Chapter 507

At the recollection of those distant memories, Nathaniel's typically stern expression softened visibly.

"Indeed, it was decades ago. I was gravely wounded and stumbled into those woods. Isabella was the one who rescued me. Without her intervention, I wouldn't be standing here today. She granted me a second life."

Harrison let out a hollow laugh, the sound laced with decades of unshed tears. Her chest constricted with an indescribable ache—sharp as shattered glass yet tingling like frostbite.

All these years, she'd believed he'd forgotten.

She'd convinced herself she meant nothing to him.

Yet the truth was far more cruel.

He'd remembered all along.

Carried her in his heart through the passing years.

To discover their love had been mutual—it should have been beautiful. If only he hadn't mistaken another for her.

Tilting her chin up, Harrison met his gaze with glistening eyes. "Do you recall what you promised in that cave?"

Nathaniel nodded solemnly. "I vowed to take her with me. To build her a home. Swore I'd never abandon her." His intense stare burned into her.

"All these years, I've kept that oath. I found Isabella. Brought her into my world. Watched her blossom beside me." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Sometimes it felt like tending the rarest orchid—showering her with every affection, every indulgence in my power."

His hand came to rest gently on Harrison's shoulder.

"Now do you understand? I've no wish to be your adversary. But I cannot forsake Isabella. She may be flawed—capricious, even manipulative at times—but she's mine."

Mine.

The word shattered something in Harrison. Her pale eyelids flushed crimson as twin diamonds formed at her lash line. Through the watery haze, she studied the man before her.

He'd kept every promise.

Never abandoned her.

Nurtured her from afar.

The resentment bled from Harrison's heart like ink in water. The bitter truth? He'd brought her home long ago.

Only... he'd brought the wrong woman.

Now it was far too late.

A lifetime of missed chances stretched between them.

Nathaniel froze as crystalline drops traced paths down Harrison's cheeks. Bewilderment creased his brow. What could possibly wound her so deeply now?

His thumb brushed away a tear, calloused skin catching on silk. "Harrison, I'm sorry," he rasped, "but my heart belongs to Isabella."

Belonged to Isabella.

Through the blur, Harrison managed a ghost of a smile. "Very well. I'll treat Isabella's cardiac condition."

Nathaniel recoiled as if struck. After her earlier refusal, this sudden acquiescence made no sense. "Why the change—"

"Where's Oliver?" Harrison interrupted. "I need to hear his voice. Need confirmation he's unharmed."

Oliver's name doused whatever warmth had flickered between them. Reality crashed back—Harrison carried another man's child now.

Nathaniel's grip slackened. "He's safe." Retrieving his phone, he dialed with sharp jabs. "Put Oliver on."

Within moments, that familiar teasing baritone crackled through the speaker. "Well well, Mr. Falcon. Planning to release your hostage anytime soon?"

Silently, Nathaniel passed the device.

Harrison clutched it like a lifeline. "Oliver!"

"Harrison!" The sheer joy in his voice could have powered cities.