Chapter 92
No.1
What passionate escapade had he missed?
Nathaniel’s face was grim. “The medicine. Now.”
“Where is your wife?” Sebastian asked, trying to be professional. “I brought several types. I need to see her to diagnose which one she needs. Giving the wrong medicine could be dangerous.”
But Nathaniel would never allow another man to see Isabella in such a vulnerable state.
“Just give me the medicine,” he asserted, his tone leaving no room for argument. “If a Blackwood family doctor can’t do his job without seeing the patient, then he’s of no use to this family.”
Sebastian was baffled. How could he prescribe without a diagnosis? Even a miracle worker couldn’t do that.
But he had never seen Nathaniel look so intense, so dangerously on edge.
Reluctantly, he handed over the medical kit containing ten different vials.
“At least describe her condition to me,” Sebastian reasoned. “Is she conscious? Does she have any energy left? Is she dizzy? Can she speak?”
Nathaniel thought for a moment. “Her strength comes and goes. She can speak, but she’s not in her right mind.”
No.2
Sebastian pondered this, making his best educated guess.
He selected a specific vial and handed it to Nathaniel.
“Brother, are you sure you don’t want me to come in? If she takes the wrong—”
Before he could finish, Nathaniel snatched the medicine and slammed the door in his face.
Sebastian stood there, bewildered.
Wow. His brother was really ditching him for a woman.
Back in the bathroom, Nathaniel froze at the doorway.
Isabella had managed to take off her jeans and her coat.
She was now sitting in the tub, wearing only her bikini, soaking in the cool water.
Her fair skin glistened. Her long legs were stretched out.
No.3
The sight was utterly arresting.
Nathaniel snatched the towel from the edge of the tub. He tilted Isabella’s chin upward, carefully placing the pill on her tongue.
It dissolved almost instantly. The restless thrashing ceased. Her body went still in the water, the tension finally leaving her limbs.
Asleep at last.
He lifted her from the tub, wrapping the towel securely around her before carrying her out of the bathroom.
Morning light streamed through the windows. Isabella’s eyes fluttered open. She stared at the ornate ceiling above. This wasn't her room. But the familiarity was unnerving.
This place… It was the same suite from five years ago.
The memory slammed into her. The drug. Last night.
She turned her head. A man lay beside her.
Nathaniel Blackwood.
No.4
He was still asleep, his features softened in the gentle dawn light. A perfect, tranquil painting.
She felt no urge to admire him. Isabella threw the covers back. Her eyes narrowed. She was down to her underwear.
A quick glance at him. He wore a dark robe. The fabric gaped open, revealing the hard planes of his chest.
What…
What happened here?
She glared at him, her voice a low, furious hiss. “What did you do to me last night?!”
His eyes opened. He found her anxious, furious gaze fixed on him. A lazy, teasing smile touched his lips. “What do you think happened?”
That tone. That infuriating, knowing tone.
Isabella’s mind reeled. Did they…? Did he discover her secrets?
No. Stop. That wasn’t the point.
No.5
The evidence was right in front of her.
“Nathaniel, how dare you take advantage of me!”
“Me? Take advantage of you?”
He sat up, throwing his ruined shirt toward her. He pointed to the fresh scratch marks on his chest. “Look at this. Who assaulted whom here?”
She stared at the torn fabric. The marks on his skin did look… recent.
Wait. Did she… attack him under the drug’s influence?
“Well… We’re both adults. I was drugged. Let’s just… pretend this never happened.”
She scrambled out of bed and bolted for the bathroom.
Nathaniel remained seated, his expression freezing. “Pretend it never happened?” he muttered, a dark displeasure in his voice.
The thought made her stomach churn. She had been with Nathaniel Blackwood. Westchester’s most formidable bachelor.
No.6
“If you require compensation for your… losses, I’ll pay you one million. Not a penny more.”
Nathaniel went completely still. One million? She was offering him money?
Thank god nothing actually happened last night. Her reaction was already this extreme. He could only imagine the fallout if it had.
He pressed further, his voice dropping. “You’re a grown woman. Can’t you tell if something truly occurred?”
The implication sank in. Her brow furrowed in sudden, dawning comprehension.
Nathaniel made a valid point. Isabella couldn't detect any pain or discomfort throughout her body. In fact, she felt completely normal.
The more she assessed herself, the more Isabella realized nothing felt off. That could only mean one thing…
“So nothing happened between us?” she asked, still dazed. “You truly didn’t take advantage of me?”
“Rest assured, I’m not so desperate as to exploit someone in that state,” Nathaniel replied, his tone slightly sharp as he moved toward the bathroom.
As he passed by, Isabella’s gaze remained fixed on his retreating figure, disbelief swirling within her.
No.7
Could Nathaniel be telling the truth? Had he really done nothing to her last night?
This was the same man who had proposed marriage the moment they met. Was it possible he showed such restraint when the opportunity arose?
A strange sense of gratitude washed over her.
Nathaniel emerged from the bathroom already dressed in fresh attire.