Chapter 770

Harrison turned to leave when her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. The caller ID showed Rosalind's name flashing across the screen.

She barely managed a greeting before Nathaniel's hand shot out, snatching the device from her grasp.

"Give that back!" Her voice remained steady despite the fire in her eyes.

Nathaniel's grip tightened on her shoulder. "I won't let you take Charlotte away. Not again."

Harrison stepped back, putting distance between them. "You don't own us. We're leaving."

The thought of losing them again sent waves of panic through Nathaniel. He'd barely survived their last separation.

A blinding pain suddenly lanced through his skull, far worse than the medication could suppress. His face drained of color.

Harrison seized the moment to push past him. "If you won't leave, then I will."

She secured the plane tickets in her purse and turned toward the door.

"Don't!"

Nathaniel caught her from behind, crushing her against his chest despite the agony screaming through his nerves. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her familiar scent like a drowning man gasping for air.

The pain was excruciating - and yet, having her close brought him perverse relief.

"Release me!"

"Never." His voice cracked. "I can't lose you both again."

Without warning, Nathaniel spun her around and pressed her into the sofa cushions. His lips claimed hers in a desperate, punishing kiss.

Harrison shoved against his chest. "Stop this!"

But Nathaniel only deepened the kiss, drinking her in like a man starved. The taste of her momentarily dulled the relentless pounding in his skull.

Outside, tires crunched on the driveway.

Rosalind stepped out of a sleek black Mercedes, followed closely by Isabella.

"See for yourself," Rosalind said smugly, entering the security code. "They're together."

Isabella's lips curled in disbelief. "Impossible. The curse should prevent this."

The front door swung open to reveal Nathaniel pinning Harrison to the couch, their bodies tangled in passionate embrace.

Rosalind averted her eyes with a theatrical gasp. "Still can't keep their hands to themselves, I see."

Isabella froze, her carefully constructed world shattering. The Heartchain Curse was supposed to make physical contact unbearable. How was he touching her?

"Stanley!" The name tore from Isabella's throat. "What are you doing?"

At the sound, Harrison jerked away, her lips swollen from the kiss. Nathaniel reluctantly released her - only to immediately pull her back against his side.

His gaze locked onto Isabella's. "Isn't it obvious?"

The challenge in his voice sent Isabella stumbling back a step. Everything she'd planned was unraveling before her eyes.