Rejected: A love story-Chapter 52: Assurance

Leo stood beside his mother, his head down and shoulders shaking. He didn’t look at anyone—not even Nathan. His fingers were twisted tightly into the fabric of Natasha’s sleeve like it was the only thing holding him up.

Natasha broke the silence first....as expected.

"Look at him," she said sharply, gesturing at her son. "Does this look like a child who wasn’t harmed?"

I took a step forward instinctively, but Nathan’s hand brushed my arm—stopping me quietly.

"I didn’t touch him," I said, my voice steady despite the way my heart waa racing. "He came to me because he was upset. That’s all."

"Upset?" Natasha laughed bitterly. "You expect us to believe that? You had him locked in your room, alone—"

"He knocked," I cut in. "And I told him to come in. You met the door half opened Natasha why don’t you be an example to your kid and stop lying.:

"That’s enough." Nathan finally spoke. His voice wasn’t loud, but it made the room silent again.

Natasha turned to him. "You’re really going to defend her after this?"

Nathan looked at Leo, ignoring Natasha, his gaze wasn’t cold. Just... thoughtful.

"Why were you crying?" he asked quietly squatting beside Leo.

Leo hesitated looking at the floor. Natasha answered immediately. "Because she confused him. Filled his head with things he shouldn’t be hearing."

Nathan’s gaze lifted slowly to her. "I asked him Natasha, let him speak."

Leo’s grip tightened on her sleeve. "I—I was scared," he whispered finally, his voice barely audible.

"Of what?" Gabriel asked gently from behind Nathan.

Leo hesitated, eyes darting nervously to his mother. Natasha’s grip tightened around his shoulder. "He’s tired," she said quickly. "He’s had a long day."

Gabriel stepped forward then, his expression unreadable. "That may be," he said calmly, "but accusing someone of harming a child is not something we do lightly."

Natasha scoffed. "So now I’m being unreasonable?"

"I’m saying," Gabriel continued evenly, "that there is more happening here than you’re admitting."

The atmosphere in the room was suffocating, I really hated fights within familes.

Nathan turned fully to his father. "Fiona didn’t hurt him."

"And how can you be so sure?" Natasha snapped.

Nathan didn’t even look at her."Because I trust her," he said simply.

Well that did it I guess..lol.

Natasha’s face twisted in fury. "Of course you do. You always choose outsiders over your own blood."

Nathan’s eyes finally met hers. "Don’t," he warned quietly.

She ignored him. "This child has been through enough. And now she’s filling his head with lies—"

"Hello, she isn’t," I said, my voice trembling despite my effort to keep it calm. "All I did was listen."

Gabriel exhaled slowly. "That will be enough for tonight."

He turned to Natasha. "Take Leo downstairs. He needs rest."

Natasha stared at him. "You’re dismissing me?"

"I’m protecting the child Natasha, thiz atmosphere isn’t good for him," Gabriel replied. "There’s a difference."

For a moment, it looked like she might argue—but then she grabbed Leo’s hand and stormed out, pulling him with her. The door slammed hard.

The room slowly emptied until it was just the two of us. The tension didn’t disappear—it just shifted into something soft and warmer.

Nathan turned to me, his expression a bit dark and conflicted.

"You didn’t do anything wrong," he said. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

I nodded, but my chest ached—for Leo, for the things he hadn’t said out loud.

Nathan exhaled, running a hand through his hair before turning to me again. "Dinner’s almost ready," he said quietly.

I nodded, still tight, my arms crossed over my chest like I was holding myself together. He stepped closer.

Then, without warning, he lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles.

"You know," he murmured, lips lingering just a second too long, "you look incredibly beautiful when you’re angry."

The words slipped past my defenses far too easily. My frown melted before I could stop it, heat rushing to my cheeks.

I turned my face away, suddenly aware of how close he was.

"Don’t look at me like that," I muttered.

He chuckled softly. "Like what?"

Before I could answer, his fingers caught my chin, gentle but firm, guiding my face back to his. My pulse jumped the moment our eyes met.

"Like you care too much," he said quietly. "That’s what I love."

My heart stumbled, Oh god I love this man!

He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine—not deep, not demanding. Just enough to remind me he was there. Then he pulled back, barely an inch, his forehead resting against mine.

I could feel his breath slowly.

His hand lifted, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. His thumb traced my cheek, down to my jaw, unhurried, like he was memorizing me.

"Fiona," he murmured.

My name sounded different on his lips. I always love the way he calls my name.

He leaned in again, this time kissing the corner of my mouth before trailing lower, pressing a warm kiss just beneath my ear. I shivered.

"Nathan..." I breathed, barely a sound.

His lips brushed my neck, not rushing, or taking it—just there. His other hand settled at my waist, keeping me steady

I closed my eyes, my head tilting without thinking.

That was when my phone rang.

I startled slightly, the moment snapping like a fragile thread. Before I could pull away, he pressed a brief kiss to my neck—almost a promise—before stepping back just enough for me to have my space."

"Answer it," he said softly.

I did, my voice shaky as I spoke, barely registering who it was before hanging up again. Of course it can only be Fiona

I ended it telling her I’ll call back. The Silence returned.

I swallowed, my nerves suddenly fluttering in my chest.

"Nathan?" I said hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"Can I... can I sleep with you tonight?"

His brows lifted slightly, surprise flickering across his face. I panicked immediately realising what I said.

"I mean—" I rushed out, heat flooding my face. "Not like that. I mean just... sleep. One bed. Together. I just—"

He smiled then. Not teasingly but gently.

"You don’t have to explain," he said quietly. "I understand."

He stepped closer again, resting his forehead against mine. "You’re safe with me," he murmured. "Always."