Chapter 266

Losing Nathaniel shattered Harrison in ways she never anticipated.

She couldn't pinpoint exactly why his absence hurt so deeply. He'd never shown her kindness. Yet everyone has that one person who carves a permanent space in their heart, deserved or not.

She loved Nathaniel.

Her fingers clutched the diamond pendant he'd given her - a treasure she'd never relinquish. But her heart knew the truth.

She'd lost him.

She'd lost her protector.

At that exact moment, Nathaniel sat in his Bentley Continental, idling by the curb. Through spotless glass, he watched Harrison curled on the pavement, her shoulders shaking with violent sobs.

A crimson tint seeped into his dark irises. His knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. A dull ache spread through his chest, thick and suffocating.

His phone buzzed. Isabella.

"Nathaniel, did you finalize the divorce?" Her cheerful voice pierced the silence.

His throat tightened as his gaze remained fixed on Harrison. "Yes."

"Perfect! Come back to the hospital immediately. I want to see those papers myself."

The call ended with Isabella's satisfied hum.

Nathaniel blinked. The red haze cleared, leaving icy detachment. It was over between them.

Strangers now.

The woman he loved - the one he'd devote himself to - was Isabella.

The Bentley's engine roared as he sped toward the hospital.

Harrison dragged herself back to the dorm. Confetti rained down as she opened the door to Rosalind and Gabrielle's grinning faces.

"Congratulations! Another date with Mr. Falcon?"

Their smiles died when they saw her. Harrison's face was ghostly pale, eyes swollen and bloodshot.

"Harrison, what's wrong?"

"Your hands are freezing! Talk to us!"

She silently produced the divorce papers. "It's fine. Nathaniel and I are divorced now."

"What?"

Both girls gasped.

"Harrison, explain this! Why would you— Harrison!"

Her vision darkened. She collapsed, burning with 107°F fever. Chills and heat waves alternated as her body rebelled against the heartbreak.

The divorce had broken her completely.

Isabella's week-long hospital stay was ending, her wrist nearly healed. With Nathaniel and Victoria's constant care, her recovery progressed swiftly.

Penelope arrived bearing orchids. "Discharge date?"

Isabella's rosy cheeks dimpled. "Tomorrow." Nathaniel handed her a sliced pear. He'd transformed her room into his office, with Dominic delivering documents daily.

Isabella savored the sweet fruit and sweeter victory.

Penelope turned to Nathaniel. "Mr. Falcon, I heard about the divorce." Isabella beamed. "Yes! Harrison's no longer Mrs. Falcon!"

Their families' fates were intertwined - one's gain was the other's. Plus, Penelope had always despised Harrison.

Penelope smirked. "Rumor has it Harrison fell gravely ill afterward. Missed a week of classes!"