Rejected: A love story-Chapter 83: Harder than it seems 2

Fiona stood stiff for a second, surrounded by bags and boxes, still trying to understand how the morning had turned chaotic so fast. Nathan calling the maid broke the silence.

"Amanda," he said, his voice firm, "take all of Fiona’s things to her room."

"Yes, sir," she replied, and two other maids immediately stepped forward to begin gathering the shopping bags.

Fiona opened her mouth. "Nathan—"

But he was already stepping closer, placing a hand on her lower back in a gentle but firm gesture. "Excuse us, Mom," he said politely.

Anne smirked in that playful, all-knowing motherly way. "Of course, of course. Go on."

Fiona gave her an awkward smile before Nathan guided her toward the stairs.

They walked side by side, but he didn’t say a word. His shoulders were relaxed, but Fiona could feel the shift in his energy — something between excitement and a strange kind of domestic comfort. She wasn’t used to seeing him like this. Nathan always had a busy schedules, meetings and calls. An entire company depending on him, normally, by now, he’d be halfway out the door.

But he was still at home.At the final step, Fiona watched him turn toward her with a small, simple smile.

"You’re not going to work today?" she asked quietly.

"No," he said without hesitation. "I’m not leaving you today."

That response hit her harder than she expected. It made her stomach twist. It made want to jump around like a child. It made everything Ella had warned her about echo again and again. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

’You’re going to breakup with him’ her inner thought screamed.

Nathan stepped even closer, brushing a thumb across her cheekbone before leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead — slow, warm and intentional. Then he pulled back.

"I’ll be in my office if you need me," he said, voice calm, almost soft. "I have a few things to review, but I’m home."

Fiona nodded, unsure how to react without breaking into a thousand pieces. "Okay... thank you."

Nathan kissed her once more on the cheek, lingering just a second longer than usual, then left.

As soon as he was gone, Fiona entered her room immediately. Her legs gave out and she let herself fall backward onto the bed. She lay there for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling like it might give her answers. It didn’t.

Then she groaned and grabbed her phone. Ella picked up on the second ring.

"Hey— WAIT." She narrowed her eyes at the screen and leaned in. "Why are you naked under a robe?"

"Ella..." Fiona dragged the phone closer and flipped the camera, showing the mountain of designer bags now filling her room. "Look at this. Look!"

Ella’s eyes widened until they almost took up her whole face. "Holy— Fiona! What the hell?! Did you rob a mall?!"

"Apparently this is normal," Fiona muttered, rubbing her forehead. "Nathan says he doesn’t need a birthday to get me things."

Ella sat up straighter. "Open something! Show me!"

Fiona reached for the nearest bag, tearing it open and pulling out a neatly folded dress — soft, expensive-looking, clearly custom. Then came the jewelry box, then more clothes. Then bags, shoes, perfumes, silk pieces, etc.

Ella slapped her hand over her mouth. "Girl, you’re dating a billionaire, not a boyfriend. This man is a walking credit card."

Fiona laughed weakly but stopped just as fast, her face sinking into her pillow. "It’s too much. Way too much. And now his mom says she wants to gift me something too."

Ella blinked slowly. "Oh, wow. So... so basically the whole family is adopting you."

"That’s what it feels like," Fiona said into the pillow, voice muffled. "Everyone loves me already. It’s gonna be so hard."

Ella softened immediately. "Fiona..."

Fiona rolled to her back, staring at the ceiling again. "I’m serious, El. They’re all so sweet, s comfortable around me. Even Leo— did I tell you? Nathan gave him a locket, with the picture we took at the fair on it. Do you get it??It has our picture. Our picture."

Ella exhaled. "Oh God...Fio"

"And now I’m supposed to leave?" Fiona whispered. "After all this? After he just decided he’s not even going to work today?"

Ella didn’t speak for a few seconds, but Fiona could see her expression shift — sadness mixed with helplessness.

"You knew this week would be hard," Ella finally said. "But... I didn’t think it would be this hard for you."

"Me neither." Fiona whispered.

Ella leaned closer to the camera. "Listen to me. You’re doing this for a reason. You’re not breaking up for fun."

"I know," Fiona repeated, her voice thinner this time.

Ella sighed. "Then stop feeling guilty for something you can’t control."

Fiona didn’t answer. She felt like her chest was both full and empty at the same time.

Ella tried a different tactic. "Okay. Look at this another way — you still have time. You can still enjoy the week. You can still make memories. You can still be happy."

"That’s the problem," Fiona whispered. "It’s too easy to be happy with him."

Ella’s expression softened again. "I know."

Fiona pressed a hand to her eyes. "And now his mom wants to buy me something. Why? Why do they all act like I’m staying forever?"

"Because they love you," Ella said simply.

Fiona didn’t respond.

Ella sighed. "Fiona... I know this sounds weird, but maybe accept the gifts. Not because of the money, but because they’re giving you something from the heart. You don’t have to throw them away after. But right now? Don’t break their heart twice."

Fiona groaned into the pillow again. "This sucks."

"I know."

"It really sucks."

"I’m gonna die."

"He’ll no way you’re dying on me?."

Fiona cracked a tiny smile. "Thanks."

Ella brightened. "Good. Now show me more bags. I want to see them! My gosh, I’ve never seen so many designers stuffall at once."

Fiona gave a dramatic sigh and reached for another one. "Fine. But if I start crying again, you’re paying for my therapy."

Ella snapped her fingers. "Deal. Now open the big one — it looks expensive."

Fiona rolled her eyes but obeyed, pulling out a sleek black box with a designer logo.

Ella gasped. "FIONA. OH MY GOD."

Fiona stared at the item inside and dropped back onto the bed again. "Why is this my life..."

Ella laughed. "Because you’re dating a billionaire workaholic stupid!! In between I wish I was you right now! Goshhh, these are beautiful. "

Fiona groaned, burying her face in a pillow. "Don’t remind me..."

Ella smirked. "Oh, I’m absolutely reminding you."

Fiona kicked her feet like a frustrated child. "El, I can’t do this."

"Well....stay?"

"You know I can’t, El." Fiona groaned.

"Why not? Just bring me over" she teased.

"Be quiet, you’re loud." Fiona covered her face

"Yeah," she said quietly. "Okay."

Fiona lay there, surrounded by gift bags, wrapped in a robe, with her phone resting on her chest while Ella talked excitedly about what to open next.

And all Fiona could think was:

How am I supposed to leave him after this?