Chapter 30

The call ended abruptly with two sharp beeps. Nathaniel stood frozen, staring at the blank screen in disbelief.

She actually dared to hang up on him!

Reginald approached just then. Nathaniel's voice was clipped as he ordered, "Tell Harrison that Grandmother Eleanor has taken a turn for the worse. She needs to return immediately."

The butler hesitated. "But sir, Madam Eleanor took the medicine Mrs. Falcon prepared and is resting comfortably."

Nathaniel's eyes darkened dangerously. "Lie to her! Is that so difficult to understand?"

Reginald shifted uncomfortably. "Sir, Mrs. Falcon has cared for you and your grandmother tirelessly these past three years. Surely she deserves one evening out—"

"Reginald." Nathaniel's voice cut like ice. "Make the call. Now."

Under that piercing gaze, the butler immediately reached for his phone. "Right away, sir."

Nathaniel clenched his jaw, frustration simmering. 'This household has gone completely mad. Ever since Grandmother took her under her wing, no one follows my orders anymore!'

Thirty minutes later, Harrison rushed through the estate gates. She burst into the darkened foyer, breathless. "What's happened to Grandmother Eleanor?"

Silence greeted her. The entire mansion stood eerily dark.

"Why are all the lights—"

Before she could finish, a powerful hand seized her wrist, yanking her forward. Harrison gasped as she collided with a hard, familiar chest.

Nathaniel pinned her against the wall with bruising force.

She knew that scent anywhere. Only Nathaniel would manhandle her like this in his own home.

Her hands flew up to push against his chest. "Nathaniel, have you lost your mind?"

His laugh was dark. "Oh, now you remember my name? Weren't you just pretending not to know me?"

Moonlight streamed through the windows, illuminating his furious expression as Harrison's eyes adjusted to the dark.

She frowned in confusion. "Are you seriously angry about that? Aside from your inner circle, no one knew we were married. Should I have introduced myself as Mrs. Falcon while you paraded Isabella around as your mistress?"

"That sharp tongue!" Nathaniel gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Did your new lover teach you to speak to me this way?"

"New lover?" Harrison's breath hitched as realization dawned.

"Alexander."

She stiffened, understanding Nathaniel's twisted assumption.

Rather than explain, she smirked. "We agreed to live separate lives, Nathaniel. You were practically dry humping Isabella at The Velvet Lounge, and I said nothing. What Alexander and I do is none of your concern."

When she tried to push past him, Nathaniel slammed her back against the wall. Pain shot through her shoulder as it connected with the hard surface.

Harrison's usually gentle eyes turned to ice. Her voice was steel. "Listen carefully. I treated you well before because I loved you. But that doesn't give you the right to mistreat me. That love is gone now."