Chapter 16
“Nathaniel, can you go shopping with me?” The call from Isabella came the moment Emily left.
A faint smile tugged at Nathaniel’s lips. Finally, there were no more obstacles between them no one left to hurt the person he’d sworn to protect
He drove to pick her up, taking her to the mall to choose outfits.
“What should I wear tomorrow?” Isabella flitted around like an excited sparrow.
Nathaniel’s gaze softened. “You’d look beautiful in anything. Mr. Hawthorne will adore you no matter what.”
She pouted. “You’re just saying that! How do you know what he’ll like?”
He only smiled.
No need to rush. Tomorrow’s surprise would be worth the wait.
After clothes, they visited a jewelry boutique–one owned by the Hawthorne Group. The manager had been instructed to personally attend to Isabella the moment she stepped in. “Mr. Hawthorne’s orders–anything Miss Montgomery desires is hers to take.”
A delicate blush colored her cheeks. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly! Just one piece will do.”
Even the manager was impressed by her apparent modesty.
Turning to Nathaniel, Isabella batted her lashes. “Nathaniel, you have great taste. Help me pick a bracelet?”
His eyes fell to the ruby bracelet already adorning her wrist. “This one suits you perfectly.”
Her smile widened. She’d known he favored this piece–why else would she wear it every time they met?
“But this was only 100,000. Wouldn’t it seem cheap to wear it when meeting Mr. Hawthorne?”
The shy anticipation in her eyes warmed him. “Never. Everything about you is perfect.”
Night had long fallen when he finally escorted her home.
“Looking forward to tomorrow?”
“So much!” she breathed–then, remembering his role, squeezed his hand. “But no matter what, you’ll always be my most important
friend!”
Most important.
Abandoned by his mother. Betrayed by his father. Tormented by his stepfamily.
No one had ever called him that.
Not even Emily, despite chasing him for three years…
He gently ruffled her hair, decades of scars soothed by her words.
Only after his car disappeared did Isabella drop the act.
Victoria frowned. “Mr. Hawthorne arrives tomorrow! Why bother with him? Don’t tell me you actually—”
“Come on, “Isabella’s giggle turned venomous. “He’s just the dog Emily raised. Everything she treasures, I take her brother, her man, her SKP championship… even her dead mother’s belongings. Even her ashes. She’s as weak as that pathetic woman. Remember those photos we sent? Showing up on her birthday?” A laugh bubbled out. “Two more years of suffering? She croaked in three months!”
Victoria beamed with pride. “You truly outshines them both!”
Unseen at the staircase, Benjamin silently retreated into the shadows.
