Rejected: A love story-Chapter 21: Where’s the Engagement ring

"Tell me about her," he murmured against my hair.

I swallowed. My fingers had somehow curled into his shirt, holding on. It felt strange talking about my mom after so long — like opening a box I kept taped shut.

"She loved trying new recipes," I whispered, staring somewhere near his collar. "Even the ones she knew she was terrible at."

He chuckled softly, still holding me. "Sounds brave."

"She was," I smiled a little. "One year on my birthday, she made this Indian dish. It was so spicy we both cried while eating it."

A small shaky laughter escaped my mouth.

"She kept apologizing and still forced me to finish it because she said we must never waste food."

Nathan smiled — I felt it more than saw it.

His chin lightly brushed the top of my head.

"She sounds like she was fun."

"She was everything," I whispered, blinking fast as a tear escaped. "Home never felt the same after she died. The house became... cold. I was hoping to rebuild my bound with my father.... i guess i never expected him to get married again"

Nathan didn’t speak, he just rubbed my back slowly with his thumb, like he understood silence better than words.

"You don’t have to hide that kind of pain from me," he said softly.

I looked up at him — his face was so close.

Too close. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"I’m not used to anyone caring," I admitted quietly.

His met mine gently.

"I care."

The room suddenly felt warm and dangerous in a different way.

I didn’t know if he meant it or if it was part of the act.

But right now, wrapped in his arms, I wanted to believe it.

He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers barely grazing my cheek.

He never once let go.

"You’re strong, Fiona," he whispered. "Even when you don’t feel like it."

I nodded, breathing him in.

His voice, his warmth — it felt safe.

His arms were still around me, warm and steady.

I could hear his heartbeat — calm, controlled, like him.

Maybe that was why the question slipped out before I could stop myself.

"Nathan..." my voice was barely above a whisper.

He hummed in response, thumb still tracing slow circles on my back.

"Why did you stop earlier?"

I swallowed.

"In the room... when you said we shouldn’t go that far."

His hand paused only for a second, he just breathed in slowly, like he was choosing his words carefully.

"I wanted you," he admitted quietly.

"No point pretending I didn’t."

My heart thudded so loud I was sure he felt it against his chest.

"Then... why?"

I lifted my head enough to see his face.

His eyes met mine — soft but conflicted.

"Because you deserve more than a moment that happened out of emotions and desire," he said lowly.

"You deserve someone who chooses you with a clear mind... not because things got intense."

My throat tightened immediately, he was right, but it still stung in a way I couldn’t explain.

"So you regret it?"

I hated how small my voice sounded.

He shook his head immediately.

"No."

His gaze held mine, steady like he needed me to believe it.

"I regret stopping. But I’d regret crossing that line even more if it hurt you later."

"You matter, Fiona. More than you think and i wouldn’t want to cross the line between pretense and reality."

I looked away for a second.

"I never thought of it that way." I admitted.

"But... Nathan, I don’t care if we’re pretending or not. I meant what I said earlier, if I’m loosing my virginity to anyone... it should be you".

He loosened the hug just a little — enough to not look at me properly, but not enough to break the moment.

"We should head downstairs," he murmured.

"My mother wanted to come see you... we should go now."

We finally went downstairs, everyone was still eating. Natasha’s eyes flicked to me immediately — slow judging scan like I was a bug on her wall.

"Feeling better?" she asked with fake sweetness.

"Much," I smiled, taking the seat beside Nathan.

I just started eating when Natasha’s voice interrupted.

"Fiona... where’s your engagement ring?"

The table fell silent at once.

"I mean, I heard Nathan was engaged and it’s to you right"?

Nathan’s eyes went wide for a split second. He actually forgot to give me a ring.

Natasha smirked like she won.

I swallowed, wiped the corner of my mouth gently and looked up — calm, sweet, but not backing down.

"Oh the ring? I told Nathan I want to finish college first before wearing it."

I turned slowly and looked Natasha straight in the eye.

"That doesn’t stop us from getting married once I’m done."

Her smile dropped, but mine didn’t.

I looked at the rest of the family, still holding Natasha’s gaze with the corner of my eye.

"Nathan is mine,"

then I laid my hand gently on Nathan’s.

"And I am his."