Chapter 386

What was Nathaniel thinking?

Oliver noticed the sudden shift in the atmosphere. He quickly stood up and rushed out of the living room.

On the second floor, he bumped into Benjamin who was heading downstairs. He grabbed his arm firmly.

"Don't go down there," Oliver insisted. "My father and Isabella need privacy right now."

He pulled Benjamin back into the room without waiting for a response.

Benjamin looked completely bewildered by his words.

Privacy? In the middle of the day? How adventurous were Isabella and Nathaniel being?

Back in the living room, Isabella continued her confession. "There were more photos. I wore four different costumes that day."

After Alexander rejected her first rabbit costume, Victoria had suggested, "He didn't like that one? Try more styles—one of them will definitely catch his attention. Don't worry, I'll make sure nobody in the family finds out."

Five years ago, Isabella had been so naive. She had believed every word Victoria told her!

Foolishly, she had tried on various costumes, including some that were nearly transparent.

True to Victoria's promise, the family never found out. However, Alexander refused to see her for over two weeks afterward. He preferred innocent, pure girls like Victoria, not someone who seemed desperate. If not for Isabella's fifteen percent stake in the Montgomery family shares, Alexander would have broken off their engagement immediately!

Isabella pushed the memories aside and met Nathaniel's intense gaze. "Four costumes, each more revealing than the last. You'll regret loving me. It's not too late to walk away now."

Isabella preferred brutal honesty over sugarcoating the truth. She would take responsibility for her past actions. So what if Nathaniel hated her for it? She was accustomed to being alone anyway.

Yet when she saw the fire in Nathaniel's eyes, an unfamiliar fear stirred within her.

She was terrified he would say goodbye. Terrified he would abandon her.

Strangely, she cared deeply about what he thought of her...

Just as she braced for his disgust, Nathaniel's words shocked her. "It wasn't your fault."

Not her fault?

Isabella stared at him in disbelief. Was she hearing correctly? Were her senses deceiving her?

Nathaniel's voice remained firm and mature as he continued, "Loving someone and fighting for them isn't wrong. The fault lies with him. But..."

He looked deeply into her eyes. "Fortunately, he made a mistake. Fortunately, he didn't appreciate you."

His husky voice carried sincerity and magnetism, incredibly soothing to hear.

Isabella's heart skipped a beat. She understood his meaning perfectly: Nathaniel got his chance because Alexander had thrown her away.

Anyone else seeing those photos would have mocked her relentlessly. Yet Nathaniel said it wasn't her fault...

She studied the man before her. "Nathaniel, you're too good to me. How can I ever repay you?"

Nathaniel sat down opposite her and began gathering the checkers from the table. "Maybe spend more time with me? Treat me half as well as you treated Alexander."

Half as well?

Nathaniel Blackwood, settling for only half of her affection?

Isabella's red lips curved into a smile. "Sorry, but no."

No?

Nathaniel's expression darkened immediately.

Was Alexander still that important to her? Would she not even give him half of what she gave to Alexander?

"Isabella, tell me what percentage of your attention you can give me."

If she couldn't give half, couldn't she spare him at least some fraction? Isabella looked at him, her lips slowly curling upward.