Chapter 249
“Don’t,” Nathaniel’s voice was low and firm. “We must respect her privacy.”
Even though every fiber of his being screamed to uncover the truth, Nathaniel would never pry. Not unless Isabella chose to confide in him herself.
Benjamin simply nodded and slipped into the car, waiting quietly.
Outside the Montgomery estate…
Isabella and Benjamin walked side by side along the tall iron fence. As they reached the gate, Isabella stopped and turned to him. “Not a word to anyone about Nathaniel saving you today. Or about my connection to him.”
Benjamin’s brow furrowed. “Why?”
These were two of the most powerful people in the city. Anyone else would flaunt such an association. Why was she deliberately hiding it?
A dark suspicion crossed his mind. “Isabella,” he said urgently, “tell me the truth. Are you his mistress?”
His mistress?
She shot him a sharp, icy glare. “Do I look like the type to be anyone’s mistress?”
“Then why the secrecy?” he pressed. “And why did that boy call you ‘Mommy’?”
Isabella’s gaze flickered toward the luxury car idling in the distance. Her voice dropped to a hushed tone. “That’s none of your concern. I have my reasons. My own plans. If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I will make sure Grandfather reconsiders his decision about you.”
With that, she turned to leave.
Benjamin quickly grabbed her arm, his expression grave. “I don’t care what’s between you and Nathaniel Blackwood. But you need to understand… it can never work. He asked me about what happened five years ago. I didn’t tell him anything. But if he ever finds out the truth, he will leave you. You should end it now, before you get hurt.”
Isabella’s brow furrowed slightly. So Nathaniel had been asking about the past. After the scene Alexander caused at the Celestial Gala, it wasn’t entirely surprising.
She pulled her arm free from his grasp. “I know what I’m doing.”
Benjamin watched her walk away, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him. The Isabella he remembered was the girl everyone looked down on, the one who had supposedly betrayed Alexander five years ago. Now she was involved with Nathaniel Blackwood? She was wealthy and powerful in her own right. Why would she choose this path? It wasn’t his business anyway. She was just an adopted member of the family. They weren’t even related by blood…
Isabella returned to the car. Out of habit, her hand moved toward the passenger door. But Benjamin’s warning echoed in her mind. She changed direction and slid into the backseat instead.
Nathaniel’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, noting the change. He said nothing, simply starting the engine and pulling away.
Inside the car, Oliver was curled against Isabella’s side. He peeked at Nathaniel in the front seat, then at Isabella beside him. Deciding to play asleep, he closed his eyes tightly. Soon, soft, rhythmic snores escaped him, like a contented little kitten.
Isabella gently brushed the hair from his forehead, her heart aching with a familiar sorrow. If her own child had lived, he would be about Oliver’s age now. How wonderful it would be to watch him grow. To be his mother.
But would Nathaniel ever be able to accept her past?
She caught herself. Cough. What was she thinking? Wanting Nathaniel’s acceptance? What was wrong with her?
The car came to a stop at a red light. Nathaniel glanced up, his eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror. After a moment of silence, he spoke. “Julian threatened you today?”
Isabella gave a noncommittal hum, not really wanting to discuss it.
Nathaniel’s voice was steady, his gaze intense even through the reflection. “No matter how difficult the situation,” he said, “you can always come to me.”