Chapter 510

Isabella and Victoria were already lost in their dreams of what was to come.

Isabella's radiant smile could chase away any darkness.

"This is incredible! I'm counting down the days until Harrison performs my surgery," she gushed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

Nathaniel lingered alone in the dimly lit hospital corridor, his broad shoulders outlined by the soft glow of the overhead lights. The shadows clung to him like a second skin.

Just then, Dominic approached. "Mr. Falcon, should we return to the office tonight or head to The Regal Residences?"

Nathaniel barely moved, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "You go ahead."

"Understood, sir," Dominic replied before turning on his heel and disappearing down the hall.

Nathaniel drifted toward the window, his mind replaying the phone call between Harrison and Oliver. Harrison had said she didn’t want to stay in Willowbrook anymore. She was leaving—Oliver would take her away.

She was carrying Oliver’s child. They would be happy together, wouldn’t they?

And he had Isabella. She was his responsibility now. One day, he would marry her.

It was the right thing to do. A clean break. Separate lives. It was better this way.

It had to be better this way.

Nathaniel told himself, with every ounce of logic he possessed, that this was the best outcome for both of them.

Yet, his chest ached. Something vital was slipping through his fingers, no matter how tightly he tried to hold on.

The loss was suffocating.

And there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Once Harrison had fallen asleep, Rosalind quietly slipped out of the room. As she walked down the corridor, she spotted Everett.

He hadn’t left. Dressed in all black, he sat on a bench, his sharp features barely softened by the muted lighting.

Rosalind hurried over. "Everett, thank you! If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have reached Harrison in time."

Everett stood, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Everything settled?"

Rosalind nodded. "Yes."

"Good. See you around," he said, turning to leave.

Rosalind quickly followed. As she caught up, her gaze dropped to his hand, hanging loosely at his side. Without thinking, she reached out and intertwined her fingers with his.

Her delicate hand slipped into his, and for a heartbeat, Everett hesitated. He turned to look at her. Her small, oval face tilted up, her eyes sparkling with a brightness that outshone the dim corridor.

She smiled at him.

Everett tried to pull away, but Rosalind anticipated it. She tightened her grip. "I’m heading home too. Mind giving me a ride?"

Everett opened his mouth to refuse, but Rosalind cut in. "It’s late, and it’s dangerous for a girl to walk alone. You wouldn’t want me getting into trouble, would you?"

Silence.

His silence was agreement enough. Rosalind’s heart fluttered with triumph. "Has anyone else ever ridden with you?"

She needed to know if she was the only one.

Everett nodded. "Yeah."

Rosalind’s smile faltered.

So, other girls had been on his bike?

Her voice dropped, disappointment curling in her chest. "Who?"

Everett glanced at her. "Which one? There’s been more than one."

Rosalind’s eyes narrowed. "Everett!"

Her fist clenched, and she playfully swatted his arm.