Nathan raises his arm instinctively and I don’t even think about it—I just curl into him, resting my cheek against his chest. His heartbeat is steady beneath me and strong. This… this is my secret haven. His arms. The place where the chaos fades, the doubts hush, and I can just breathe.
His fingertips trace idle circles on my shoulder. Every touch sends tiny flutters through me, and I selfishly wish the world would go quiet so I could stay like this forever.
Then he clears his throat, his voice cutting through the silence and catching Dad’s attention.
“Mr. Barlow,” he begins, his tone respectful, but not stiff. “I’d like your permission to take Isabel away tomorrow.”
Dad blinks, clearly not expecting the request. “Take her where?” His brows rise as his gaze flicks between the two of us. “May I know what you two are up to?”
“We have a few appointments with a real estate agent,” Nathan replies, tightening his hold on me slightly. “I’d like us to move in together. It'll help us focus on the wedding details without running between two houses.” He takes a deep breath, “My mission’s been anticipated and we’ll start training shortly. I may have to leave sooner than we thought, which is why I want to make the most of the time I have left with Izzy.”
Dad softens, though his gaze still reads between every line. “I see. In that case… of course.” His eyes linger on me with a hint of worry. “Just don’t vanish off the map.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I say with a weak smile.
The rest of the drive is quiet. I stay nestled against Nate, replaying his words in my head like a scratched record.
Anticipated.
Leave sooner.
Time left.
It’s not fair.
When we finally arrive at the manor, Dad says his goodnights and heads upstairs, leaving us in the velvet silence of the grand hallway. I walk ahead, trying to find my breath again, but my heart’s racing in all the wrong ways.
In the living room, I turn to face him, arms crossed over my chest like a shield.
“Why the change of plans?”
Nate steps closer, his gaze soft but unreadable. “Orders from above, baby,” he murmurs. “I found out this morning.”
I nod slowly, already feeling the ache beginning in my chest. “Where will you go?”
He exhales and reaches for me, his palm cradling my cheek. “We don’t know yet. Just… that I’ll be gone.”
His touch is gentle, but my emotions aren’t. They twist and knot and burn beneath my skin.
“I’ll miss you,” I whisper, my voice cracking as tears threaten to spill. I bury my face in his chest again, needing his warmth like oxygen. “I knew this would happen. I knew. I just didn’t think it would be so soon. I’m not ready to let you go…”
He wraps his arms around me tightly, his chin resting on the top of my head as he strokes my back with that steady rhythm that always calms my storms.
“I’ll miss you too, Isabel. More than you can ever imagine.”
I don’t answer. I just hold him. Because maybe this isn't love—not yet. But it’s something dangerously close.
And if we’re not careful…
It’ll be everything.
Chapter 12
Nate
I hate schedule changes.
I hate walking away from her.
