Chapter 1124
No.1
“I didn’t want to.” His words were simple yet carried profound weight.
Her heart stuttered.
Didn’t want to?
Didn’t want to disturb her? Or didn’t want to let her go?
This warmth was foreign to her.
Even in her youth, she’d never known such care.
Alexander Whitmore had never feigned this level of devotion.
When Lawrence Chamberlain had poisoned her, Nathaniel stayed the entire night.
Now, he gave her a full day.
No.2
He had every opportunity to take advantage.
Yet he did nothing.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Her fingers worked his arm, encouraging circulation.
After a moment, she asked, “Better now?”
He attempted to flex his fingers. “Still numb.”
She had no choice but to continue.
She didn’t realize how domestic she looked.
Pajama-clad, tending to him beside the bed.
No.3
Nathaniel watched in silent appreciation.
Her gentleness was a rare sight.
His phone screen lit up with a new message.
The notification preview flashed.
[Mr. Blackwood, I’ve hit a wall. Someone else is investigating Ms. Montgomery. No leads.]
Nathaniel’s brow furrowed.
He moved to shut off the screen.
Too late.
Isabella had seen it.
No.4
“I…” The usually unshakable Nathaniel felt a surge of panic.
He feared her hatred.
He met her gaze, his own earnest. “Isabella, I only wanted to help you.”
Help her?
By violating her privacy? How was that help?
Rage simmered within her.
She wanted to scream.
No one was supposed to know about five years ago.
She hated anyone uncovering that scar.
No.5
Yet, staring into his sincere eyes, her anger faltered.
“Do you truly want to help me?” Her voice was quiet.
He nodded without hesitation.
A bitter irony washed over her.
If Nathaniel knew what happened back then, would he still look at her like this?
The secret was already unraveling.
Hiding it was pointless now.
Better he hear it from her.
She took a steadying breath.
No.6
Her lips parted. “Since you want to know… I hope you can accept the answer.”
“Five years back, I was—”
“Mom! Mom!”
Before Isabella could complete her sentence, a small figure burst into the room. Holding a bowl of green herbal soup, Oliver rushed toward her and offered it. “Mom, Dad had them prepare this special recipe for you. It’ll help with your headache.”
“Thanks, sweetie.” Isabella’s expression softened as she gently pinched Oliver’s cheek. She took the bowl and drank the soup without hesitation.
After finishing, she handed the empty bowl back to him. “Mom and Dad need to talk privately. Why don’t you go play downstairs? I’ll come find you soon.”
Isabella had decided—Nathaniel deserved to know the whole truth.
Unexpectedly, Oliver replied, “Grandpa and Grandma called earlier. They said they’ll be here in thirty minutes.” Nathaniel had instructed Oliver to stay downstairs, but the phone call changed his plans.
Isabella’s brows knitted together. “What did you say? Your grandparents are coming?”
No.7
“Yes, they want to discuss the birthday dinner with Dad. It sounded important,” Oliver answered honestly.
Isabella immediately slid out of bed and turned to Nathaniel. “I’m heading back to Rosewood Manor,” she stated firmly. “We’ll continue this conversation later.”
She couldn’t let the Blackwoods discover her relationship with Nathaniel. Since she planned to leave in two months, there was no point inviting unnecessary complications.
Nathaniel noticed her concern and didn’t press further. “Drive safely,” he simply said.
“Okay.”
As Isabella prepared to leave, she remembered Oliver’s confession from days ago. She knelt before him, placing her hands warmly on his shoulders. “When they arrive, you can go to the gym and exercise. You don’t need to see your grandparents.”
“Huh? Why?” Oliver frowned. His father and teachers had always taught him to be polite and face situations head-on.
Isabella responded, “They don’t appreciate you, and they’ll only scold you if they see you. Why subject yourself to their coldness? You’ve done nothing wrong—you’re innocent. There’s no reason for you to endure their insults.”
“Remember, you’re my little prince. I can’t bear to see you compromise yourself, and you shouldn’t either! It would hurt me deeply if you did, understand?”