Chapter 269

The moment Isabella stepped inside, Gordon informed her that Nathaniel had coughed up blood again—a significant amount this time. A cold dread slithered down her spine.

If Nathaniel didn’t recover, or if this illness became chronic, she would carry the weight of guilt forever. Every waking moment would be a reminder of what she owed him.

Her expression hardened as she marched to his bedside. Without ceremony, she seized his wrist, her fingers pressing against his pulse with clinical precision.

Nathaniel’s eyes widened slightly. The intensity of her focus was almost comical—like a seasoned physician diagnosing a terminal patient.

"Your condition is critical. You need to take your medication now. Waiting until tomorrow could be disastrous." Her voice was sharp, edged with irritation. Just as she moved to release him, Nathaniel’s large hand closed around hers, trapping her cool fingers in his warmth.

Isabella gasped, her breath catching.

"Your hands are freezing. Is it cold outside?" His thumb brushed over the scars still marring her skin, and his chest tightened with regret. "I’m sorry for dragging you here so late because of me."

"You should be sorry!" She yanked her hand back, her temper flaring. "If you’re truly remorseful, then take your damn medicine. Stop acting like a child! Do I need to spoon-feed you?"

"No," Nathaniel murmured, his voice soft. "I just didn’t know how else to see you. I wanted to see you, Isabella."

"Fine. You’ve seen me. Now take your medicine." Her tone was icy, unimpressed by his sudden meekness.

Frustration coiled inside her, fueled by Olivia and Daniel’s earlier words. She checked her watch impatiently. "Hurry up. After this, I need to return to Skycrest. Olivia’s home tonight, and I won’t waste another second here with you."

Nathaniel flinched. His fingers curled into a fist.

The woman who once adored him now barely tolerated his presence.

But he had no one to blame but himself. Regret was a bitter pill, but he’d swallow it.

Winning her back seemed impossible, but he’d keep trying until his last breath.

"Isabella, you can’t deny I’m in this state because of you," he said, desperate to prolong their time. "I nearly died for you. You can’t just walk away."

"What do you want?" Her eyes flashed with anger.

"Stay. Take care of me until I’m discharged." His gaze never left her face.

Isabella laughed bitterly. "I’ve never met anyone as shameless as you!"

Disgust twisted in his gut—but he’d seen how Alexander pursued women. Relentlessness worked.

Nathaniel didn’t know passion, but he knew persistence.

"Listen," she snapped, her voice glacial. "I’m not your wife, nor am I a servant of the Kingsley family. I owe you nothing. Remember how you dismissed my care before? You found it annoying. Now you’re begging? What’s wrong with you?"

"I love you, Isabella!" The words burst from him, raw and unguarded. "I don’t care if you hate me. I love you. I’ve fallen for you."

She recoiled, stunned.

Silence swallowed the room, their heartbeats the only sound.

"If you’d said that three years ago, I would’ve believed you. But it’s too late." Her voice was hollow. "Our love expired. I don’t love you anymore."

"I know it’s too late. But I won’t give up." Sweat beaded on his forehead. He wanted to reach for her but feared she’d bolt. "You don’t love me? Fine. This time, let me love you."

"Enough!" Her voice cracked like a whip. "I don’t want your love! How many times must I say it? If you mention this again, I’m leaving!"

Nathaniel clamped his mouth shut.

After a tense pause, he ventured, "If I don’t bring it up… will you stay tonight?"

"Dream on."

"You promised me a favor for saving your life."

"Yesterday, didn’t you—" She broke off, cheeks flushing as she remembered his kiss. Heat prickled across her skin.

"You mean the kiss? That didn’t count." His lips curved, smug.

Her glare could’ve melted steel.

"I forced it, but you fought back." He pointed to his split lip. "Proof."

"Serves you right! For a scoundrel like you, I should’ve bitten it clean off!" Her face burned.

Nathaniel leaned back, grinning. "Go ahead."

She gritted her teeth. The urge to flip his bed was overwhelming.

Seeing no escape, Isabella relented. She’d stay—just tonight.

She’d left in such a rush that she hadn’t packed anything. Daniel was sent to fetch her pajamas and toiletries from Elmsworth Manor.

In the hallway, Daniel returned, expression grim.

"Thanks. Go rest. Pick me up early tomorrow." She reached for the suitcase, but he held tight, eyes red-rimmed.

"Miss Isabella, please come home."

"Nathaniel’s request isn’t unreasonable. I owe him this."

"But you’re sharing a room! What if he—"

"We were married for three years. If he wanted to force himself on me, he’d have done it by now."

Daniel hesitated.

Isabella waved him off. "Don’t worry. Even the worst men know the rules. If he tries anything, I’ll break him. Believe me."