Rejected: A love story-Chapter 20: I’m falling for Nathan

The entire family gathered round the table, Nathan sat at the head, composed as ever, quietly eating. Hannah plopped down beside him with a grin, nudging his arm.

"You really never change," she teased, her eyes flicking at his plate.

"You still eat like a bird. You look the same and haven’t gained a single pound?"

Caleb leaned back in his chair, smirking at the interaction. "Someone’s finally speaking up,"

She cuts a piece of chicken and raised her fork close to his mouth.

"Open up" Nathan smiles at her and takes a bite just to please her.

Nathan chewed slowly, his eyes occasionally flicking toward the doorway as if expecting Fiona to walk in at any moment. He expected her to be at downstairs a while ago.

"Still can’t relax without your girlfriend showing up?" Hannah teased him.

Nathan’s lips curved into a faint smile,

Natasha’s raised her head up, glancing between Nathan and the doorway. "So... she really is your girlfriend," she said softly, almost to herself.

Hannah kept feeding him and Nathan gladly ate it, the bond between the two were undeniable. When he realised she wouldn’t stop he decided to speak up.

"That’s enough, thank you my amazing caring sister" He said sweetly and she smiled warmly feeling proud.

"Did you hear that everyone? Nathan said I’m amazing". Everyone only smiled and continued eating.

Nathan began eating but paused suddenly, his fork halfway to his mouth, and asked calmly without looking up:

"Why didn’t father come?"

His mother sighed softly. "We wanted to see for themselves if you were lying about having a girlfriend. Now that it’s confirmed... he’ll land tomorrow."

He nodded slowly, turning his attention back to his plate, chewing deliberately.

Silence took, the only sound that could be heard was the soft clinking of cutlery.

"And Natasha... when will you leave?" Nathan asked calmly.

The question came as a surprise, his mother’s eyes flicked apologetically toward Natasha. Natasha’s lips pressed into a thin line, then she faked a soft, disappointed face. "I... I can leave tomorrow, if you don’t feel comfortable."

Nathan didn’t look up, he just kept eating. His composure was infuriating.

His mother cleared her throat, trying to smooth the tension. "Nathan... she’s part of the family too. You two should... fix whatever issues you have."

Natasha still facing a sad face chirped in "I just don’t want to make things uncomfortable. I’ll leave tomorrow if that’s best."

"Don’t be ridiculous," their mother said firmly. "You’re not going anywhere."

Nathan only chewed slowly, he didn’t even pay any sort of attention to her. Natasha looked at him, noticing he wasn’t paying attention to her she felt pained.

Hannah leaned over Caleb, whispering, "This is painfully awkward."

Caleb grinned under his breath. "I love it".

Their mother, sensing the growing awkwardness, tried to steer the conversation. "Nathan, why don’t you tell Natasha about your that award you received? It might ease things a little."

Nathan cast a look at his mother and it was enough to pass the message. His mom said no more. His eyes flicked once more toward the door, He sighed lowly.

Hannah leaned closer to Caleb, whispering, "He’s totally waiting for her. Can’t hide it."

Caleb grinned. "And Natasha hates it".

Natasha’s jaw tightened as she watched him, sensing his attention wasn’t on her, which only fueled her irritation.

Nathan suddenly stood up wiping his mouth.

"Excuse me everyone, I have to go check on my girlfriend".

As is suddenly realising, his mother looked around.

"That’s true, she’s not down yet...I should come also"

"No need mother, I’ll do it myself" He said and left.

Natasha just rolled her eyes thinking no one saw her but Caleb and Hannah were watching.

Fiona’s POV

I sat there for a minute after he left, staring at the door like maybe he’d come back and say he didn’t mean it, but he never did.

I dressed slowly, every movement felt heavy. I didn’t know if I was ashamed or hurt or both.

He said he shouldn’t have gone that far...but I wanted it.

Stupid me. I actually wanted him.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my arms, remembering how warm his hands were just minutes ago. I shouldn’t think about it but my body remembered everything clearly — how close he was, how I felt like I mattered, even if it was just for a second.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers tracing the blanket pattern. Somehow it reminded me of home... of the nights mom would sit beside me and braid my hair loosely because I never liked tight ones.

Her laugh flashed in my head.

Her small surprise on my birthday — that Indian dish she’d learnt from YouTube because I said it smelled nice when we visited Indian.

She burnt the first try and we ate it anyway, laughing like idiots, I inhaled shakily.

I wished she was here. She’d know what to say. She always knew.....but she’s gone.

I wiped my eyes quickly before they got too wet. I couldn’t look weak, especially not in front of strangers.

I didn’t know how long I sat there staring at the floor, my stomach kept twisting but not from hunger.

I just... couldn’t go down there pretending everything was fine.

A soft knock on the door and it opened slowly.

Nathan stepped in, closing it behind him.

"You didn’t come down," he said quietly.

I forced a small smile. "I’m not hungry. I’m sorry... if that seemed rude to your family. I didn’t mean—"

"Were you crying?" he cut in.

My heart jumped. I quickly looked away, wiping my face even though there were no fresh tears.

"No," I whispered, lying terribly.

He took a step closer. He didn’t look away from me, it seemed he was trying to read every thought I was hiding.

"Fiona... if it’s because of what happened earlier or what I said....."

"It’s not," I interrupted quickly, choking a little on the words. "Please don’t... apologize. It’s not your fault. I just..."

I inhaled shakily. "I just miss my mom."

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward as i imagined.

Nathan’s expression changed — like something inside his chest loosened and fell at the same time.

Without saying anything, he moved closer and wrapped his arms around me and

I didn’t fight it.

My forehead rested against his chest.

His hand gently stayed on the back of my head, fingers brushing through my hair in slow calming strokes.

"I’m sorry you’re hurting," he said softly.

His voice sounded different — like he meant every word.

For a moment I forgot we were pretending, I let myself believe he cared.

I closed my eyes and let the warmth hold me together.

My mom would’ve told me to be brave, to breathe and let people in.

So I did, just a little.

"Nathan..." I breathed, but I didn’t even know what I wanted to say. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

He didn’t let me finish, he just held me closer like he wasn’t ready to let go either.