Chapter 67
The Harrison family estate sprawled across some of Manhattan’s most exclus real estate on the Upper East Side.
An entire city block had been reserved exclusively for the Harrison compound which wrapped around a crescent–shaped lake that showed up clearly on satellite maps. The estate encompassed the entire Moonlight Lake–hence name, Moonlight Manor,
The manor was built in soft lunar yellow stone that, when lit up at night, made the whole place glow like a full moon from above–absolutely breathtaking.
The main house sat right on the water, peaceful and stunning.
Amelia stared up at the estate, her face unreadable.
Usually she’d just drive straight through the gates, but tonight felt different, She parked outside like any other visitor.
A security guard spotted her and rushed over.
“Young Madam! You’re here! Lord and Lady Harrison have been waiting for you to come home,” the guard said, hitting a button to open the massive iron gates.
Amelia gave a small nod. “I’ll take the shuttle cart today.”
“Oh! Sure thing!” The guard looked surprised but didn’t ask questions, just made the call.
Within minutes, someone pulled up in a golf cart.
“Young Madam.” It was Orbin Larker, the estate manager. He hopped out and opened the cart door for her. “Welcome home.”
Amelia nodded and slid into the seat.
As the cart started moving, Amelia officially entered Moonlight Manor.
“Young Madam, Lady Harrison’s been asking about you nonstop,” Orbin said, navigating the winding path. “She keeps saying the house feels empty without you around–says she can’t get used to it.”
“And Lord Harrison’s been in a rage lately, threatening to break Mr. Nathan’s legs.”
“He also said that Vivian woman doesn’t belong in our world–could never measure up to you. Says he’s gonna set things straight tonight.”
Orbin kept chattering away.
Amelia half–listened.
She figured the old couple had probably coached him on what to say.
The evening breeze was picking up. Amelia pulled her coat tighter around herself.
The cart hugged the lake’s edge toward the main house. From here she could see the whole lake–wind dancing across the surface, breaking moonlight into a million glittering pieces.
A private bridge stretched from the center of the lake straight to the villa. Right now, a Bentley was crossing over to the house.
Nathan’s car.
So he was here too.
Wind caught her hair. Amelia grabbed an elastic and twisted her newly cut hair into a messy bun.
After a pause, she asked, “Has anything been going on around here lately?”
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Mr. Harrison, Wake Up Your Wife’s Gone
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Chapter 67
Orbin thought for a second. “Lord Harrison’s health has been pretty rough, a Lady Harrison’s been down too.”
“Mr. Nathan’s come by a few times, but honestly? Every visit ends in a screaming match.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are still overseas.”
“Some other folks have stopped by to check on the old couple, but that’s about.”
Amelia nodded.
At least things had been relatively quiet.
But still…
She looked ahead to where the Bentley sat parked, a tall figure standing beside it.
Nathan.
Tonight was definitely not going to be quiet.
The cart pulled up to the drop–off point. Amelia grabbed her purse and stepped out.
The second her feet hit the ground, a shadow fell across her path.
Without looking up, she knew it was Nathan.
“Mr. Nathan,” Orbin acknowledged.
Nathan waved him off with a dismissive gesture.
Neither Amelia nor Nathan said a word. They just stood there in heavy silence.
Under the moonlight, this couple who’d once been inseparable now felt like strangers on opposite sides of the world.
Nathan took in the sight of Amelia.
Her hair was twisted up instead of hanging loose around her shoulders like it used to. She was wearing different perfume–not the scent he knew by heart. Even her shoes were different–delicate stilettos instead of her usual comfortable flats.
Nathan’s brow furrowed. Late April, but she was still in that thin coat.
After being apart so long, she looked completely different.
“You cold?” Nathan finally broke the silence, reaching out to touch her arm.
But she stepped back, and his fingers barely grazed her sleeve before she pulled away.
His frown deepened.
Why did her coat hang so loose?
Had she lost weight?
Looking closer, yeah–she definitely had. Her face had always been delicate, but now that she’d gotten thinner, she looked almost breakable.
Amelia pressed her lips together, ignoring Nathan’s question and taking control of the conversation. “What do you want?”
Nathan snapped back to why he’d been waiting here.
He moved closer.
“What’s the deal with that kid?” Nathan demanded. “The paparazzi are saying she called you ‘mommy.‘ Since when do you have a child?”
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His eyes automatically dropped to het stomach.
“None of your business, Amelia replied, not giving him a straight answer.
Nathan’s temper flared.
“Amelia.” Her name came out like ire. “We’re not divorced yet. You’re telling you’ve got a kid and it’s none of my business?”
Amelia turned her head away, refusing to meet his glare.
“Where’d the kid come from?” Nathan pushed harder. “All these years we’ve been together, all those times we… and we never had kids. Now suddenly…”
“Stop.” Amelia cut him off.
Nathan was about to keep going when he saw the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
“You know damn well why we never had kids before,” she said quietly.
Nathan went completely still.
His jaw clenched tight.
It all came flooding back. Years ago, they’d had a baby.
They’d both been so young then. He’d been completely addicted to her body, convincing her to spend every night wrapped up in each other.
He hadn’t known the signs of pregnancy, and since her periods were always irregular because of her health issues, she hadn’t thought about it either.
During those negotiations in France, their opponents had separated them and dared her into some insane test of courage. Without hesitating for even a second, she’d jumped into freezing water. Her whole body went under, and just like that, the baby was gone.
When he’d pulled her out of that icy lake, there was blood everywhere beneath her. Even though they’d gotten help fast, it was too late.
She’d lain there in his arms, staring at the people who’d done this to them.
“You promised,” she’d whispered.
They’d nodded.
He still remembered that night in late fall–losing the baby, watching her blame herself, holding her while she cried her heart out as his own world fell apart.
After that, her body was seriously messed up. For years afterward, no matter how many passionate nights they shared, getting pregnant again seemed impossible.
All this time, he’d been hoping they could have a child together. He’d poured everything into their intimate moments–driven by his desire for her, by trying to make up for what they’d lost, by his own desperate need.
But Nathan had no idea.
After they got married, they actually did conceive again.
And then, once more, it was gone.
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