Chapter 553

Harrison stood composed before Victoria, giving a slight nod. "You're correct."

Victoria withdrew a check from her purse, extending it toward Harrison. "Name your price. Whatever amount will make you walk away from my son."

Harrison shook her head firmly. "I don't need it."

Victoria scoffed.

"I'm certain you're aware of the engagement between the Falcon and Lancaster families. Nathaniel is destined to marry Isabella Lancaster. She's the only suitable match for him."

"The intricacies of high society are complex. This is the path Nathaniel must take—the right one."

"I've also heard rumors about you being involved with another man, carrying his child. Do you truly intend to juggle two relationships? As long as I draw breath, you will never set foot in the Falcon family estate. Abandon that fantasy now."

"If you have any sense, you'll take this check and disappear—far, far away."

Harrison met Victoria's gaze. On her way here, she had braced herself for cruelty, but the words weren't as venomous as she'd anticipated.

Strangely, Harrison found it difficult to despise Victoria. Perhaps it was because she knew Victoria's past—the pain she had endured. There was no reason to make another woman's life harder.

A faint, knowing smile touched Harrison's lips. "You've misunderstood. I refuse the check because Nathaniel and I are already over."

Over?

Victoria froze.

She had encountered countless mistresses in her time, especially the one who had shattered her—the woman her husband had cherished above all. That woman had been a master manipulator, cold and calculating. It was why Victoria loathed them all.

Yet Harrison was different from the rest.

Victoria took a moment to compose herself.

"Then what do you want? I need you to leave my son—completely."

"I want nothing. I'll walk away, so you can rest easy."

Victoria didn't feel reassured at all. The more Harrison refused, the more uneasy she became. "Then why—"

Harrison interrupted gently. "When I was with Nathaniel, I never sought his wealth, his influence, or his status. I married him when he was in a vegetative state."

Victoria stiffened.

"I'm not saying this for sympathy," Harrison continued. "I just don’t want you to misunderstand. If you do, it will create a rift between you and Nathaniel. I understand a mother's love—the sacrifices, the impossible choices of a wealthy family. I lost my father, Benjamin. I know the value of family."

Harrison had lost Benjamin; she wouldn’t let Victoria lose her son too.

In this world, beyond romantic love, there was family.

Nathaniel was devoted to his mother. Harrison refused to force him to choose between love and family. He was the child Victoria had given everything for. After losing her husband, Nathaniel had been Victoria's only light. Harrison wouldn’t take that from her.

Victoria stood motionless, studying Harrison.

Dressed in a white coat, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, Harrison looked ethereal. Her delicate face, free of makeup, glowed softly in the light—almost angelic.

She met Victoria’s gaze calmly and added, "On my way here, I counted the years. Nathaniel and I have been married for exactly four years. For the first three, he was bedridden—unconscious. All I wanted then was to see him recover."

"After he woke, we struggled to adjust, stumbling through misunderstandings. Looking back now, I realize we never truly had many happy moments together."

"So, as I said—no check is necessary. I’ll let him go."