Chapter 527

Why was Nathaniel calling?

Harrison hesitated for a brief moment before answering the call. Her fingers trembled slightly as they hovered over the screen.

"Hello, Mr. Falcon."

Nathaniel's deep voice resonated through the phone, rough with emotion. "Harrison, why are you avoiding me? I need to speak with you urgently. Just five minutes of your time!"

Her breath hitched as she replied, "We settled everything at the hospital. There's nothing left to discuss between us. It's over."

A heavy silence stretched between them before Nathaniel spoke again, his tone softer now. "Please, just meet me-"

"No!" Harrison interrupted sharply, cutting off his plea.

The line went quiet.

Without hesitation, Harrison continued, "It's late. I need to rest now." She ended the call abruptly.

From across the living room, Rosalind spoke up. "Harrison, if you don't want to see him, that's your choice. But remember - Isabella is in his custody now. The Whitmores have three days before the truth comes out. The real killer won't escape justice."

Gabrielle nodded in agreement. "Absolutely! The Whitmore family is despicable! They deserve everything coming to them. Harrison, they'll pay for what they did to your father ten times over."

Oliver stood suddenly, his voice firm. "Have you decided? Once the Whitmore situation is resolved, you're leaving Willowbrook with me?"

Harrison met Oliver's gaze and nodded. "Yes, my decision is final. When this is over, we'll leave together."

A satisfied smile crossed Oliver's face. "Excellent. Grandfather and the others will be overjoyed when they hear you're returning with me!"

Gabrielle gently suggested, "You should get some rest now, Harrison. We'll take our leave."

"Alright."

As Rosalind and Gabrielle exited the apartment, they came face-to-face with Nathaniel waiting outside.

Nathaniel's piercing gaze met theirs. "She still refuses to see me?"

"Not just refuses," Rosalind replied icily, "she's made it clear that once the Whitmore matter is settled, she's leaving with Mr. Oliver."

Nathaniel's eyes darkened with emotion. Days earlier, in the hospital room, he'd overheard Harrison telling Oliver about her plans to leave Willowbrook - to start anew with him.

And now, her decision remained unchanged.

Even after learning he'd mistaken Isabella for the girl who'd saved him all those years ago, Harrison hadn't given him a single chance to make amends.

Back in her bedroom, Harrison sipped a glass of warm milk before bed. As she stood by the window, her gaze drifted downward.

There, standing motionless beneath her apartment building, was Nathaniel's unmistakable silhouette.

How long had he been standing there? He remained perfectly still, as if waiting, hoping for just a glimpse of her.

As if sensing her presence, Nathaniel slowly lifted his head, their eyes locking through the darkness.

For one suspended moment, time seemed to stop between them.

Harrison jerked away from the window, yanking the curtains shut with trembling hands. She wanted nothing more to do with him.

Her phone vibrated with an incoming message.

Nathaniel: [I saw you at the window. You saw me too, didn't you?]

Harrison ignored it.

Another message followed immediately: [I have so much to tell you. If you won't see me, I'll wait here all night.]

Harrison stared at the screen for several heartbeats before typing a brief reply: [Come up.]

Exactly two minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Harrison opened the door to find Nathaniel standing there, breathless from rushing upstairs, his face alight with hope.

"Thank you for seeing me," he breathed. "I knew you wouldn't shut me out forever."