Chapter 144

"You?" Isabella gasped, her eyes widening in shock.

The woman before him was a mess—freckles dusting her nose, hair tousled in deliberate disarray. Yet there was something endearing about her disheveled charm.

Nathaniel's lips curved into a smirk, his golden-rimmed glasses catching the light. "Surprised your blind date is me?"

Isabella pressed her lips together, momentarily speechless.

The question was blunt.

But the playful glint in his gaze softened the tension, making it feel like nothing more than a harmless tease.

"Mind if I sit?" Nathaniel asked, ever the gentleman.

"Go ahead," she replied coolly.

The man who had appeared before her that day was just as she remembered—dressed in a tailored navy suit, exuding effortless sophistication.

"That getup suits you," Nathaniel mused, tilting his head. "But you don’t need to put on an act for me. Be yourself."

Isabella coughed, cheeks flushing. "I thought my blind date was someone else. Why are you here?"

"Because I knew you’d want to see me again." He adjusted his glasses, his smile easy. "And I wanted to see you too."

His words carried weight, hinting at something deeper.

"True," she admitted, her gaze sharpening. "Ever since we first met, I’ve been curious about who you really are."

Nathaniel’s fingers twitched slightly against his knees. His voice was soft, almost reverent. "Isabella. It’s been a long time."

She blinked, caught off guard. "Yeah… long time no see."

Their childhood together was a distant memory—over a decade ago.

Back then, Nathaniel had been small, shy, with delicate features that made him an easy target. Isabella, the fearless ringleader of their school, had stepped in when others bullied him. She’d even taken down three older boys who’d dared to pick on him.

She barely remembered those days.

But he had never forgotten.

To him, she had been sunlight—bright, untouchable, burning fiercely.

"So that night at the bar, when I bumped into you drunk… you already knew who I was."

"Yes," he admitted.

"And when I was in trouble, you weren’t just passing by. You were following me."

"Guilty."

"Why?" Her brows furrowed. "If you recognized me, why not just tell me?"

"Because I was waiting." His voice roughened slightly. "Waiting for you to remember me on your own."

A pang of guilt twisted in her chest. Had she really forgotten him so completely?

"Did you pick this place?"

"Yes." His eyes gleamed. "I thought you’d like it. Reminds me of Silvercrest Bay."

A flicker of nostalgia crossed her face. "You remember that?"

"Of course." He took a slow sip of coffee, every movement refined. "We used to play hide-and-seek in your garden. You always hid behind the rockery."

She groaned, covering her face. "Oh god, you remember everything?"

He chuckled, the sound warm.

They talked for a while.

She learned he’d spent years in Helgen caring for his mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s. He’d built his own empire there, turning down countless chances to return—until now.

Isabella vaguely recalled the complicated dynamics of the Kingsley family. Four siblings, half-siblings, stepmothers—messy even by elite standards.

"Why come back now?" she asked.

His fingers traced the rim of his cup. "Because it’s time to claim what’s mine."

She nodded. In their world, if you didn’t fight, you were left with nothing.

"Dinner’s still a while off," Nathaniel said suddenly. "What should we do?"

"Huh?"

His smile turned conspiratorial. "Let me show you the roses at sunset."

Her breath hitched.

Roses.

Her favorite.

She had a garden full of them back at Silvercrest.

"Alright," she agreed instantly. "Let’s go."

In the car, Nathaniel stole glances at her.

Without her disguise, she was radiant—no makeup, hair loosely pinned up, effortlessly stunning.

"Do you remember what you called me when we first met?" he asked softly.

She frowned. "No…?"

"Little Critter."

Isabella groaned. "Oh my god."

He laughed. "You heard my father scold me with it once and never let it go."

"I was a child," she protested, cheeks burning. "I’m so sorry."

"You can still call me that if you want."

She swatted the air. "Absolutely not. You’re Nathaniel Kingsley now. That’s disrespectful."

His smile turned tender as he leaned closer.

"Alright," he murmured. "Whatever you say."