Rejected: A love story-Chapter 82: Harder than it seems

## Narrator POV — The Next Morning

Fiona woke up slowly, her eyes blinking against the early morning light slipping through the curtains. For a second she didn’t recognize the room—her head felt heavy, her body warm under the blanket. Then she felt the soreness, the faint ache along her thighs, and it all came back.

She pulled the blanket up out of instinct, suddenly aware she was still naked. She glanced at the other side of the bed, expecting to see him sleeping beside her the way he usually did but the spot was empty and already cold.

’He must have been awake for a while.’

Fiona sighed quietly, reached for the robe on the chair, and tied it around herself. It was still early—too early for everyone to be awake—yet she could hear quiet movement downstairs.

She hesitated, then slowly made her way down the stairs then she reached the bottom, she stopped in her tracks.

There were bags everywhere, designer bags. Chanel, Dior, Jacquemus, YSL and LV.

All lined neatly on the sofas and the long center table, at least twenty of them.

She stood there confused, wondering if she was still half-asleep. Nathan stood near the table, still in his robe, his hair slightly messy like he’d run his hands through it a few times. Two house staff were helping him arrange the bags properly, but when he looked up and saw her, he smiled.

"Good morning, cupcake," he said simply.

Fiona blinked. "Nathan... what is all this?"

"Come here," he said.

She walked toward him slowly, still confused. Nathan dismissed the staff with a small nod and they left quietly, leaving the two of them alone with the army of designer bags.

Fiona looked from the bags to him.

"Nathan, what is this? Why are there... so many?"

He lifted one of the bags casually. "These? They’re for you."

Her eyes widened. "For me? Why? It’s not my birthday."

"I know," he said calmly. "I didn’t want to wait."

"But... twenty bags?" Fiona’s voice cracked in disbelief. "Nathan, that’s too much."

He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. "I didn’t buy too much. I bought what I wanted you to have. There’s a difference."

She stared at him, lost. "Nathan, I can’t accept all of this."

"You can," he replied. "And you will."

Her chest tightened. It wasn’t anger—just shock. "Why would you buy me this much?"

Nathan stepped closer, his voice low. "Because you deserve the world. This is nothing."

Fiona felt her heart stutter, but she shook her head gently. "Still... this is—Nathan, this is too expensive."

"Fiona." He lifted a hand and cupped her cheek lightly. "It’s not like we can return anything. I won’t take them back."

She didn’t know what to say. Her hands trembled as she opened the first bag. Inside were delicate gold bracelets and matching earrings. Another bag had soft silk underwear, another had a dress in her favorite color. A bag after that had heels, perfumes, more dresses, stylish tops, luxury lipsticks, even a small velvet box containing a dainty diamond necklace.

She looked up at him again, speechless, before she could respond, small footsteps came from the stairs.

"Daddy!"

Leo ran down joyfully and Nathan turned just in time to catch him as he jumped into his arms.

"Good morning, buddy," Nathan said, lifting him easily.

Leo wrapped his arms around his father’s neck, then looked at all the bags around them.

"What’s all this stuff, Daddy?"

Nathan smiled. "They’re for Fiona."

Leo gasped dramatically in a way only a child could. "For Fiona? All of it?"

"All of it," Nathan confirmed.

Leo turned to Fiona. "You’re really lucky."

Fiona managed a small smile. "I... guess I am?"

Nathan chuckled and placed Leo down gently. "Don’t worry. I have something for you too."

Leo’s eyes widened. "Really? For me?"

Nathan reached into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a small box. He knelt and placed it in Leo’s hands.

Leo opened it slowly.

Inside was a silver locket shaped like a small shield. When he opened it, his eyes lit up.

"It’s the picture we took at the fair!" he squealed. "Look, Fiona! Look!"

He ran to her excitedly and showed it to her. Inside was the photo of Nathan carrying Leo on his shoulders, with Fiona standing next to them smiling.

Fiona felt her stomach twist gently, she forced a smile. "Yes... it is."

Leo beamed and hugged Nathan’s leg. "Thank you, Daddy!"

Before Nathan could respond—

"What fair?" a voice asked.

Nathan and Fiona turned to see Anne standing near the stairs, wearing her night gown. She looked curious but calm.

Leo quickly closed the locket and hid it behind his back. Nathan lowered him to the ground.

"I have to brush my teeth!" Leo said quickly and ran off, practically sprinting upstairs.

Anne laughed lightly. "That boy... always running."

Then she looked around, noticing the bags.

"What are we celebrating?" she asked.

Nathan answered plainly, "They’re gifts for my girlfriend."

Anne’s eyebrows lifted, amused. "Oh? What a lucky girlfriend."

She smiled warmly at Fiona. "I’m jealous."

Fiona chuckled shyly. "It’s... not what it looks like."

"Oh please," Anne waved dismissively. "Let me be jealous in peace."

She stepped closer to the table, looking at the bags. "Nathan, you went all out."

"I did," Nathan replied without shame.

Anne turned to Fiona. "Well, since my son has spoiled you this much... I should too."

Fiona shook her head instantly. "No, no, please. You don’t have to. These are already too much."

But Anne shook her head with the same stubbornness Nathan had. "I want to. I like you, Fiona, and I’ve never properly given you anything."

"Mom, really, it’s fine," Fiona insisted.

"No," Anne said firmly. "I’m giving you something. Don’t argue with me."

Fiona’s heart twisted painfully because she loved this family, she loved Leo, Nathan, Anne and Gabriel treated her well.

Even Natasha, strangely, had been pleasant these past few days, but she was going to leave soon.

She had to, she couldn’t stay.

Not after the threat, not if it meant putting anyone at risk.

She looked at the gifts on the table—thousands and thousands of dollars worth of items—and felt like her chest was splitting open.

Anne was still smiling warmly at her and Nathan was still standing close, watching her with soft eyes.

Everything looked perfect and that made it hurt even more.

"I..." Fiona swallowed. Her voice came out softer than she intended. "Thank you. Really. But I don’t want you to go out of your way for me."

"Nonsense," Anne said lightly. "It’s already decided."

Fiona just lowered her gaze, unable to fight anymore. She didn’t deserve any of this, she didn’t deserve their warmth. Their kindness and their love.

She was going to break Nathan’s heart soon. And standing there, surrounded by expensive gifts she never asked for, with Anne happily planning to buy her more...