Chapter 262

Nathaniel's gaze flickered to Harrison before giving a curt nod.

"Fine."

They reached the hospital and entered the private ward where Isabella lay.

The pale figure on the bed barely stirred, her breathing regulated by machines. Blood seeped through the thick gauze wrapped around her left wrist.

Victoria rushed forward the moment she spotted Nathaniel. "Mr. Falcon, thank God you're here!"

Her steps faltered when she noticed Harrison trailing behind him. Her expression darkened instantly. "Why did you bring her?"

Harrison stared at the woman who gave birth to her with icy detachment.

Victoria's voice turned shrill. "How dare you show your face here, Harrison! Isabella needed Nathaniel last night during her cardiac episode, but you selfishly kept him away! Look what you've done - she slit her wrist! Is this what you wanted? You drove her to this! Get out!"

Blind with rage, Victoria snatched a glass from the bedside table and hurled it at Harrison.

Crack!

The glass shattered against Nathaniel's temple.

Harrison didn't feel the impact. Her vision blurred as a solid wall of muscle stepped between them.

She looked up to see Nathaniel shielding her. Blood trickled from a gash above his eyebrow.

Her breath hitched. Those dark eyes widened in disbelief. She never expected him to take a blow for her.

Victoria froze, her face draining of color. "M-Mr. Falcon, why would you-"

Nathaniel's expression remained unreadable as he stood guard over the petite woman behind him. His voice cut through the tension. "I chose not to come last night. The fault is mine, not hers. Leave her out of this."

His tone brooked no argument.

Victoria looked like she'd been slapped.

Harrison moved quickly, grabbing a clean towel to press against Nathaniel's wound. "Does it hurt?"

Meeting her worried gaze, he shook his head. "It's nothing."

Her chest tightened. After years of Victoria's cruelty, Nathaniel's protection felt foreign.

A weak moan came from the bed.

Victoria brightened. "Isabella's waking up!"

Nathaniel immediately pulled away from Harrison's touch and approached the bed.

Isabella looked fragile as she weakly lifted her hand. "Nathaniel..."

He took it in his.

Victoria launched into hysterics. "Mr. Falcon, where were you last night? Isabella waited up all night for you! She didn't sleep a wink!"

"I was beside myself with worry. You know her heart condition. When I brought her breakfast this morning, I found her unconscious in blood... so much blood..."

"The doctors barely saved her. They had to give her three transfusions."

Isabella's red-rimmed eyes brimmed with accusation. Her whisper trembled. "Why didn't you come, Nathaniel?"

Guilt twisted his features.

He'd spent the night with Harrison while Isabella, waiting in vain, had taken a razor to her wrists.

Isabella's gaze shifted to Harrison. "Why is she here? Make her leave! Nathaniel, I can't bear to look at her. Please, get her out of here."