Nathaniel Blackwo

magazine features she pretended not to read-but by the s

ed his tie the second

ers relaxed when t

y he l

sed her e

ened New York's sharp edges. Isabella arrived early, as usual, letting her

Hart," the houseke

lla replied, ret

se of its size or luxury-those things still unsettled

ark hair slightly disheveled as if he'd run his hand through it one too m

" he said with

very time," she

it rema

shifted naturally over time. What began as structured tutoring sessions had grown into somet

iced he seemed

istening," sh

harp grey eyes mee

re preten

t curve of his lip

," she

ng her in a way that made her pulse

bo

yth

ted. "You

pa

o

ed quietly. "Like you don't t

behind his eyes-

erous habit,"

ding you don'

dn't

, heavier than before, until Natha

inked.

es

where the noise of the city faded into a distan

o you ever feel like you're wait

n caught he

time," sh

d once.

t Isabella was acutely aware of his presence-his h

much about you

her d

I don't have muc

pped w

to face him

at again," he

hy

it's no

ne corrected her like tha

ed at the edge of the courtyard, phone

d, lowering his voi

aw tightened.

ersation low and urgent. She didn't strain to hear-but

anced at

iel no

ession was carefully neutr

Did

id quickly.

ing her disappoi

things, Nathaniel he

es

u... for

hat he meant. Sh

Isabella could

way his voice softened when he said her name. The concern in his eyes when she looked tired. The way

care

had once cost

with a message

u eat

a smile

, M

eating

ted before

ifferent.

t mention

felt too fra

utine restored. Nathaniel seemed more guarded again,

in the sitting room, she overheard rais

" Nathaniel

this," Lucas replied. "Es

lla f

y, guilt twisting in her stomach. She hadn't meant

her a

that day

st time, do

ings-but about her

iced the chan

fully. Built walls with pol

him more tha

the library, staring at a boo

ewhere else

are

. "What h

Sometimes I feel like I don't belong here. Like

er you choose to b

she aske

es

y in his voi

ed, "And if something ever makes

it invo

ially

eyes

tretched between the

he slow, undeniable trut

just working for N

beginnin

p inside, a quiet

le ever stays unt