Nathan didn't stay.
Not at first.
After agreeing to the tests, he left the hospital without another word, hands shoved into the pockets of his worn jacket, shoulders tight as if holding himself together by sheer force.
Isabella watched him go through the glass doors, rain blurring his silhouette until he disappeared completely.
Her chest felt hollow.
"He didn't even say goodbye," she murmured.
Nolan stood beside her, jaw clenched. "He doesn't owe me politeness."
She didn't answer.
She was thinking about what Nathan did owe them.
And how terrifying it was that they were waiting on the mercy of a man who hated the world they belonged to.
The tests took two days.
Two long, unbearable days.
Juan was quieter than usual, his small body exhausted, his laughter softer, his eyes less bright. Isabella barely left his side. Nolan barely slept.
Nathan came and went silently, allowing blood draws, scans, and consultations without complaint—but without warmth.
He didn't speak to Nolan unless necessary.
He didn't look at him unless forced.
And when he did, it was with something dangerously close to contempt.
Isabella noticed.
She didn't blame him.
The results came in on a gray afternoon.
The doctor asked them all to sit.
Isabella's heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear anything else.
Nolan stood behind her, hands gripping the back of her chair, steadying both of them.
Nathan leaned against the wall, arms folded, expression unreadable.
The doctor inhaled slowly.
"We've confirmed a genetic match," she said.
Isabella gasped.
Nolan closed his eyes.
Nathan went very still.
"Your brother is a compatible donor," the doctor continued. "Not perfect—but close enough for the procedure to be viable."
Isabella's hands flew to her mouth.
"He can live?" she whispered.
"Yes," the doctor said gently. "This gives us a strong chance."
Tears spilled down Isabella's cheeks.
Nolan sank into the chair beside her, shoulders shaking with silent relief.
Nathan said nothing.
The doctor stood. "We'll give you some time."
When the door closed, the room felt too small.
Isabella turned to Nathan, tears still falling. "Thank you."
He didn't look at her.
Nolan stood. "Thank you," he repeated, voice thick.
Nathan finally lifted his gaze.
"I didn't say I'd do it," he said flatly.
Silence crashed down.
Isabella's heart dropped violently.
"What?" she whispered.
Nolan stiffened. "You agreed to the tests."
Nathan's jaw tightened. "I agreed to know."
Isabella stood abruptly. "You can't—"
"I can," Nathan interrupted. "And I will."
Her chest burned. "He's a child."
Nathan's gaze softened for a brief moment.
"I know," he said. "That's why this is so hard."
Nolan stepped forward. "Tell me what you want."
Nathan laughed bitterly. "Still trying to buy solutions."
Nolan swallowed. "Then tell me what you need."
Nathan studied him for a long moment.
Then he said quietly, "The truth."
Isabella's heart clenched.
"The whole truth," Nathan continued. "Not the sanitized Sinclair version."
Nolan didn't flinch. "Ask."
Nathan's eyes burned. "Why didn't you fight for me?"
The question landed like a blow.
Nolan opened his mouth—
Then closed it.
"I was afraid," he admitted.
Nathan's laugh was sharp and broken. "Of what?"
"Of losing everything," Nolan whispered.
Nathan shook his head. "You already did."
Nolan's voice cracked. "I know."
Isabella watched them, heart aching.
Nathan looked at her. "Do you know what your husband let happen?"
She swallowed. "He wasn't my husband when it happened."
"That's worse," Nathan replied.
Nolan didn't argue.
"I lost my wife," Nathan said quietly. "I lost my life. I lost my name. And you stayed silent."
Nolan nodded. "Yes."
Isabella's hands trembled.
Nathan inhaled deeply. "If I do this," he said slowly, "it's not for you."
Nolan nodded. "I know."
"And not for Sinclair money."
"I know."
Nathan's gaze flicked to Isabella. "It's for her."
She froze.
"And the boy," Nathan continued. "Because they didn't choose your world."
Tears welled in Isabella's eyes again. "I swear I would do anything."
Nathan nodded once. "Then you'll understand this."
He turned back to Nolan.
"You resign," Nathan said.
Nolan stiffened.
"Not temporarily," Nathan clarified. "Completely."
Isabella's eyes widened.
"You step away from Sinclair Enterprises," Nathan continued. "No board. No deals. No shadow control."
Nolan stared at him.
"And you expose what our father did," Nathan added. "Publicly."
The room felt like it was closing in.
"You tell the world what he was," Nathan said. "And what you allowed."
Nolan's throat worked. "That will destroy the company."
Nathan nodded. "Good."
Isabella's heart pounded painfully.
"You want him to lose everything," she whispered.
Nathan met her gaze. "I want him to be human."
Silence stretched.
Nolan looked at Isabella.
She saw the conflict in his eyes.
His empire.
His identity.
Everything he had ever been taught to protect.
Then she thought of Juan.
Pale. Weak. Small in a hospital bed.
Her heart shattered.
She nodded slowly.
Nolan looked back at Nathan.
"I'll do it," he said.
Isabella sucked in a breath.
Nathan stared at him.
"You don't even know what that means," Nathan said.
"I know exactly what it means," Nolan replied. "It means my son lives."
Nathan closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, they were wet.
"I'll do the procedure," he said quietly.
Isabella covered her mouth as she sobbed.
Nolan stepped forward—but Nathan raised a hand.
"Don't," he warned.
Nolan stopped.
"This doesn't make us brothers again," Nathan said.
Nolan nodded. "I know."
"This doesn't forgive you."
"I know."
"This doesn't fix what you let happen."
"I know," Nolan whispered.
Nathan inhaled slowly. "But it saves him."
He turned and walked out.
Isabella collapsed into Nolan's arms.
He held her tightly, chest heaving.
"I gave up everything," he whispered.
She shook her head, tears streaming. "You chose everything that matters."
That night, Isabella sat beside Juan's bed, stroking his hair.
"You're going to be okay," she whispered.
Juan blinked sleepily. "Uncle said he's going to help."
"Yes," she said softly. "He is."
"Is Daddy sad?" Juan asked quietly.
Her chest tightened.
"Yes," she admitted. "But he's brave."
Juan smiled faintly. "I like brave."
Isabella kissed his forehead.
And for the first time since the diagnosis, hope dared to breathe.
But she knew
This choice would cost Nolan more than he could imagine.
And the past wasn't done collecting its debts.