Rejected: A love story-Chapter 75: A new leaf

Narrator POV — Morning After

Morning came quietly, unlike the night before. The Mansion was unusually still, All servants being careful not to make much noise as they cleaned and cook.

Natasha, surprisingly, was the first to wake up. She slipped into Leo’s room before the sun had fully risen, her hair tied back, and her robe cinched tightly as though she needed something to anchor herself.

Leo blinked up at her, rubbing his eyes.

"Mom?" he called softly, confused. Natasha rarely woke before his nanny did.

"Yes, sweetheart. It’s me." She forced a warm smile and brushed his hair back. "Come on, up. You need to bathe and get ready for school."

Leo sat up slowly. "But where’s Mila?"

"She’s resting today," Natasha said quickly. "I want to get you ready myself."

That made him pause suddenly—then he smiled wider than she expected.

"Really? You wanna do it?"

Natasha felt a pang of anxiety"Yes. I do."

She ran the bath, helping him in carefully, scrubbing his arms and hair with a tenderness she hadn’t shown in like forever. Leo splashed her once, then gasped and covered his mouth, as if afraid she’d be angry.

Natasha only laughed—awkward, but real.

"Hey, no splashing," she said, wiping her face.

"Sorry," he giggled.

"You’re lucky you’re cute."

They chatted about much more, and Leo’s laughter boomed down the hall. Natasha couldn’t remember the last time she’d heard him laugh like that so early in the morning.

Once Natasha dressed him in his tiny uniform, she knelt to button his shirt properly, smoothing the collar like a mother who had done this every day, rather than almost never.

"You look handsome," she said.

"Handsome like Dad?"

Natasha stared for a second, surprised by the pang in her chest.

"...Yes. Like your dad."

She took his hand and led him downstairs.

Anne had been the first adult awake, strolling toward the dining room, expecting to see the maid setting the table. What she didn’t expect was the sound of Natasha’s voice—soft, amused—drifting out before she even entered.

When she stepped inside, she stopped in her tracks.

Natasha was at the head of the table, cutting Leo’s pancake into small pieces, guiding his hand as he scooped them with his fork. Leo talked with his mouth full, crumbs scattered on his lips, gazing at Natasha like she was the only person in the world.

Anne blinked, unsure if she was dreaming.

"Natasha?" she said slowly.

Natasha looked up. "Good morning."

Anne’s eyes flicked to Leo. "Where’s Mila?"

Natasha straightened slightly, her tone surprisingly steady.

"I told her not to come. I wanted to prepare Leo myself today."

"You... wanted to?" Anne asked, genuinely startled.

"Yes," Natasha replied simply, brushing a crumb from Leo’s cheek. "I should be doing this. I want to."

Despite everything—every moment Natasha had chosen comfort over motherhood—Anne couldn’t deny the warmth she felt seeing the two of them like this. Leo’s little voice cut through her thoughts:

"Grandma! Look—I’m eating by myself!"

Anne smiled and walked over, kissing the top of his head. "Good job, my darling. Finish up, hm? You’ll be late for school."

"I’ll drop him off," Natasha said suddenly.

Anne turned to her sharply. "The driver can take him."

"No," Natasha insisted, eyes glinting with something protective... or fearful. "After what happened to Fiona, we can’t trust anyone. The culprit is still out there. And Leo..." She looked at her son, her voice softening. "Leo is Nathan’s heir. The Keith’s grandson. People could target him."

Anne took a slow breath, the reality of it all starting to sink in kinda heavy.

Natasha continued, "If someone could do that to Fiona—an adult—what about a child? What if Leo was taken? What if they used him for ransom?"

Leo’s fork stopped halfway to his mouth.

Anne stared at Natasha, and for once, saw no pretense—only fear. A real fear of a mother.

She exhaled. "You’re right." She touched Leo’s arm. "Listen to your mom and finish up so she can take you."

Leo nodded and resumed eating.

Natasha rose from her seat, gathering his backpack, fixing his hair one last time. When Leo hopped down from his chair, Natasha took his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.

They walked out together.

Anne remained standing in the dining room long after they left, her hands clasped tightly in front of her chest.

Natasha—who hated waking early, who hated routine, who had kept Leo at arm’s length since he came—had bathed him, dressed him, fed him, and was now dropping him off herself.

Anne’s brows slowly drew together.

Has she truly changed?

The morning sun was soft and warm by the time Natasha pulled out of the gates, Leo buckled beside her in the bright red Ferrari Portofino, the wind tugging playfully at his hair. The car purred beneath them—flashy, expensive, impossible to ignore.

Leo leaned forward to feel the breeze on his face.

"Mom, this car is so cool!" he laughed.

Natasha glanced at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You think so?"

"Yes! It feels like flying!"

She reached over and ruffled his hair. "Then hold on tight, pilot."

Instead of driving straight toward the school, she slowed when she spotted a small roadside stand—a quaint wooden kiosk decorated with strings of tiny flags, selling popcorn, sweets, and drinks. Bright buckets of caramel and buttered popcorn sat in neat lines, the air carrying the warm sugary smell.

"Want a treat before school?" Natasha asked.

Leo’s eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really."

They stopped. Natasha got out first, then helped Leo down. The vendor, an older woman with a kind smile, greeted them warmly.

"What can I get this handsome young man?"

Natasha looked at Leo. "Go on. Pick anything."

He pointed eagerly. "Can I have that popcorn? The caramel one? And the strawberry sweets... and maybe juice?"

Natasha laughed. "You’re going to be super energetic and won’t be able to sit still."

"Only a little."

She bought everything—caramel popcorn sealed in a shiny packet, a small bag of strawberry sweets, and a boxed apple juice. She placed them carefully in his lunch bag.

Leo hugged it protectively.

"Thank you, Mom."

Natasha paused at the word Mom—he rarely said it so freely.

"You’re welcome, sweetheart."

As they walked back to the Ferrari, Leo swung her hand back and forth.

"Mom?"

"Hm?"

"Are you gonna pick me up today too?"

Natasha glanced down at him, her expression softening. "Do you want me to?"

He nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! You’re nicer today."

She blinked "Nicer... today?"

"I mean—you’re always pretty," he corrected quickly, "but today you look happy. Like you like being with me."

That hit harder than she expected.

Natasha crouched down so they were eye level.

"I do like being with you," she said quietly. "More than you know."

Leo smiled shyly and wrapped his arms around her neck. She hugged him back tightly before helping him into the car again.

When they arrived at the school gates, children streamed past, shouting greetings and waving their backpacks. Natasha parked and got out with Leo, straightening his collar and brushing invisible lint from his shoulders.

"Remember," she said softly, "if anyone unfamiliar approaches you, you run inside. You hear me?"

"Yes, Mom."

"And you don’t leave with anyone but me or Daddy or Grandma."

"I know."

She kissed his forehead—gently yet full of a tenderness that startled even her.

"Have a good day."

Leo gave her a little wave before joining his classmates, turning back twice to check if she was still watching. She didn’t leave until he disappeared inside the school doors.

Natasha returned to the Ferrari, slid into the driver’s seat, and gripped the wheel. Instead of turning back toward the Kent estate, she steered onto another road entirely—one leading deeper into the city.

She wasn’t going home, not yet.

Someone had taken Fiona and Natasha had a name echoing in her mind.

Laila.

She needed to know if Fiona’s kidnapping was related to her. If it was....Laila had just toiled with fire because Nathan wasn’t going to let her go freely if he ever found it.

Either way, she wasn’t going to sit around twiddling her thumbs, waiting for answers to magically come. She was going to find out today .