Chapter 38
Though she had renovated Rosewood Manor after returning from Africa, Isabella still lacked some daily essentials. Her staff delivered fresh ingredients every morning, but she never kept snacks in the house. Right now, there was absolutely nothing edible available. To make matters worse, her stomach had started cramping painfully. She checked her own pulse and realized her period would arrive in five days—and she had no sanitary pads at the manor!
Meanwhile, at the Blackwood Estate…
Oliver came running toward Nathaniel, clutching a phone tightly. “Daddy, there’s trouble! Mommy looks like she’s trapped inside her house!” he cried, his small voice trembling with worry. “She’s walking around everywhere, like she’s searching for something!” He handed the phone over to his father.
The device was linked to a high-tech drone no bigger than a leaf. Equipped with a four-million-pixel pinhole camera, it could capture crystal-clear images through glass from hundreds of meters away.
When the camera zoomed in, Nathaniel saw Isabella pacing restlessly inside the villa, one hand pressed against her lower abdomen. As a grown man, he understood immediately what was happening. He pocketed the phone and scooped Oliver into his arms.
“Are we going to see Mommy, Daddy?” Oliver asked, eyes bright with excitement.
“Yes,” Nathaniel replied simply. He carried the boy out to the car and buckled him into the backseat.
Nathaniel drove at high speed until they reached a luxury shopping mall. After parking, he turned to Oliver. “Wait for me here. Clear the paparazzi outside Rosewood Manor before we arrive.”
“Don’t worry, Daddy. I can handle it.” Oliver puffed out his chest confidently and pulled out an iPad.
Inside the mall, Nathaniel grabbed a shopping cart and began scanning the aisles. It was his first time in such a place, but he adapted quickly. Still, he couldn’t ignore the stares from other shoppers.
He filled the cart rapidly—fresh vegetables, gourmet snacks, essential groceries.
Then he reached the feminine hygiene aisle. Nathaniel froze, momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer variety of products. Shoppers around him whispered and stared in admiration.
“That man is unbelievably handsome! Way hotter than any supermodel or celebrity!”
“Oh my god, is he really buying pads? So gorgeous and thoughtful! I want a man like that!”
“Who’s his girlfriend? She’s the luckiest woman alive! I’d trade places with her in a heartbeat!”
Women nearby pulled out their phones, snapping pictures discreetly. As the crowd thickened, Nathaniel grabbed one of every type of pad on the shelf. He pushed two overflowing carts toward the checkout.
Cashiers rushed to assist him, their hearts racing just from being near him.
His purchases were packed into several large bags. Suddenly, five bodyguards in black appeared, loading the bags into the car. As Nathaniel reached the exit, he turned to Dominic. “Handle everyone who took photos.”
“Understood,” Dominic nodded, moving off to erase every digital trace.
Back at Rosewood Manor, Isabella lay on her sofa, debating whether to ask her security team to disperse the paparazzi gathered outside. It felt trivial to assign them such a minor task.
Just then, a firm knock sounded at the door. One, two, three raps—steady and evenly spaced.
Had she forgotten to activate the high-voltage security grid? Who could be knocking?
Frowning, she moved to the window and looked down. Two figures stood at her door—one tall, one small. Nathaniel wore heavily insulated gloves. Beside him stood little Oliver, adorable as always.
How did they get through? Where were the paparazzi?
As if sensing her gaze, Oliver looked up and shouted, “Mommy, open up! We brought you groceries!”