Chapter 83

Isabella squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact.

But she never hit the ground.

Strong arms caught her, cushioning her fall.

She landed squarely against a warm, solid chest.

A pained grunt echoed beneath her.

Nathaniel.

Her eyes fluttered open to find him sprawled beneath her, his body taking the brunt of their crash.

A crimson stain was already blooming across his shoulder, seeping through his white shirt.

"Are you hurt?" Her voice was tight as she scrambled up, Oliver clutched safely in her arms. A thread of panic she didn't recognize laced her words.

He managed a weak, pained smirk. "You're worried about me."

"Stop being ridiculous, Nathaniel! This isn't a joke!" She shot him a sharp look, her heart hammering.

"Just a scratch from the glass. It's nothing." He pushed himself up, wincing slightly, trying to downplay it for her.

Her eyes scanned his back. A shallow cut, but thankfully, nothing more serious. The rest of him seemed intact.

This Ferris wheel was a death trap. She needed to call for help immediately.

As she fumbled for her phone, the massive structure shuddered and then, inexplicably, the machinery groaned back to life.

The ride resumed its slow, creaking rotation.

What incredible timing.

"See? It's okay now. Don't be afraid." Nathaniel's voice was low, a soothing balm. He mistook her stunned silence for terror.

A warmth radiated from his tone, gentle and reassuring.

He couldn't help the flicker of satisfaction seeing her concern for him.

Oliver peeked out from her embrace, a tiny, secret smile playing on his lips. Yes! Isabella likes Nathaniel a little more now!

Finally, the ride shuddered to a complete stop at the platform.

"That's enough for today. You need to go home and tend to that wound," Isabella stated firmly, carrying Oliver out of the carriage.

"It's truly nothing. A simple bandage will suffice," Nathaniel murmured, brushing it off.

He wasn't about to let this rare opportunity slip away. This was his chance.

Isabella grimaced. "Nathaniel, be serious..."

"Then do it for Oliver. You know how much he adores you. And so do I." His words hit her with unexpected force, making her chest feel strangely full.

"Oliver needs his mommy! Oliver doesn't want to leave mommy!" The little boy's eyes instantly welled up with big, fat tears. His lower lip trembled dramatically.

"If mommy leaves Oliver... mommy might leave forever..." He looked utterly heartbroken, on the verge of a full-blown sob.

The sight wrenched her heart. How could she say no to this precious five-year-old?

"Don't cry, sweetheart. I like you very much. I'll definitely find another time to play with you, okay?" She forced the comforting words out, her resolve crumbling.

"Really? Pinky promise, mommy!" Oliver's tears vanished, replaced by a brilliant, hopeful smile as he eagerly locked his tiny pinky with hers.

What had she just done?

She had intended for this to be the final goodbye. But now, bound by a promise to Oliver, there would inevitably be a next time.

Nothing was going according to her plan.