Rejected: A love story-Chapter 156: Mummy’s pretty

Look! Mummy’s pretty!" he exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the photo.

Viktoria quickly stood up. "Mateo!"

She rushed over, gently pulling him back to avoid the broken glass.

"I’m so sorry, Mr. Keith," she said quickly, her voice filled with embarrassment. "He didn’t mean to—"

Nathan stood up slowly, walking toward them. Mateo looked up at Nathan shyly, still smiling.

"Pretty!" he said again.

Nathan slowly picked up the broken frame, the picture was still intact but the frame was ruined.

Viktoria swallowed hard when she looked at the frame.

’Is it my mind playing tricks on me or this lady looks just like me?’ She thought.

Nathan’s eyes clouded with tears but he held himself back, he had to be a man.

He slowly broke the remaining glass with his hands, not wanting it to ruin the picture inside.

"Mr. Keith.." Viktoria called suddenly, the glass had cut him and he didn’t even mind. He was keen on protecting the picture.

"Mr. Keith, you’re hurting yourself." She managed to say.

"I’m fine." He said amidst gritted teeth. "This is what’s important, not me."

Viktoria lifted her son off the floor and took him to the couch nearby.

"Do not move Mateo, do you hear me?" She said and he nodded.

She walked back to Nathan and held his hand stopping him from continuing.

Nathan’s gaze turned to her, surprised.

"You’ll keep bleeding and hurting yourself like that." She started meeting his gaze.

"If you don’t care about yourself, at least think of the picture. You’ll ruin it with blood." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

His grip loosened slightly as he watched her slowly take the frame from him. Nathan was stiff for a full second, it felt like Fiona was standing in front of him again, with those eyes.

She walked up to his desk, taking the pen Mateo was playing with—she couldn’t risk cutting herself also. She wiggled the pen gently, levering the paper upward.

"Please be careful." Nathan said and she nodded.

How could someone look so familiar like her? Same face and all. Was she a twin? She thought.

Not long, the picture slipped out. She brought it out carefully, avoiding the edge.

Nathan walked up to her ready to take it. "Thank you."

"Hold on" she stopped him. "Your fingers are still bleeding." She said and kept the picture on his table.

"Do you have a first aid box?" She asked.

Nathan looked at her, unsure how to react. She was acting exactly like Fiona. Caring for him and taking control.

"Mr. Keith? A first aid box?" Her voice came again.

"I’ll call Alex."

He walked to the other side of his desk and pressed a few buttons on the telephone.

Alex answered almost immediately.

"Bring the first aid kit to my office and a cleaner." He said and hung up.

"Is that your family?" She asked glancing at the picture again.

"Was." Nathan replied.

"You’re divorced?" She asked.

Before he could speak, there was a knock at the door. Alex entered quickly, carrying a small first aid kit and looking around nervously. "Sir, I—"

"Over here," Viktoria interrupted, she gestured toward Nathan’s hand, and Alex hurried over, placing the kit on the desk.

"Thank you, Alex," Nathan said curtly, dismissing him with a wave.

Alex hesitated, glancing at Viktoria as though he wanted to say something but Nathan’s sharp gaze sent him retreating from the room without another word.

Viktoria opened the first aid kit,she pulled out a disinfectant wipe and a bandage. "Sit," she instructed, gesturing toward the chair behind his desk.

Nathan raised an eyebrow but complied, sinking into the chair as she knelt slightly in front of him. Viktoria took his hand gently, her fingers brushing against his as she inspected the cuts.

"This might sting," she said, glancing up at him briefly before dabbing the disinfectant wipe over the wounds.

"You’re very... composed," he said suddenly, his voice quiet.

Viktoria looked up, surprised by the comment. "I’ve had plenty of practice," she said.

"Having a child teaches you to stay calm in all kinds of situations."

Nathan’s lips pressed into a thin line as he studied her. "You remind me of someone," he said after a moment, his voice barely above a whisper.

Viktoria frowned but didn’t press him further. Instead, she focused on wrapping the bandage around his hand.

"There," she said finally, securing the bandage in place. "That should hold for now."

Nathan looked down at his hand, flexing his fingers slightly before nodding. "Thank you."

Viktoria stood, brushing her hands off as she stepped back. "You’re welcome."

Her gaze drifted toward the picture on the desk, and she hesitated. "Is that... her?" she asked softly.

Nathan’s eyes followed hers to the photograph. His chest tightened again, but he nodded. "Yes," he said simply.

"She looks..." Viktoria trailed off, unsure how to finish the sentence.

"Like you," Nathan finished for her, his voice heavy.

Viktoria’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She crossed her arms, suddenly feeling exposed under Nathan’s intense gaze.

"Mr. Keith, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I assure you, I’ve never met you before today," she said firmly.

Nathan nodded slowly, though his expression didn’t change. "I believe you," he said

Mateo was uncomfortably on the couch, his small legs swinging back and forth as he hugged his teddy bear tightly. His bright blue eyes darted between his mother and Nathan.

"Mummy," Mateo mumbled.

Viktoria turned to him, her expression softening instantly. "What is it, sweetheart?"

Mateo hesitated for a moment, glancing shyly at Nathan before whispering, "I’m hungry."

Viktoria frowned, guilt flickering across her face. She hadn’t realized how much time had passed since breakfast. "Oh, baby, I’m so sorry," she said, brushing his hair back gently. "We’ll eat soon, I promise."

Nathan, who had been silently observing the interaction, leaned forward slightly in his chair. "Mateo," he said, his deep voice surprisingly gentle, "what would you like to eat?"

Mateo’s eyes widened slightly, surprised that Nathan was speaking to him directly. He clutched his teddy bear tighter and glanced at his mother for reassurance.

"It’s alright," Viktoria said softly, nodding at him.

Mateo looked back at Nathan, his voice barely above a whisper. "Pancakes."

Nathan’s lips quirked upward in the faintest hint of a smile. "Pancakes, huh? I think we can arrange that."

Viktoria stood quickly, shaking her head. "Oh no, Mr. Keith, that’s not necessary. I’ll take him to get something to eat, and we can resume the meeting afterward."

Nathan held up a hand to stop her. "There’s no need. We can reschedule the meeting for another day," he said firmly. "Your son’s needs come first." He lied, he only wanted to see her again.

Viktoria blinked, surprised by his understanding. "Thank you, Mr. Keith," she said sincerely, her voice soft.

Nathan nodded, his gaze lingering on her and Mateo. "Take care of him."

Viktoria smiled, lifting Mateo into her arms. "I will."