Chapter 1903
No.1
Isabella shot Nathaniel a sharp look...
Arabella noticed Isabella's flushed, embarrassed face and quickly tried to smooth things over. "Don't worry, Ms. Montgomery, Mr. Blackwood. We won't breathe a word of this to anyone. Our lips are sealed."
"Yes, we're so sorry for interrupting your evening. Please, don't let us stop you," added Genevieve, pulling at Arabella's arm to leave. Isabella and Nathaniel were probably furious after their intimate moment was ruined by the whole Harrison fiasco...
No wonder Nathaniel had been stone-faced and silent the entire time.
"Drive," Arabella commanded Penelope urgently, "Now!"
"Right away!" The car sped off, leaving Isabella and Nathaniel standing alone under the streetlamp.
Isabella was at a complete loss for words.
Damn it! Clearing up this misunderstanding was going to be impossible. Those two had completely the wrong idea, and their expressions said it all... Isabella's reputation was in tatters! She should have made Nathaniel remove the hair himself, or just helped him!
She turned to him helplessly. "Well, now you have to fix this for me!"
No.2
"Fix what?" Nathaniel's voice was a low, magnetic rumble.
"This misunderstanding!" Isabella snapped.
This was never her strong suit. Since Nathaniel always claimed to be so resourceful, he should know how to clean up this mess... Right?
However, Nathaniel merely frowned. "What misunderstanding?"
"Damn you! You set me up!" Nathaniel didn't flinch as Isabella punched his arm.
Her strength was nothing to him; he didn't even blink. He just looked at her. "Isabella, there's no need for embarrassment. Anyone who's been in love knows this is a genuine, intimate moment between a couple."
His tone was calm and matter-of-fact, as if stating a simple philosophical truth.
Isabella rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Oh, and you're an expert on that?" Nathaniel's expression darkened instantly. Isabella felt a sharp, uneasy prick in her heart at the sudden change in his demeanor.
Still... It made sense. Nathaniel was 28 years old. How could he be inexperienced? He must have had past relationships, probably more than one...
No.3
The thought sent Isabella's emotions into a tailspin. Her heart felt strangely unsettled, almost panicky.
She quickly changed the subject. "It's going to rain soon. Let's go home."
As she turned to walk to the car, Nathaniel grabbed her arm, his voice rough. "Isabella, wait—"
Nathaniel's words died on his lips. He swallowed them back. Other than the incident five years ago, he was, in fact, still untouched. Would Isabella look down on him for that?
Did she truly not care about his past and have zero interest in him? That must be it; her lack of curiosity about his history meant she felt nothing for him. Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder boomed overhead, shaking the air.
Thunder cracked violently across the night sky.
Heavy rain began pouring down without warning.
The deluge transformed the streets into rushing rivers within minutes.
Both Isabella and Nathaniel got completely soaked.
No.4
Nathaniel pushed aside their earlier conversation.
He swiftly opened the car door for her. "Get in now."
Isabella quickly jumped into the passenger seat.
Water dripped from her hair and clothes onto the leather seats.
Nathaniel slid into the driver's side moments later.
He looked even more drenched than she was.
Isabella grabbed tissues from the console.
She wiped her face and handed some to Nathaniel.
He accepted them and dried himself quickly.
No.5
Nathaniel started the engine and drove toward Blackwood Estate.
He worried the cold rainwater would make her sick.
The car moved slowly through the stormy darkness.
Raindrops hammered loudly against the windshield.
Isabella stared out at the torrential downpour.
Her expression grew tense and distant.
This storm reminded her of that night five years ago.
She had just given birth to a stillborn child.
Everyone wanted her gone immediately.
No.6
They shipped her off to Africa without a second thought.
So much had changed since that terrible time.
Her thoughts turned inward once more.
What right did she have to judge Nathaniel?
At least his encounter was with an ex-girlfriend.
But she...she had been violently taken against her will.
She had carried a child from that violation.
A sudden loud noise jerked her from her thoughts.
Hiss!
No.7
The car lurched to an abrupt stop.
Nathaniel's voice cut through the noise. "The engine flooded. Stay put."
He opened his door to assess the damage.
Water immediately rushed into the vehicle.
Nathaniel moved quickly to her side.
He pulled open her door before she could react.
Strong arms lifted her from the seat.
Even his considerable height was no match for the water.