Chapter 993
No.1
"Haha! I believe you now!" Oliver's tears miraculously vanished, replaced by a bright smile. "But if Daddy and Mommy love each other so much, why are you separating? Won't you miss each other? If Mommy has to go home, why can't you take us with you?"
He looked up at Isabella with wide, hopeful eyes, his innocent question hanging in the air between them.
Isabella was completely stunned.
Oh, heavens.
It looked like she was going to end up staying with Oliver after all!
Suddenly, Nathaniel’s deep voice cut through the room. “Don’t worry, Momo. Mommy has agreed to see us once a day. Or we can visit her at the Montgomery manor.”
“Really?” Oliver’s eyes lit up like tiny stars.
Isabella frowned.
Had she said that?
No.2
She didn’t recall making any such promise.
But under Oliver’s hopeful gaze, remembering how heartbroken he had been, how he had sobbed… she had no choice.
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Yes! That’s wonderful! I get to see Mommy every single day! I want to see Mommy every day!” Oliver began bouncing on the spot, a pure, joyful dance.
Isabella couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face as she watched him.
Children found happiness so easily. Their joy was so simple, so complete.
How perfect it would be to stay with him. To watch him grow up day by day.
A wave of sadness washed over her.
Would that ever happen? Could she ever stay by his side forever?
No.3
It seemed… impossible.
The thought of Sophia Whitmore made everything feel long and uncertain. Endlessly complicated.
“Go help Mommy pack her things,” Nathaniel instructed Oliver.
“Okay!” Oliver immediately grabbed a small suitcase. He began carefully placing her clothes inside. He added her skincare products. Then the books and chess strategy manuals she liked to read.
His small figure moved with serious purpose around the room. It was an utterly adorable sight.
Nathaniel sat down beside Isabella. His voice was low, for her ears only. “Isabella, I’m letting you go home. But this doesn’t mean I’m letting you go. Remember the promise you made to Momo. We see each other once a day.”
Isabella was speechless.
She had been expertly trapped.
She had thought this would be a clean break. A chance for them both to cool down and think clearly. A period of no contact was what she had wanted.
No.4
Now she was committed to daily meetings?
She couldn’t refuse, though. Not with Oliver’s happy face seared into her memory.
“Don’t worry,” she said, her tone clipped. “I’ll keep my word. I’ll message you the time and place for our meetings. Wait for my instructions.”
What she really meant was she did not want them showing up unannounced. Their relationship was on unstable ground. She didn’t want anyone else knowing about it yet.
Nathaniel saw right through her. His eyes darkened.
After a while, Isabella zipped up the suitcase. She headed for the garage without looking back.
She could feel two pairs of eyes burning into her. But she didn’t dare turn around.
She knew if she looked back, she would miss them too much to leave.
As she got on her motorcycle, she caught their reflection in the rearview mirror.
No.5
A tall, imposing man and a small boy.
Nathaniel stood with one hand in his pocket, the picture of elegant perfection. Yet the air around him was heavy and tense.
Oliver watched her with wide, watery eyes. His little cheeks were puffed out, looking like he might burst into tears at any second.
A painful squeeze clenched Isabella’s heart. She felt suffocated.
She wanted to run back to them. To forget about everything else.
But her rationality held her firmly in place.
No. She couldn’t go back.
Not yet.
She needed time. Time to see Nathaniel’s true feelings regarding Sophia.
No.6
After what Alexander had put her through, she craved a relationship that was pure. Simple. Free of complications.
Besides, she would still see them every day. It wasn’t a real separation.
Before she could fix the mess with her own family, Nathaniel needed to resolve his past with Sophia. If he truly loved her…
Isabella could only hope that was the case.
Nathaniel watched the motorcycle vanish down the winding road.
He turned to face Oliver, who was pouting with clear displeasure.
"You would have been finished, Daddy, if I hadn't stepped in. You need to fix everything with that woman. I won't call you Daddy again until you do."
"Don't worry." Nathaniel ruffled his son's hair, his voice firm. His mind was set. Everything he felt for Sophia was just guilt.
Dominic returned just then, carrying a stack of files. "Mr. Blackwood, our investigation confirms everything Ms. Sophia stated. She currently lives with her parents in Willowbrook. Their conditions are... difficult."
No.7
Because Sophia had a child out of wedlock, the villagers had shunned her. They hurled insults and looked down on her. No one would marry her. No one offered her family any help. She used her wages from The Grand Mariner to support her parents. Their life was a constant struggle.
Dominic continued. "I've collected her blood sample. We'll have the drug composition analyzed shortly. I also obtained strands of her hair. Should I send it for DNA testing?"
Nathaniel scanned the documents and gave a single nod. Even with the evidence, a DNA test was essential. "Have Sebastian handle this personally."
This matter was too important. There was no room for error.
"Yes, Sir." Dominic nodded and prepared to leave.
Nathaniel stopped him, a new thought occurring. "Her living and working conditions need immediate improvement."
The report mentioned Sophia lived in a dilapidated tile house. It was so old it threatened to collapse at any moment.
Dominic understood the unspoken order. He left to make the arrangements.
Oliver's pout deepened. "I don't like how nice you're being to this Auntie!"