Chapter 1256
No.1
...
Isabella emerged from the hotel into the cool evening air. The parking lot glittered with luxury vehicles, a stark contrast to her modest motorcycle parked discreetly in the corner.
As she reached for her helmet, a small figure darted toward her.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Oliver's sweet voice carried through the night as he wrapped himself around her leg, clinging like a determined koala.
Isabella instinctively moved to push him away, but his cherubic face and pleading eyes disarmed her. She sighed and ruffled his hair. "Sweetheart, where's your father? Did he leave you alone again?"
"I ran away. I missed you... Will you come home with me?" He buried his face deeper into her coat.
"Oliver, I'm not your mother. I have my own home to return to." Her voice softened despite her words.
"But you are! Daddy promised you'd be my mommy! He thinks about you all the time. He even sleeps with your photo!" The words tumbled out in an eager rush. "Today he canceled a billion-dollar meeting just to watch you. He wanted to protect you."
Isabella fell silent. Could this be true? Did Nathaniel actually keep her picture by his bedside?
No.2
She gently stroked his hair. "Sweet boy, you're too young to understand. Love isn't something that happens instantly. What people call love at first sight is usually just attraction. It's superficial. Like when a homeless person admires someone beautiful from afar. It's not real, and it's not right."
Nathaniel emerged from the shadows just in time to hear her last words. His handsome features darkened immediately, like storm clouds gathering before a tempest.
Homeless? She compared him to a homeless person?
Nathaniel hadn't anticipated Isabella would be so unresponsive. He'd thought mentioning his father would spark her interest.
He wanted to say more, but Isabella simply lifted him and set him aside. "Ollie, go back to your dad. I have important matters to handle," she stated firmly. "Go home, okay?"
"Mommy..." Oliver gazed up with pleading eyes, hoping to sway her with his pitiful expression.
Isabella couldn't deny it affected her, but she remembered her purpose for returning.
Refocusing, she swung her leg over the motorcycle seat.
Oliver pouted dramatically, his lips forming a perfect sulk. His plan had failed. He needed another strategy.
No.3
He swung his chubby arms casually as the engine roared to life.
Pop!
The rear tire deflated instantly, causing the bike to tilt dangerously.
"Mommy! Your tire!" Oliver shrieked with feigned terror. "Someone shot it with a dart!"
Isabella dismounted quickly. Sure enough, a silver dart protruded from the rubber.
Who used darts anymore? Especially as a weapon. It seemed bizarre.
Noticing her suspicion growing, Oliver quickly grabbed her hand. "Don't worry, Mommy! Daddy will take you home!" He yelled into his smartwatch, "Emergency protocol! Daddy, respond!"
Her suspicion intensified, but it didn't make sense. Oliver was only five. He couldn't have thrown that dart... probably. His convincingly terrified expression made him seem uninvolved.
A sleek black van pulled up abruptly. Sebastian rolled down the window. "Miss Montgomery! Oliver! Get in now!"
No.4
Oliver yanked the passenger door open and scrambled inside. "Mommy, come on! Just a ride, I promise!"
Isabella noted only Sebastian was visible. Her bike needed repairs anyway. Without overthinking, she slid into the back seat.
Instant regret flooded her. Nathaniel sat there too.
Can I still escape? she thought desperately.
Sebastian saw her hesitation in the rearview mirror. He hit the accelerator before she could react.
Too late now, she sighed internally, scooting as far from Nathaniel as possible.
Fortunately, Nathaniel was engrossed in his financial tablet. He radiated his usual aura of aristocratic coldness, detached and undisturbed by his surroundings.
Maybe she was overthinking things.
Suddenly, the van swerved violently. Caught off guard, Isabella tumbled into Nathaniel.
No.5
Riiip!
The tablet in his hands cracked under their combined weight.
Silence.
An awkward, heavy silence engulfed the vehicle.
Damn his perfect profile. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
This was wrong. Why was her heart racing? She gripped the front seat headrest, trying to right herself.
Just as she almost succeeded, the van swerved again.
Isabella fell back into Nathaniel.
No.6
This time, her face planted directly against his firm, clothed abdomen.
His distinct masculine scent invaded her senses immediately. Isabella’s heartbeat quickened. Anger and embarrassment warred inside her.
‘Sebastian did that on purpose!’ she fumed silently.
Just as she was about to snap, Oliver’s small voice piped up from the front. “Sorry, Mommy. Please don’t be mad. Uncle Sebastian loves drifting. He was a professional racer.”
“Sebastian. Control the vehicle. This is a public road,” Nathaniel’s deep voice cut through, low and commanding.
Isabella swallowed her protest. Nathaniel’s hands steadied her arms. His tone softened, laced with genuine concern. “Are you alright?”
His expression was so earnest she doubted her own suspicion. She pulled away, putting space between them. “I’m fine,” she stated firmly, gripping the overhead handle tightly.
She was secure. Or so she thought.
The van swerved violently again.
No.7
Screech!
Isabella held her ground this time. Nathaniel, however, stumbled forward. His hand grabbed her dress for balance.
Rip!
The fabric at her waist tore, exposing her skin.
“Nathaniel Blackwood!” she hissed, her patience snapping.
The van abruptly stopped.
“Miss Montgomery, we’ve arrived,” Sebastian announced, turning with a guilty look. “My deepest apologies. I get carried away behind the wheel.”
“Uncle Sebastian! I told you to stop doing that! You always make Daddy fly!” Oliver scolded, scrambling to the back. “Daddy, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”