Chapter 785

Harrison's lips curved into a tender smile. "I haven't gone anywhere."

Nathaniel's voice trembled with barely concealed fear. "But will you? When I can't see you, I'm terrified you'll take Charlotte and disappear from my life again."

Silence stretched between them.

Nathaniel pressed forward, his voice breaking with raw emotion. "I know you're trying to protect me from the Heartchain Curse. But losing you and Charlotte would hurt far worse than any curse. Whatever comes our way, we'll face it together. Please don't push me away. Don't leave me again. We've already wasted three years—I can't bear to lose you both for another three, or longer."

Touched by his words, Harrison raised her hand, pressing it against the cool wood of the door. She ached to see him, but for his safety, this barrier had to remain between them.

Her lips curved gently. "I promise I won't leave you."

No matter how impossible the odds seemed, as long as they stood united, she believed they could overcome anything.

A faint smile tugged at Nathaniel's lips. "That's all I needed to hear."

Outside, Henry and Isabella watched the exchange with quiet warmth.

Henry stepped forward. "We share responsibility for this curse. Harrison is our goddaughter now. You have our full support."

Nathaniel blinked in surprise. "Wait—Harrison is your...?"

Isabella chuckled. "We adore her, so we made it official. We're even throwing a grand celebration to announce it. From now on, we'll look after her as our own."

Nathaniel's chest swelled with gratitude. Knowing Harrison had two more people who cherished her filled him with quiet joy.

Henry clapped Nathaniel on the shoulder. "Never thought after all these years, you'd still wind up as my son-in-law."

Then Henry's expression turned mischievous. "Though if I recall, you once swore you'd never marry a Lancaster—"

"Enough!" Nathaniel cut him off, realizing how thoroughly he'd trapped himself. "I'm honored to be your son-in-law."

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Inside the room, Harrison stifled a quiet laugh. If not for the curse, they would have been married by now.

Henry grinned. "Don't get ahead of yourself. You'll only earn that title once you've officially made Harrison your wife."

Isabella nodded in agreement. "Harrison calls the shots here. You'll have to win her over first."

The lighthearted moment shattered as Nathaniel suddenly paled. A sharp, familiar pain lanced through his skull.

"Nathaniel!" Henry caught him before he could stumble.

Inside, Harrison sensed his distress instantly. "Nathaniel, what's wrong?" she called anxiously.

He steadied himself. "It's nothing."

Harrison's voice turned firm. "You can't keep enduring this. We need to take control of the situation."

Henry frowned. "Do you have a plan?"

Isabella smiled knowingly. "You've always been resourceful. I'm sure you've thought of something."

Harrison exhaled slowly. "I do."

Nathaniel leaned closer to the door. "Tell me."

She hesitated, then asked softly, "Will you trust me?"

"Always."

Harrison drew a steadying breath. "Then you need to marry Isabella."

The silence that followed was deafening.