Chapter 43

Eleanor's voice softened as she gestured toward the door. "Go on, my dear."

Harrison gave a small nod before slipping out of the room.

Nathaniel approached the bedside, only to be met with Eleanor's sharp reprimand. "What are you doing here? Get out this instant!"

A genuine smile touched Nathaniel's lips as he murmured, "Grandmother, I apologize. I was wrong."

Eleanor's expression softened marginally, though her tone remained firm. "Your apology means nothing to me. The one who deserves it is Harrison!"

Reginald chimed in indignantly. "Exactly, Mr. Falcon! You ran off with that Isabella without a second thought. When Mrs. Eleanor fainted, it was Mrs. Harrison who stayed by her side! It's as if she's the true family, and you're merely adopted!"

Nathaniel stood frozen, words failing him.

"And then you shoved Harrison into that table!" Eleanor added sharply. "Just because she didn't cry out doesn't mean it didn't hurt!"

"Mr. Falcon, you must search your conscience," Reginald continued. "You can't keep treating Mrs. Harrison this way!"

The verbal assault continued, with Nathaniel remaining silent throughout. His gaze flickered toward the doorway where Harrison had disappeared before he finally spoke. "Grandmother, since you're recovering well, I'll return to my room now."

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and left.

Once the door closed, Eleanor sighed deeply. "Harrison is such a remarkable woman. How could Nathaniel be so blind to her worth?"

Reginald leaned closer. "Mrs. Eleanor, when you were unconscious earlier, you kept calling for Mr. Falcon. Mrs. Harrison heard you—that's why she went to the hospital to bring him back. She never said a word about it, but I know she did it to prevent any rift between you two."

Eleanor nodded, touched by the revelation. She'd always recognized Harrison's exceptional qualities.

"Harrison has spent her life starved for love, while Nathaniel... Nathaniel understands love too well. Harrison knows this, which is why she loves him so completely."

Nathaniel had been born with every advantage—charming, cultured, and skilled in the art of affection. He'd spoiled Isabella to the point of ruination, a fact obvious to anyone with eyes.

Harrison recognized this truth, which explained both the depth of her devotion and the frequency of her heartbreak.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Eleanor," Reginald reassured. "I believe one day Mr. Falcon will love Mrs. Harrison. And when that day comes, he'll love her beyond reason."

Eleanor chuckled softly. "I share your belief. And I suspect that day may come sooner than we think!"

Back in their suite, Nathaniel found Harrison freshly showered, dressed in one of his white dress shirts as she applied skincare at the vanity. She didn't acknowledge his entrance.

Nathaniel perched on the edge of their bed. "Harrison."

Silence.

He loosened his tie and tried again. "Harrison."

Still nothing.

She rose from the vanity, clearly intending to go straight to bed without acknowledging his presence. As she moved past him, Nathaniel's hand shot out, capturing her delicate wrist. With one smooth motion, he pulled her onto his lap.

The impact hurt.

His muscular thighs were like granite beneath her, the sheer masculine power of him making her feel she might break in two.

Harrison winced and struggled. "Release me."

Nathaniel held firm, keeping her trapped against him. Amusement colored his deep voice as he murmured, "Why the silent treatment?"