Rejected: A love story-Chapter 121: Do I love him?

Natasha froze, her forced smile faltering for just a second. Do I love him? What kind of question was that? Of course she loved him—or at least, she thought she did.

"Leo," she said, her voice soft but strained, "why would you ask me that? You’re my baby. My sweet boy. Of course I love you."

Leo’s brows furrowed, his little hands gripping his shirt tightly. "But you don’t hug me like other moms. Or play with me. Or..." His voice trailed off, and his eyes darted to the floor.

Natasha’s jaw tightened. Other moms? He was comparing her to other women now? She sighed, brushing his hair back. "Sweetheart, Mommy’s just tired, okay? I’ve been working hard to make sure we’re taken care of."

Leo didn’t look convinced. "But Daddy doesn’t hug me either. He doesn’t even talk to me. Am I bad? Is that why Fiona left?"

Natasha’s hand paused mid-stroke, her eyes narrowing. Fiona? Even when she wasn’t here, she was still haunting her.

"Leo, stop saying things like that," she snapped, her tone sharper than she intended. "You’re not bad, okay? Fiona left because she wanted to. It had nothing to do with you."

Leo flinched at her tone, his lip trembling. "But... but Daddy loved her. He smiled more when she was here. He doesn’t smile anymore."

Natasha felt her blood boil.

Smiled more? Of course Nathan smiled more when Fiona was around like she was his perfect little trophy wife, the one he flaunted at right even in her face, the one he couldn’t stop talking about. And then she left him, just like Natasha had predicted she would.

She forced herself to take a deep breath, her fingers curling into her palm. "Leo, listen to me," she said, her voice steady but cold.

"Daddy’s busy, and Mommy is busy too. You’re a good boy, and you don’t need to worry about what other people do or don’t do. Do you understand?"

Leo nodded slowly, but the sadness in his eyes didn’t fade.

"I’ll tell you what," Natasha said, her tone suddenly brighter, masking her irritation.

"When you go to Daddy’s house, ask him if he’ll take you out somewhere fun. Maybe to the park or the movies. He’ll say yes if you ask nicely."

Leo’s face lit up a little. "Really? You think he’ll say yes?"

"Of course, sweetheart. Daddy loves you."

Leo smiled faintly, but Natasha’s words felt hollow even to her own ears.

Nathan didn’t love Leo—not really. If he did, he wouldn’t be so absent, so cold. He wouldn’t have shoved all their assets into Leo’s name just to keep her from touching them.

As Leo ran off to pack the rest of his things, Natasha leaned back against the couch, her eyes flickering to the TV screen. The movie she’d been watching was still playing, but she couldn’t focus.

Her thoughts drifted back to Nathan.

Fiona had left him over a month ago, but he still acted like she was the center of his world. Every decision he made—every cold move—was a reaction to her absence. And Natasha hated it.

What did Fiona have that I didn’t? she thought bitterly. Nathan had given Fiona everything—his love, his attention, his loyalty. But Natasha? To him she was just the woman who got pregnant and had his son, the woman he tolerated because of Leo.

She clenched her jaw, her fingers gripping the armrest of the couch.

Nathan didn’t deserve Leo, he didn’t even deserve to be a father. And Fiona? Fiona didn’t deserve Nathan’s devotion.

None of them deserve anything, Natasha thought, her nails digging into the fabric. I should have been the one he smiled for. I should have been the one he loved.

But she wasn’t. And now, she was stuck in this game, pretending to be the perfect mother while Nathan pretended to be the perfect father.

"Mom!" Leo called from the hallway, his voice cheerful again. "I’m ready! Do you think Daddy will let me sleep in his room tonight?"

Natasha plastered on a smile, standing up to meet him. "I’m sure he will, sweetheart. Just make sure you ask him nicely, okay?"

Leo nodded eagerly, his little backpack bouncing on his shoulders. "I will! I promise!"

She knelt down, fixing his straps and smoothing his hair. "Good. You’re such a good boy, Leo. Daddy will see that."

Leo beamed, his excitement shining through.

Natasha’s smile widened, but inside, her mind was racing. If Leo could get Nathan to soften up—if he could pull Nathan out of his shell—then maybe, just maybe, Natasha could use that to her advantage.

The Kents Group

Nathan sat at his desk, his fingers tapping against the polished wood as Alex, his executive assistant, rattled off updates about the company’s latest acquisitions.

"Profits are up in the third quarter," Alex said. "But the legal team flagged some issues with the LA project"

Nathan’s phone buzzed on the desk, interrupting him. He glanced at the screen and frowned seeing the name on his screen.

He ignored it and gestured for Alex to continue.

"As I was saying, the LA project is—"

The phone buzzed again, the name flashing insistently across the screen. Nathan exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "One second."

He picked up the phone, his voice cold as he answered. "What is it, Natasha?"

"Nice to hear your voice too, Nathan," Natasha said, her tone dripping with fake sweetness.

Nathan leaned back in his chair, already regretting picking up. "I don’t have time for games. What do you want?"

"I just wanted to let you know the driver is already taking Leo to your mansion," she said casually. "He’s excited to spend time with you."

Nathan’s brow furrowed. "You should have called first. I have meetings all day."

"Oh, I’m sorry," Natasha said, her voice sharp now. "I didn’t realize spending time with your son needed to be scheduled like a board meeting."

Nathan rubbed his temple, his patience thinning. "Is there a point to this, Natasha, or are you just calling to lecture me?"

Natasha’s tone shifted, becoming more serious. "Leo said some things to me today, Nathan. Things that... well, you need to hear."

Nathan’s grip on the phone tightened. "What things?"

"He said you never come home when he’s with you," Natasha said. "That the maid watches him the whole time. He even asked me if you love him."

Nathan paused for a sec, the words hitting him harder than he expected.

"He’s a child, Nathan," Natasha continued. "He notices these things, he feels them. And it’s affecting him. He thinks you don’t care about him."

Nathan exhaled sharply, leaning forward in his chair. "That’s not true. You know that’s not true."

"Do I?" Natasha shot back. "Because from where I’m standing, all you’ve done is dump him in a mansion with staff and call it parenting."

Nathan’s sighed clearing not enjoying the conversation.

"Leo has everything he needs, he’s safe. He’s cared for."

"Is that what you think he needs?" Natasha asked, her voice rising. "A big house and strangers to look after him? He doesn’t want money, Nathan. He wants you."

Nathan leaned back, his eyes narrowing. "You don’t get to lecture me about being a parent, Natasha. Not when you’ve made your own mistakes."

Natasha laughed bitterly. "Oh, please, don’t deflect. This isn’t about me, it’s about Leo. He’s your son, Nathan. He needs his father, not a bank account."

Nathan stayed silent, his mind racing.

"Look," Natasha said, her tone softening slightly. "I’m not saying this to fight with you. I’m saying it because Leo deserves better. He deserves a father who’s present. And if you don’t step up, he’s going to grow up thinking he’s not good enough. Is that what you want?"

The line went quiet for a moment, the weight of her words settling between them.

"I’ll talk to him," Nathan said finally, his voice low.

"You better," Natasha replied. "Because he’s already on his way. Don’t let him down again, Nathan."

The line went dead before he could respond.

Nathan placed the phone on the desk, his expression unreadable.

"Sir?" Alex asked cautiously, sensing the tension in the room.

"Cancel my afternoon meetings," Nathan said curtly, standing up.

Alex blinked, surprised. "All of them, sir?"

"Yes. I’ll be at the mansion," Nathan said, grabbing his suit.

As he walked to the door, Alex called after him. "Should I reschedule for tomorrow?"

Nathan paused, his hand on the doorknob. "I’ll let you know."

He left without another word, his mind clouded with thoughts of Leo—and the faintest hint of guilt he wasn’t ready to admit.

#######

Nathan sat in his car outside the office, the engine idling as he stared at his phone. Natasha’s words were still replaying in his head. He thinks you don’t care about him.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He didn’t know what to do. Parenting was never something he’d been prepared for, and Leo deserved better than someone fumbling through the motions.

Without thinking, he scrolled through his contacts and tapped Fiona’s name.

The phone rang twice before she picked up.

"Nathan?" Fiona’s voice was light, surprised. "This is unexpected. What’s going on?"

Nathan hesitated, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I... I forgot Leo was spending the weekend at my place."

Fiona paused for a moment before responding. "You forgot?"

"I’ve been swamped with work, I’m sorry I know we had plans," Nathan explained quickly, though even he could hear how hollow the excuse sounded. "Natasha just called to remind me. He’s already on his way to the mansion." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Fiona’s voice softened, though there was a hint of disappointment in her tone.

"Well, how’s he? Is he ok?."

"He’s fine I guess."

"Nathan, are you ok? You know you can tell me anything right?"

Nathan exhaled sharply, leaning back in his seat. "I know. I know, okay? But it’s not that simple. I don’t... I don’t think I can do this."

"Do what?" Fiona asked gently.

"Be a good father," Nathan admitted, his voice low. "I don’t know how to connect with him, I don’t know what he needs. Every time I try, it feels like I’m failing."

Fiona sighed, her tone thoughtful. "Nathan, parenting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up. Being there for him, even when you don’t know what to say or do.

Nathan frowned, staring out the window. "I don’t know if that’s enough. He deserves better than me fumbling through this."

"Stop it," Fiona said firmly. "You’re not giving yourself enough credit. Leo loves you, Nathan, he looks up to you. Do you know how much he talks about you when he was with me?"

Nathan blinked, surprised. "He does?"

"All the time," Fiona said with a small laugh. "He tells me how smart you are, how hard you work. He thinks you’re a superhero, Nathan. But superheroes have to show up, too."

Nathan’s chest tightened, guilt washing over him.

"I don’t know how to fix this, Fiona," Nathan admitted. "I’ve spent so much time focused on work, on building the company, that I don’t even know how to be a dad. I don’t know how to be what he needs and worst I don’t know if I’m a boyfriend."

Fiona’s voice softened again. "You’re the best boyfriend a girl could ever ask for and that’s why I’ll always love you. As for Leo, spend time with him this weekend. Talk to him, listen to him. Let him see that you care. That’s all he wants, Nathan."

Nathan nodded slowly, though she couldn’t see him. "I’ll try."

"You’ll do more than try," Fiona said, her tone light but firm. "You’re his father, Nathan. You’re capable of more than you think."

Nathan glanced at his watch, realizing he had less than an hour before Leo arrived.

"Thanks, cupcake," he said quietly. "I needed this."

"Anytime," Fiona replied.

"I promise, I’ll make this weekend up to you. I’ll cancel my meetings, call off some work, anything! No excuses this time."

Fiona laughed softly.

"Heyyy, it’s fine. Just have a nice weekend ok! And call me, I love hearing your voice."

"I promise I will. I love you cupcake."

"Love you too, my baby."

"What? Say that again." He said smiling.

"Say what?" She asked pretending not to know.

"Come on cupcake. Say it again."

"My baby?"

"Yeah that." He said smiling like a baby.