Chapter 206

Sleep remained elusive.

A gentle knock interrupted the silence.

Harrison hesitated before opening the hospital door. Dominic stood there, breathless. "Mrs. Falcon."

She stepped into the hallway. "Dominic? What's wrong?"

His expression was urgent. "The Whitmores drugged Mr. Falcon. He needs you at Emerald Heights."

"But he told you to find someone else." Harrison turned back toward her room.

"Mrs. Falcon!" Dominic's voice stopped her. "Those were angry words! Surely you know that?"

Her fingers tightened on the door handle.

"At the resort, Mr. Graves took that knife for you. But you're ignoring how Mr. Falcon injured his hand protecting you too!" Dominic's tone left no room for argument.

Harrison faced him slowly. "His injury isn't my concern."

Dominic pulled out his phone. "Watch this."

The video showed her back turned when a blade flashed toward her. Nathaniel lunged, bare hands catching the steel.

Her breath caught. She'd never known.

"Twenty-three stitches, Mrs. Falcon. The doctors said any later and he might have lost function. That night after you slapped him, he stood outside your door until dawn."

"Harrison!"

"Harrison!"

On screen, Nathaniel and Alexander shouted simultaneously, both racing toward her.

The memory blurred until now. Nathaniel never mentioned it. Why would he risk himself for someone he despised?

"Harrison...my heart hurts."

His words echoed. Twice he'd said it. Now she understood - he wanted her to see the wound while she'd been with Alexander.

The irony almost made her laugh. His childish behavior seemed ridiculous.

"Mr. Falcon spoke harshly because he saw you with Mr. Graves. It upset him."

Harrison studied Dominic. "Why would that upset him?"

"You should ask him yourself. But I believe...he's developed feelings for you."

Feelings? Nathaniel?

Impossible.

She'd never dared hope. The cave promise meant nothing to him now. Only she remembered.

She'd followed him everywhere, begging scraps of affection he poured entirely on Isabella.

Could he truly care for her?

At Emerald Heights, Nathaniel sat rigid on the sofa. He tore off his tie, crumpling it before throwing it aside. His handsome face was stormy, tension thick in the air.

Then - a quiet click. The front door opened. Someone entered...