for one day.”

“I considered that,” Nathaniel replied, his voice low and serious. “But the background checks were concerning. Their primary motivation is to become Mrs. Blackwood. With that ambition, Oliver becomes a pawn. His safety is my utmost priority. I cannot risk it.”

Isabella frowned. He was right. What woman wouldn’t want to marry Nathaniel Blackwood? The power, the prestige. Many would see a child as an obstacle to be removed. The thought made her blood run cold.

She suddenly became aware of their intense gazes fixed on her. Both father and son were watching her with a silent, unnerving expectancy. A shiver ran down her spine.

“I… I have prior engagements today,” she stated quickly, averting her eyes. “I can’t accompany you to the amusement park.”

Oliver’s face crumpled instantly. The light in his eyes extinguished. “It’s okay… I know you don’t like me, Mommy. I must have done something bad. You should go home and rest. Momo will be fine. I won’t bother you anymore…” His voice was a tiny, broken whisper.

He slowly released her hand. His small shoulders slumped as he took a few unsteady steps away. He looked utterly lost and alone.

“What did Momo do wrong?” he wept quietly, almost to himself. “Why am I the only one without a mommy? Why doesn’t my real mommy want me? Why don’t you want me?”

No.4

Each word was a dagger to Isabella’s heart. The pain was sharp, constricting her throat. Every instinct screamed at her to run to him, to sweep him into her arms and promise him the world. But she couldn’t. It was impossible.

Her business with the Montgomery family was concluded. She needed to return home. There were pressing matters awaiting her attention. Furthermore, the events of five years ago had sealed her fate. A happy ending with them was a fantasy she could not afford.

She hardened her resolve, forcing herself to remain still.

Just then, Oliver, who was still crying as he walked, suddenly stumbled. His small body convulsed violently, collapsing onto the grass. His cries turned into choked, guttural whimpers. A faint froth appeared at the corners of his mouth.

“Oliver! Oliver!” Isabella’s composure shattered. All logic and reason vanished. She sprinted forward, dropping to her knees and gathering his convulsing form into her arms. Panic seized her. She glared up at Nathaniel, her voice sharp with fear. “What’s happening to him?! Call an ambulance! Now!”

“It won’t help,” Nathaniel explained calmly, though his eyes were dark with concern. He gently took Oliver from her and laid him carefully on the ground. “This happens when he becomes excessively upset. The seizures are sporadic. They can last up to thirty minutes before subsiding on their own. You should go. Handle your work. He’ll be alright here.”

Thirty minutes? The thought was unbearable. Isabella stared, horrified, at the small body jerking uncontrollably on the lawn. She could no longer stand it.

She reached out and grasped his tiny, trembling hand. Her voice was firm, laced with a surrender she hadn’t known she possessed. “Momo, get better. I’ll do it. I’ll be your mommy for the day. I’ll go to the amusement park with you. Okay?”

In a flash, Oliver—who had been convulsing on the ground moments before—leapt up with a burst of energy.

He threw his small hands in the air. “Hooray!”

No.5

Then he launched himself straight back into Isabella’s embrace.

Isabella was stunned. ‘How did he bounce back so fast? This… feels like a setup.’

Noticing her hesitation, Oliver wrapped his plump arms around her neck. “Mommy, Uncle Sebastian said my twitching is all in my head,” he explained quickly. “If I take medicine, I’ll get better slowly. You promised. You can’t go back on your word now. We’re going to the amusement park! Grown-ups can’t break promises. They can’t teach kids to lie either.”

What could she say? Isabella gently pinched his soft cheeks. “You clever little thing. Fine. I promised, so I’ll keep it. We’ll go. But from now on, you have to be strong, okay? You’re tough. You won’t let a little mind-trick beat you.”

“Okay! I’ll listen to Mommy!” Oliver beamed, his smile pure sunshine.

Nearby, Sebastian watched, impressed. Their plan actually worked. They’d tricked her into agreeing!

His brother did know how to charm a woman. After 28 years, he was finally unleashing his skills on someone like Isabella.

Sebastian quickly slid back into the driver’s seat, playing his part. Nathaniel opened the car door like a true gentleman. “After you, Ms. Montgomery.”

Isabella carried Oliver inside and settled in the back. She almost told Nathaniel to sit up front, but then she saw the tall stack of files there. The words died in her throat.

Fine. At least Oliver was between them.

No.6

She buckled her own seatbelt, then helped Oliver with his. “Good boys always wear seatbelts,” she instructed. “It’s a rule. It keeps you safe.” Her tone left no room for argument.

Nathaniel silently fastened his own belt. Even Sebastian, in the driver’s seat, clicked his without a word. The car began to glide forward, heading for the amusement park.

Then Isabella spotted it. A small trash bin held a clump of crimson flowers. “Why are there flowers in here?” she asked curiously.

The air in the car instantly tightened.

Three voices answered at once.

“From a business partner.”

“An admirer sent them.”

“My school gave them to me.”

Nathaniel, Sebastian, and Oliver had all spoken. Isabella blinked, confused. Whose flowers were they? It was a simple question, so why did everything suddenly feel so awkward?

Nathaniel smoothly changed the subject. “Not important. Look what we got for you. See if you like it.” He pulled something out and handed it to her.

No.7

Isabella took it. It was a mask. Not just any mask… it was a Peppa Pig mask! “You bought this for me?” she asked, utterly surprised. What was going through Nathaniel’s mind? Was this his idea of romance?

“Isabella, it’s not wise for you to be seen in public at an amusement park,” Nathaniel’s voice came through the phone, calm but firm. “You should wear a mask.”

Isabella almost rolled her eyes. Was he serious? If anyone was at risk of being recognized, it was him and Oliver. One was known as the king of Westchester, the other its crown prince.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be wearing them too,” Nathaniel added, as if reading her mind. He produced two more masks, handing one to Oliver. The little boy’s face lit up as he eagerly put it on. Already adorable, the mask made him look impossibly sweeter.

Something felt…planned. These masks—Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear—were clearly a matching set. A family set. It looked suspiciously like they had been purchased in advance.

Had Nathaniel bought these before she even said yes? She was about to question him when the car glided to a smooth halt at the park’s grand entrance.