Chapter 7

Isabella smiled, her heart overflowing with sweetness. She melted into Nathaniel's embrace, lifting her flawless face to meet his gaze.

"I always knew you couldn't resist me. You'd never truly let me go."

Nathaniel, Willowbrook's most powerful man, carried himself with the effortless authority of someone who moved markets with a single word. He embodied every woman's fantasy of the perfect man.

But three years ago, when doctors declared he'd remain in a vegetative state after that horrific accident, how could she sacrifice her youth waiting for a man who might never wake?

So she ran.

Yet somehow, Harrison - the woman who married him in her place - managed to wake Nathaniel within three years.

Even now, Isabella couldn't comprehend his miraculous recovery. Was Harrison's destiny somehow intertwined with his?

Doctors called it impossible. A one-in-a-million chance.

So Isabella returned. She knew Nathaniel's heart still belonged to her.

Nathaniel studied Isabella's radiant face. "If not for what happened... would I still indulge you like this?"

At his words, guilt flickered across Isabella's features before she quickly changed the subject.

"Have you slept with Harrison?"

Nathaniel's gaze darkened. "Why would I touch her when I have you?"

She'd known the answer, but wanted to hear him say it. His teasing response sent heat rushing to her cheeks.

This was the Nathaniel she adored - the dangerous edge beneath his composed exterior that made her want to unravel him completely.

Isabella shifted boldly, straddling his lap. Her arms circled his neck as she brought her lips dangerously close. Her breath warmed his skin. "Do you want me?"

Dominic, Nathaniel's longtime secretary, discreetly raised the privacy partition in the Rolls-Royce.

Nathaniel remained silent.

Her red dress had ridden up, revealing those legendary legs - voted "Willowbrook's Most Beautiful" three years running. Now they wrapped around his tailored trousers in a deliberately provocative display.

Isabella tightened her thighs around him. "Say it. Do you want me right now?"

If he said yes, she'd give herself to him without hesitation.

Nathaniel understood perfectly.

But suddenly, an image flashed through his mind - Harrison's legs at the bar earlier that evening.

Perfectly proportioned. Elegant yet strong.

She'd asked which legs he preferred - hers or Isabella's.

Harrison had playfully dangled her stiletto, the delicate chain glinting as her toes brushed against his leg. Teasing him about whether Isabella's legs had ever wrapped around him like this.

Nathaniel removed Isabella's arms from his neck. "I'm still married."

Isabella frowned. "And?"

"I don't cheat on my wife," he said coolly.

The words shattered the moment.

Isabella slid off his lap, pride wounded. She'd only give herself if he truly wanted her.

"When are you divorcing Harrison?" she demanded.

Nathaniel's gaze shifted to the city lights. Truthfully, it was better this way - Harrison initiating the divorce fit perfectly with his plans.

"Soon," he replied, voice detached.

Meanwhile, Harrison returned to her apartment with Gabrielle. Collapsing onto her bed, she exhaled deeply. Tonight's indulgence was over - time to return to reality.

She pulled out her phone, switching WhatsApp accounts.

For three years, she'd used "Mrs. Falcon." That identity was officially retired now.

Logging into her original account, notifications exploded instantly. The group chat "One Big Happy Family" buzzed with activity.

[Harrison's back online!] Maxwell typed excitedly.

[Welcome home!] Evelyn added.

[Group hug!] Oliver chimed in.

Her three mentors showered the chat with virtual confetti.

[Three years ago, our Harrison left the mountains starry-eyed for love. So, was he worth it?] Maxwell asked.

[Not even close,] Harrison replied.

[Our girl got her heart broken! Haha!] Evelyn wrote.

[Even Harrison can't conquer everything? Hilarious!] Oliver added.

[Stop teasing her. Consider these three years her... worldly education. Sorry, can't help laughing! Hahaha!] Maxwell typed.

Harrison rolled her eyes.

She swiftly renamed the group "One Big Nosy Family."

Then Oliver turned serious. [Harrison, it's time to return. We're swamped. I've booked you for a complex cardiac procedure tomorrow at the naturopathy center.]

Harrison sent a thumbs-up emoji.

As she exited the chat, a friend request notification popped up - from Nathaniel.

The irony wasn't lost on her. For three years, she'd messaged him daily as "Mrs. Falcon" without a single reply. Now he was reaching out to her real account.

'You had your chance when I cared. Now you'll find I'm untouchable.'

Harrison's fingers hovered over the screen before decisively tapping her response.

At Falcon Enterprises...

The Falcon Tower dominated Willowbrook's skyline, its gleaming facade reflecting the city lights. After dropping Isabella home, Nathaniel returned to his office.

The sharp scratch of his pen filled the silence as he signed documents with bold strokes. The floor-to-ceiling windows framed him against the glittering cityscape - a king surveying his domain.

A WhatsApp notification chimed.

Nathaniel picked up his phone to see Harrison's response.

For the first time that night, a genuine smirk curved his lips as he let out a low chuckle.