Chapter 738

Nathaniel's arms ached to embrace Harrison and Charlotte, to hold them both securely against his pounding heart.

The possibility that Charlotte might be his biological daughter sent electric currents of anticipation through his veins, quickening his pulse.

He took a decisive step forward. "Charlotte..."

The little girl spun toward his voice and launched herself into his waiting embrace. "Pretty Daddy!"

Nathaniel pressed a featherlight kiss to her forehead. "Give me your biggest hug, princess."

As he enveloped Charlotte in his muscular arms, his fingers deftly plucked a single golden strand from her curls.

Giggles bubbled from Charlotte's lips.

The bathroom door clicked open as Harrison reappeared. "Charlotte..."

"Mommy!" The child's face illuminated like sunrise.

Harrison's voice softened. "What have you been doing while I was gone?"

Victoria swiftly produced Charlotte's artwork. "She drew this family portrait. She wants Nathaniel to be her father permanently and for all three of you to live together forever."

Harrison's breath caught as she studied the crayon drawing. Her gaze lifted slowly to meet Nathaniel's.

A tender smile played on Nathaniel's lips. "I'd be honored to be Charlotte's father, but that decision belongs to her mother. What do you say, Harrison? Shall I become Charlotte's daddy?"

The little girl bounced on her toes. "Please Mommy? I want Pretty Daddy to stay with us always!"

Harrison's throat worked visibly. "Sweetheart, these matters are... complicated. Let's discuss this later, alright?"

Charlotte's lower lip trembled—

Victoria smoothly intervened. "Dinner's getting cold. Harrison, why don't you freshen up first?"

Nodding stiffly, Harrison retreated to the sink.

Victoria extracted Charlotte from Nathaniel's arms with a knowing smirk. "You've got mountains to move if you want your family back. Best of luck."

Nathaniel remained silent, staring at the golden strand coiled in his palm. If Charlotte shared his DNA, then Harrison was irrevocably his.

Dominic materialized at his elbow. "Mr. Falcon."

"Have this tested immediately." Nathaniel passed the hair with military precision. "I want chain-of-custody protocols and results before midnight."

"Understood." Dominic vanished as quietly as he'd appeared.

At the marble sink, Harrison scrubbed her hands mechanically. As water cascaded over her fingers, an unmistakable heat pressed against her back.

Nathaniel.

She gasped as his arms caged her against the counter. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Harrison twisted—left, right—but Nathaniel mirrored each movement, his powerful frame eliminating every escape route.

Her crystalline eyes locked onto his chiseled features. "You're in my way."

Nathaniel braced his hands on the sink, effectively trapping her. His grin turned wolfish. "Observant as ever. What will you do about it?"

When Harrison shoved against his chest, he didn't yield an inch. Instead, he dipped his head until his breath warmed her lips.

"Kiss me," he murmured, "and I'll let you pass."

Harrison scoffed. "Absolutely not."

Nathaniel captured her chin between thumb and forefinger. "Your refusal only makes me want to claim you more."

His mouth crashed down on hers in a searing kiss that stole her breath.

"Mmmph!"