Chapter 39

Eleanor gasped. "Nathaniel!"

Harrison stood frozen outside the door, stunned. She never expected Nathaniel to shield Isabella from the whip.

The message was clear - Isabella had his undeniable favoritism.

Nathaniel's voice was firm as steel. "Grandmother, that's enough. I chose to be with Isabella. She's innocent - this is all my doing. If punishment is needed, direct it at me! Leave her out of this!"

Isabella immediately clung to Nathaniel's arm. "No! Grandmother, don't hurt Nathaniel! If anyone deserves punishment, it's me!"

In that charged moment, they appeared as tragic lovers defying the world, while Eleanor became the villain separating them.

A bitter ache spread through Harrison's chest.

Eleanor's grip on the whip trembled with barely contained fury.

"Nathaniel, Harrison is your wife! Have you forgotten those three years in a coma when she never left your side? How could you betray her like this? That woman has clearly bewitched you! Today, I'll beat some sense into you!"

Blinded by rage, Eleanor swung the whip toward Nathaniel.

"Grandmother, stop!" Harrison rushed forward, placing herself between them.

Eleanor snapped, "Harrison, don't be afraid. I won't let anyone mistreat you!"

Warmth bloomed in Harrison's heart at those words.

Then Isabella cried out dramatically, "Nathaniel! The pain...it's unbearable!"

Nathaniel whirled around to see Isabella clutching her chest, face twisted in exaggerated agony.

"Isabella!"

Harrison moved to check Isabella's pulse. "Let me examine her."

Before her fingers could make contact, Nathaniel's hand shot out, gripping Harrison's wrist with bruising force.

Their eyes met - his glacial, hers startled. His voice cut like ice. "Save your fake concern!"

He shoved her away violently. Harrison's hip collided with the desk's sharp corner.

Tears sprang to her eyes from the sudden pain.

Eleanor rushed to Harrison's side, fury radiating from every word. "Nathaniel! Have you gone mad? How dare you hurt Harrison?"

Reginald stepped between them. "Mr. Falcon, this is unacceptable!"

Nathaniel stared at Harrison - her reddened eyes, the unshed tears making her appear heartbreakingly fragile.

His clenched fist twitched at his side. He seemed poised to step forward when Isabella moaned theatrically.

"Nathaniel...everything's spinning..."

She performed an Oscar-worthy near-faint.

Nathaniel reacted instantly, sweeping Isabella into his arms. "Get the car! We're going to the hospital immediately!"

Harrison looked up to see Isabella, moments ago playing the fragile victim, now smirking triumphantly from Nathaniel's embrace.

This round belonged entirely to Isabella.

Eleanor stamped her foot in outrage. "Nathaniel, if you walk out that door, don't bother coming back—"

Her vision blurred as she collapsed in a dead faint.

"Grandmother!"

"Madam!"

Harrison sprang into action, inserting silver needles with practiced precision. As she withdrew them, Eleanor's breathing steadied.

Reginald hovered anxiously. "Mrs. Harrison, how is Mrs. Eleanor?"

"She'll be fine," Harrison said, setting the needles aside. "Let her rest."

Reginald's anger flared anew. "I can't fathom Mr. Falcon's behavior! Protecting that woman at all costs!"

Isabella was clearly his weakness, and love could make even the strongest man foolish.

Harrison winced, the lingering pain in her side mirroring the ache in her heart. While Isabella likely basked in attention at the hospital, Harrison - the legitimate wife - bore the true burden of their twisted dynamic.