Chapter 31

Harrison might have endured a difficult past, but she never stopped believing in love.

Whether it was Victoria or Nathaniel, she had always loved with her whole heart. Loving someone didn't mean surrendering her dignity, and it certainly didn't give anyone the right to mistreat her—especially now that her feelings had faded.

She no longer loved Nathaniel.

Nathaniel studied her calm expression with icy detachment, his lips curling into a derisive smirk. "You're seriously telling me you don't love me anymore?"

"Yes—mmph!" Harrison barely got the word out before he crushed his lips against hers.

Her mind short-circuited. A dizzying wave of blankness swallowed her thoughts. Her eyes flew open in shock—he had actually kissed her.

This wasn't their first kiss, but last time, in the shower, she had been the one to initiate it. Now, he was the one taking control.

Harrison immediately fought back, shoving against his chest. "Nathaniel, let go of me!"

His powerful frame pinned her against the wall as his kiss deepened, rough and possessive, like he was staking a claim. Before she could react, he seized the chance to slip past her parted lips, invading her mouth with ruthless dominance.

Instantly, his crisp, masculine scent overwhelmed her. It was intoxicating.

Harrison had never been intimate with another man—she was inexperienced, untouched. Her body was hypersensitive, unfamiliar with this kind of contact. The heat of his lips and the slick slide of his tongue sent a flush burning through her. She felt herself melting, her resistance crumbling.

Her hands, which had been braced against his chest, slowly curled into fists, gripping the fine fabric of his designer shirt as her body went pliant against his.

Nathaniel felt her weakening and hooked an arm around her slender waist, pulling her flush against him. Then, abruptly, he broke the kiss.

Harrison's face was flushed, her lips swollen. "Why did you—"

His voice was a dark, mocking drawl. "Still sure you don't love me? One kiss and you're practically liquid in my arms."

Like this, she had the nerve to criticize his skills? Look at how wrecked she was already.

It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her. The heat in her cheeks drained, replaced by humiliation. She realized then—his kiss had been nothing but a calculated humiliation.

He hadn't even closed his eyes. He had watched her unravel, cold and detached, taking pleasure in her helpless response.

Nathaniel smirked, his gaze lingering on the lingering haze in her eyes. "So responsive, aren't you?"

A man like him knew exactly what he was doing. And right now, his only goal was to make her feel small.

Harrison burned with shame. He had truly humiliated her.

She hated him—but she hated herself more, because her body still reacted to him. Maybe part of her still loved him, and that was exactly what he was mocking.

But Harrison wasn't the type to take humiliation lying down. If someone struck, she struck back—hard.

She steadied herself, then leaned in until her face was inches from his.

"Exactly. And if you can't satisfy me, I'll find someone who can. You've been sleeping with Isabella—why shouldn't I do the same? Nathaniel, what exactly are you so proud of? If Alexander kissed me, I'd react the exact same way."

She deliberately emphasized Alexander's name, her voice sharp with challenge.

Nathaniel's expression darkened instantly. A cruel smile twisted his lips.

"What a shame. I should've recorded what just happened and shown it to Alexander—let him see who's really playing his part."