Chapter 1998
No.1
A family of such prestige was willing to hand her half their wealth? It made no sense.
After a moment’s consideration, her decision was firm. “I will accept the Montgomery shares. I refuse the Kensington assets.”
Eleanor’s face fell. How could she refuse such an immense fortune?
The Montgomery family’s shares were not particularly high, yet their global prestige was immense.
Even a simple ceramic vase crafted by the Montgomerys could fetch over a million dollars at auction.
Everyone longed for a connection to the Montgomery dynasty. Yet Isabella had just refused their offer?
“I’m helping the Montgomery family for Grandfather’s sake,” Isabella stated calmly. “I don’t require any reward.”
“I don’t need repayment from any of you. You should head back now. I need to pack.”
With that, she stepped inside the villa and shut the door. Though they were her biological parents, she hadn’t forgiven them. She wouldn’t allow them inside.
She couldn’t risk them discovering Nathaniel lived with her. Richard and Eleanor, still outside, didn’t mind. They were already overjoyed that Isabella agreed to return and save the family. Everything else could be mended over time. They were prepared to spend their remaining years making amends.
Back in the villa…
Isabella waited until Richard and Eleanor had driven away before entering the living room. Nathaniel was lounging on the sofa, doing nothing but waiting. Clearly, he was waiting for her.
When he saw her, he began to speak. “Isabella.”
No.2
“I plan to stay at Montgomery Manor for a while,” she interrupted. Nathaniel’s brow furrowed. Stay at the manor? Did that mean she no longer wanted to live with him? He stood up immediately.
“What’s wrong, Isabella? Talk to me. I dislike unresolved issues.” Distance would only create more distance between them.
Isabella met his gaze seriously. “It’s not about leaving things unsaid. I just believe we need space. Time to think clearly.”
“I have nothing left to think about. My position is clear. I have no connection to Sophia. I only need to find the antidote for the drug she took,” Nathaniel insisted.
“But I need time to think, Nathaniel. Please give me that,” Isabella argued, her voice heavy with fatigue.
Though Nathaniel seemed resolute, she needed to process everything. His history with Sophia seemed solid. Were it not for the Blackwoods’ interference, they might have been together. They even shared a son.
Sophia was Oliver’s biological mother. Nathaniel, Oliver, and Sophia were meant to be a complete family. Without Isabella, they might have found happiness together.
In this light, Isabella felt like an intruder.
She needed time to determine if she was the third wheel. To understand Sophia’s true significance to Nathaniel. She looked at him solemnly.
“If you’re certain of your choice, then let time prove it. True love won’t fade from a few days apart. I’ll be occupied with family matters. I hope you can resolve things with Sophia.”
Having said her piece, she marched upstairs.
Nathaniel watched her retreating figure, his expression heavy and conflicted. He remained rooted to the spot for a long time. Ultimately, he did not follow her.
On the second floor of the villa… Oliver was in his room, playing with his toys.
No.3
It was a tiny robot.
Nathaniel had somehow squeezed a Barbie dress onto the metallic toy.
He frowned, wondering if his baby sister would actually like something like this.
Ugh. It looked ridiculous.
He’d just buy her a brand new one.
Just as he was about to toss it in the trash, Isabella walked in.
She scooped Oliver into her arms and gently pinched his cheeks. “Is my sweet boy having fun?”
“Yeah! I wanted to give all my toys to my baby sister, but… they’re all kinda ugly.”
Most were Transformers, race cars, or battle bots.
Isabella understood when she spotted the frilly pink dress stretched over the robot’s chassis.
If things were different… she might have actually considered building a family with Nathaniel.
She pushed the thought away. “Oliver, I need you to promise me something.”
His smile instantly vanished.
No.4
Tears welled in his wide, fearful eyes.
Her chest tightened.
She’d grown so attached to him these past weeks.
Even though he wasn’t biologically hers, a deep, protective bond had formed.
The idea of him hurting felt like a physical wound.
But she had no choice.
She needed space. Time to breathe.
She needed to see what Nathaniel would do—how he truly felt about Sophia.
Time would reveal if their family could ever truly be whole.
If not… she would walk away for good.
She sat him on the bed, her voice soft. “You know Mommy’s family is in trouble, right? The Montgomery family… we’ve lost everything. My brother is in the hospital. I have to go back. I need to fix things, to fight off the bad people. When it’s all over, I’ll come back for you.”
“No! Waa… no!” He burst into sobs instantly. “Don’t leave me! Please, Mommy! Don’t go!”
His small arms locked around her neck, his whole body trembling against hers.
No.5
Tears soaked through her shirt.
Each cry felt like a shard of glass in her heart.
She held him tighter. “Sweetheart, listen. I’m not leaving you. I just need to handle some things at home.”
“You’re lying! I’m not a baby! I know you’re mad at Daddy! You’re leaving him! And you’re leaving me!”
He suddenly pulled away, scrambling off the bed. “I hate Daddy! He hurt you! How could he be with another woman? I’m gonna beat him up!”
He dashed toward the door, a tiny ball of fury.
Isabella’s heart lurched. She hadn’t expected him to see through it so clearly.
She caught him just as his little hand reached for the doorknob, pulling him back into her arms.
“Oliver, no. You misunderstood. I swear on my life, I will come back to you. I just need to save my family first.”
She prayed that by the time she dealt with the Montgomery crisis and Benjamin, Nathaniel would have resolved things with Sophia.
But Oliver kept crying, his small body shaking. “I don’t believe you! You’re lying! You won’t come back! You don’t love us anymore! Waa…!”
His desperate wails filled the room.
Then, steady, heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway.
No.6
Nathaniel walked in.
Nathaniel approached Isabella's side.
He settled beside her with practiced ease, his movements fluid and deliberate.
His gaze softened as he looked at Oliver cradled in her arms. "Momo, Daddy and Mommy are perfectly fine. Mommy would never disappoint you."
"Waa... I don't believe it!" Oliver's tear-filled eyes glared accusingly at Nathaniel. "Mommy's leaving! She's leaving a terrible man like you! Even Momo doesn't want you anymore! Why did Mommy ever choose you?"
Nathaniel's expression tightened momentarily. "You truly believe Mommy doesn't care for me?"
"Yes!" Oliver nodded vigorously, his small face set in stubborn defiance.
The moment the word left his lips, Nathaniel's arm snaked around Isabella's shoulders, drawing her firmly against him.
His lips captured hers in a sudden, possessive kiss.
Right there, in full view of their distraught son.
Oliver's crying ceased abruptly.
Isabella froze in shock.
She had been tense since Nathaniel sat down, the air between them charged with unspoken tension. This bold move completely blindsided her.
No.7
Her hands instinctively rose to push him away, but she hesitated.
Oliver's tear-streaked face flashed in her mind.
If he truly believed she was abandoning them, his heartbreak would only deepen. She couldn't bear to see him suffer.
Reluctantly, she allowed the kiss to continue.
Nathaniel's kiss was demanding, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions.
When he finally pulled back, he turned to their son. "Convinced now?"
"Hmm... Maybe fifty percent..." Oliver mumbled, wiping his tears.
After all, if Mommy truly hated Daddy, why would she let him kiss her like that?