Chapter 21

"A blind date?"

Nathaniel's entire demeanor turned glacial in an instant. His fingers moved to loosen his tie, jaw clenched tight.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Gabrielle's rapid-fire WhatsApp messages flooded in, followed by auto-playing voice notes that filled the silent room.

"Harrison! Check out this absolute specimen - eight-pack abs, personal trainer. Imagine resting your head on those at night!"

"And this adorable puppy-dog type - shy but so much fun once he opens up!"

"Oh! The business tycoon with those gold-rimmed glasses - cold exterior but total heartthrob material! Should we make him serenade you on his knees?"

"Darling, consider this your personal selection of eligible bachelors. Take your pick!"

Nathaniel's lips pressed into a razor-thin line. He hadn't realized his wife maintained an entire roster of potential suitors.

Harrison grabbed her phone and casually replied, "Got it. Be there soon."

When she turned, Nathaniel blocked her path. She extended a handwritten note.

"Mr. Falcon, Grandma Beatrice's herbal prescription. Simmer on high heat every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Must be consumed warm."

His gaze dropped to the elegant script detailing various medicinal ingredients.

"You studied medicine?"

"Just some basic knowledge," she shrugged.

Nathaniel didn't accept the paper. "I'll have our family physician verify this first."

Harrison expected nothing less. To Nathaniel Falcon, she'd always be that insignificant country girl beneath his notice. Not that she blamed him - born with a silver spoon, accustomed to the finest things.

She set the prescription on the table and grabbed her purse. "I won't be returning to Rosewood Manor. Find an appropriate time to tell Grandma about the divorce."

As she turned to leave, Nathaniel seized her wrist. "It's nearly midnight. Where exactly are you going?"

"Release me, Mr. Falcon," she demanded, twisting against his iron grip.

Nathaniel studied her frosty expression - such stark contrast to last night's passionate temptress who'd clung to him, stolen kisses with those irresistible eyes.

Now she looked at him like he was yesterday's trash.

A cold laugh escaped him. "Meeting your personal trainer? The shy boy? Or perhaps the bespectacled CEO? I never took you for such... adventurous tastes. Be careful what diseases you might bring home."

CRACK!

Her palm connected sharply with his cheek, the impact snapping his head sideways.

Nathaniel's eyes darkened dangerously. He shoved her backward onto the bed, looming over her trapped form. "Second time you've struck me, Harrison. Developing a habit?"

Isabella would never dare raise a hand to him. The slightest frown from Nathaniel would send her scrambling to please.

But this woman - who did she think she was?

Harrison met his fury with icy calm. "So you do understand the risks of promiscuity? How convenient you forgot that last night when offering to procure men for me."