Chapter 646
Charlotte's eyes widened in surprise as Nathaniel confessed he already had someone special in his heart.
"What's she like?" Charlotte asked, tilting her head with innocent curiosity.
A tender smile played on Nathaniel's lips. "She's breathtakingly beautiful, sharp as a whip, incredibly gifted, and carries herself with this magnetic presence. She shines brighter than anyone I've ever known."
Wow.
Charlotte's face lit up with a knowing grin. "That sounds just like my mommy! She's exactly like that too."
To little Charlotte, Harrison was her entire universe - sparkling and perfect like the rarest gemstone.
Nathaniel chuckled softly. Every child saw their mother as the most wonderful person in the world. He understood that completely.
In his eyes, no one could ever compare to Harrison's radiance.
"Are you and your special person together?" Charlotte asked with childlike bluntness.
Nathaniel shook his head, a shadow crossing his features. "Not yet. I'm still working to earn her heart."
Charlotte nodded sagely, her young mind processing this information carefully.
They had arrived at Room 808. Nathaniel glanced down at the little girl. "We're here." He reached out and pressed the doorbell.
Inside the suite, Harrison had been anxiously awaiting her daughter's return. At the sound of the chime, she stood abruptly from the sofa.
Her assistant moved toward the door, but Harrison stopped her. "I'll get it. Charlotte will want to see me first."
Harrison smoothed her dress and walked to the entrance.
Outside, Nathaniel studied Charlotte's bright face. "What's your full name, sweetheart?"
Charlotte beamed up at him. "I'm Charlotte Whitmore! But you can call me Charlie if you want."
Charlotte Whitmore?
What a charming name.
Nathaniel smiled. "And your mother's name?"
With evident pride, Charlotte declared, "My mommy's name is Harrison!"
The words struck Nathaniel like a physical blow. His tall frame went completely rigid.
His dark eyes widened in shock as he stared at Charlotte in disbelief. "What did you just say your mother's name was?"
"What's wrong? It's Harrison. H-A-R-R-I-S-O-N. At her office, people call her Jocelyn sometimes."
Nathaniel felt the world tilt beneath his feet. Charlotte's mother... was Harrison?
At that precise moment, the door swung open, and Harrison's melodic voice floated out. "Charlie, you're back—"
"Mommy! Look who I found! It's Mr. Dreamy!" Charlotte announced excitedly.
Mr. Dreamy?
Harrison's gaze lifted from her daughter to the man standing beside her—and froze.
Nathaniel's piercing eyes locked onto hers, and time seemed to stand still.
Harrison's face drained of color.
Her shocked gaze darted between Nathaniel and Charlotte. The sight of Nathaniel holding her daughter at her doorstep sent her mind reeling.
This couldn't be happening.
Nathaniel stared at Harrison, realization dawning. The timeline matched perfectly—when Harrison left three years ago, she must have been pregnant. Charlotte was their...
"Mr. Falcon," Harrison managed, her voice strained. "What are you doing here?"
Without waiting for an answer, she swiftly pulled Charlotte into her arms.
Nathaniel struggled to find his voice. "Charlotte is... your daughter?"
Harrison gave a tight nod. "Yes."
Charlotte looked between them, her innocent voice cutting through the tension. "Mommy, do you know Mr. Dreamy?"
Harrison turned to her daughter. "Charlie, is this the nice man you told me about?"
Charlotte nodded enthusiastically. "Uh-huh! He helped me when I got lost!"
The irony wasn't lost on Harrison—this was the undeniable pull of blood ties. Despite everything, Charlotte had found her way to Nathaniel. And of course she'd nicknamed him "Mr. Dreamy."
Nathaniel's voice was rough with emotion when he spoke again. "Is Charlotte... yours and Oliver's?"