Chapter 268

The newly developed medications for internal and external injuries, both produced by the Sinclair Group, were finally handed over to Isabella by Seraphina.

The following morning, Isabella sent Daniel to deliver the medicine to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel, who had been reluctant to show any weakness in front of Daniel—his rival who currently held the upper hand—felt his spirits plummet when he saw Daniel arrive alone, without Isabella.

"Where's Isabella?"

Nathaniel leaned against the headboard, his striking figure exuding an air of melancholy, his gaze tinged with self-pity.

Unfortunately for him, Isabella wasn’t there to witness his dramatic display.

"Miss Isabella is occupied. She instructed me to bring you the medicine."

Daniel placed the rare and expensive drugs on the bedside table, his expression cold as he studied Nathaniel’s pale face. "Miss Isabella said one should be applied three times daily, and the other taken once a day. She’ll send me with more in two weeks. These medications function like targeted therapies. There may be side effects—nausea, dizziness. If you experience severe reactions, inform Miss Isabella immediately. Understood?"

Nathaniel remained silent, his brows knitting together.

"Are you sure these won’t cause complications? They seem extremely potent," Harrison murmured under his breath, concerned for Nathaniel’s discomfort.

"Your life, your choice. If you think Miss Isabella is trying to poison you, don’t take them. It’s up to you."

With that, Daniel turned to leave.

"I won’t take them," Nathaniel finally spoke, his voice weak but firm.

Daniel spun around, startled. "Excuse me?"

Isabella had specifically ordered him to ensure Nathaniel took the medicine. Now, Nathaniel was refusing.

How was he supposed to report back to her?

"I’ll only take them if Isabella comes to see me herself. Otherwise, I won’t accept her charity."

Nathaniel held his ground, his eyes filled with quiet desperation. "Thirteen years ago, I saved her life. Thirteen years later, I did it again. Even if we’re divorced, even if she hates me, she can’t deny what I’ve done for her. She can’t just dismiss me like this."

"Nathaniel—"

Daniel was cut off by Nathaniel’s unwavering tone. "At the very least, this time, I want her to come and tend to me herself."

Tend to him? With affection?

Daniel clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.

Nathaniel was the last man in the world who deserved Isabella’s care.

"Exactly!"

Harrison, who usually lacked tact, suddenly grasped his boss’s intentions and chimed in. "Mr. Nathaniel has suffered endlessly to save Miss Isabella! Constant pain, loss of appetite, sleepless nights—he even coughed up blood this morning! I’m terrified he might not wake up one day! Is this how Miss Isabella repays the man who saved her life? That’s heartless!"

Nathaniel shot Harrison a look—he was overdoing it.

Daniel gritted his teeth and stormed out without another word.

The moment the door closed, Nathaniel, who had been so composed moments ago, suddenly doubled over, coughing violently, blood staining his lips.

"Mr. Nathaniel!"

Harrison panicked, frantically pressing the call button as he wiped the blood from Nathaniel’s lips. "You can’t keep doing this! Stop holding a grudge against Mrs. Sinclair! If she sent the medicine, just take it!"

"No." Nathaniel’s refusal was stubborn, his eyes shadowed with sorrow. "This is my only chance to have her by my side, even if just for a little while. Even if it kills me, I want to see Isabella. I’ll fight for this chance."

"What? That bastard refuses to take the medicine? Why?"

Isabella was having dinner with her family when Daniel pulled her aside to deliver the news. She was so furious she lost her appetite.

"He said he’ll only take it if you come personally," Daniel seethed. "He’s manipulating you! You’ve done more than enough for him. Let him suffer on his own. Don’t waste another second on him!"

"Get the car ready. We’re leaving for Elmsworth now."

Isabella’s eyes burned with anger as she issued the command and stormed off to change.

"Miss Isabella!"

Daniel watched her hurry away, his heart aching.

He had kept Nathaniel’s hospitalization a secret from the Sinclair family.

Given his position, even his health was confidential. Too many people inside and outside Sinclair Group coveted his role. If word got out, it could be used against him.

All these years, he had walked a tightrope.

All because he wasn’t Reginald’s favored son.

That night, the only visitor Nathaniel received was still Adrian.

Nathaniel hadn’t mentioned his coughing blood today, not wanting to worry Adrian or distract him from finding a solution.

"Man, you look terrible," Adrian remarked, sprawled lazily on the couch, clearly enjoying Nathaniel’s misery. Seeing him pale and exhausted, like a wilting flower, he couldn’t resist teasing, "Just a few months ago, you were the king of the world, Nathaniel."

Nathaniel barely lifted an eyelid. "What’s your point?"

"Back then, you had a devoted wife at home and a passionate lover waiting in the wings. Life was perfect, wasn’t it?"

"Adrian." Nathaniel’s face darkened, as if he might cough up blood again from sheer frustration.

"You used to complain every time we met, saying how suffocated you felt by that overly attentive woman. I envied you, you know? A thousand servants can’t compare to a woman who genuinely cares."

Adrian sighed, a hint of bitterness in his tone. He pitied Isabella and regretted his friend’s loss.

"I didn’t hate Isabella back then," Nathaniel admitted, the memory of her kindness like a dull knife twisting in his heart. "I knew how much she loved me. I pushed her away because I wanted her to face reality and leave me sooner. I couldn’t give her a future then. Staying with me would’ve wasted her time and life."

"And now? Are you trying to win her back with some half-baked friendly approach?" Adrian tilted his head, lazily pulling out a cigarette and placing it between his lips.

Remembering they were in a hospital, he didn’t light it, just satisfying the habit.

After a long silence, Nathaniel took a deep breath and whispered, "Adrian, I think I’ve fallen for her."

Damn.

Adrian nearly choked on his cigarette.

"I’ve fallen for Isabella. So, I want her back. I want to try to win her over." Nathaniel looked up, his voice trembling slightly with raw honesty.

His usually captivating eyes were now earnest, filled with determination.

"You? Chasing a woman? Are you even capable?" Adrian asked skeptically.

"There’s a first time for everything. If I can’t, I’ll learn."

Nathaniel shot him a sidelong glance. "Besides, if I fail, I still have you—my supposedly reliable wingman."

"Hey! Don’t insult me. Can’t you go five minutes without mocking me?" Adrian narrowed his eyes.

"I know you’re no expert either, or you’d have won her over by now," Nathaniel continued dryly. "But desperate times call for desperate measures. I’ll have to rely on you—reluctantly."

He had never pursued a woman before. He had never needed to chase Cassandra—she had always been the one making moves. But for Isabella, he was willing to set aside his pride and fight.

"It’s not that I’m bad at wooing women," Adrian grumbled. "It’s just that Isabella has everything—beauty, wealth, status, talent. She’s untouchable. What could I possibly offer to impress her?"

Nathaniel’s lips curved into a rare smile.

"Besides, my friend, not to crush your hopes, but you’re no longer her treasure—you’re just a weed by the roadside. Winning her back will be harder than climbing to heaven. Are you prepared for endless rejection?"

"That’s fine. I’ll keep trying. Whether she accepts me or not is her choice."

Nathaniel’s resolve was unshakable, his gaze steady. "I believe I still have a long life ahead. I won’t love anyone else. One step at a time."

Just as he finished speaking, the door burst open with a bang.

Isabella strode in, the chill of early winter clinging to her, her hair swaying, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Nathaniel! You refuse to take the medicine unless I come personally? Are you playing with your life? What’s the meaning of this?"

The moment she entered, her gaze landed on Adrian, lounging with an unlit cigarette between his lips. Enraged, she snatched it away, threw it to the ground, and crushed it under her heel.

"Are you insane? He has lung injuries! No smoke, not even unlit! Are you his friend or the Grim Reaper?"

Seeing her anger, Nathaniel couldn’t help but smile.

"But Isabella, I didn’t light it!" Adrian protested.

"Get out. Now." Isabella pointed at the door.

Adrian cast a pleading look at Nathaniel, who simply said, "When she tells you to leave, you leave."

Adrian thought, Damn. Worst wingman ever.

Once Adrian was gone, only Nathaniel and Isabella remained in the hospital room.