Chapter 37

Nathaniel's gaze swept past Eleanor without a second glance, as if her presence held no significance. He remained rooted in place, his attention fixed on... Isabella.

After a brief glance, Eleanor averted her eyes and addressed Isabella directly. "What do you want?"

Isabella's voice trembled with desperation. "Please, Eleanor, come home with me. Stop fighting with Mom and Dad, okay?"

"Sorry, but I'm not going back," Eleanor replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Undeterred, Isabella turned to Caroline. "You're Eleanor's friend, right? Can you please convince her to come home?"

Caroline chuckled lightly before responding, "She's an adult. She doesn't need you worrying about her decisions, alright?"

Isabella's eyes welled up with tears. "But Mom and Dad are heartbroken! Eleanor, can you really stand by and watch them lose sleep and appetite over you? How can you be so heartless?"

Tears streamed down her face, and Caroline couldn't help but be impressed. "You've got quite the acting talent. Ever thought about joining the entertainment industry?"

Her sarcastic remark left Isabella momentarily speechless.

Before Isabella could respond, Eleanor grabbed Caroline's arm. "Let's go."

"Eleanor!" Isabella cried out, reaching out to stop her. But Eleanor had already anticipated the move, sidestepping her grasp. To everyone's surprise, Isabella stumbled and fell to the ground.

This time, Nathaniel finally intervened. He hurried over and helped Isabella to her feet.

"I'm fine, Nate. Don't be mad at Eleanor," Isabella said softly, her voice trembling.

"Nate... As in Nathaniel?" Caroline's eyes darted between them, quickly piecing things together. "You're Eleanor's ex-husband?"

"Let's just go," Eleanor urged, pulling at Caroline's hand. But Caroline stood her ground, her gaze fixed on Nathaniel, who was still holding Isabella's hand.

"What's going on here? Some kind of twisted drama? An affair between the in-laws, huh?" Caroline's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"That's ridiculous!" Isabella shot back, her face flushing. "Nate and I... there's nothing going on!"

"A man and a woman, out on the street at this hour. Nothing going on, you say? The ink on your divorce papers is barely dry!" Caroline retorted, her tone sharp.

She turned to Eleanor, her voice filled with resentment. "I don't blame you for fantasizing about his death anymore. Who would want a man like this?"

Eleanor tried to stop her, but Nathaniel's cold voice cut through the tension. "Ms. Wright."

His tone was so icy that it sent a shiver down Eleanor's spine. When she looked up, she met his emotionless gaze.

"I'd appreciate it if your friend could watch her words," he stated flatly. "Also, Isabella is only concerned about you. This isn't about your upbringing, but you should at least have some decency."

"Decency, huh?" Caroline was ready to lunge at Nathaniel, but he ignored her, turning away with Isabella in tow.

Eleanor stood frozen, her fists clenched tightly. She couldn't help but marvel at Nathaniel's ability to wound her so deeply, even after everything they'd been through.

She had thought she had built an impenetrable wall around her heart, but with just a few words, he had shattered it. His words struck at the very core of her being, leaving her raw and vulnerable.