Rejected: A love story-Chapter 92: Come see me now

Natasha sat on the floor of Leo’s room, with Leo standing in front of her while she tried to style his hair. He was acting dramatic as usual—tilting his head left and right, making faces in the mirror, giggling every two seconds.

"Hold still," Natasha muttered, fighting a smile while trying to smooth down the front.

"But it’s itching me!" Leo protested, wriggling.

"Your hair can’t itch you in two seconds."

"It can."

She sighed. "Leo, please."

He laughed again, lifting the comb from her hand. "Mommy, let me do it myself."

"You’ll mess it up," she warned.

"I won’t!"

She rolled her eyes. "You always say that."

He grinned proudly. Natasha watched him for a second—his tiny fingers trying to comb even though the comb kept slipping. He really was adorable, and he was happy. Genuinely happy. Nathan had been happier too. Even Fiona’s presence had softened the whole house.

And Natasha...she was trying. Really trying, then her phone rang.

A sharp, cold ringtone that made her chest freeze. Her smile vanished immediately.

Leo noticed. "Who’s calling?"

Natasha swallowed hard and snatched the phone from the floor before he could see the name.

Her stomach dropped. She hadn’t called Natasha in weeks. She hadn’t texted, nothing. Natasha had hoped she had finally backed off. After all, she had confronted her, argued with her, told her to stop.

So why was she calling now?

"Mommy?" Leo asked softly.

"I—just a moment, baby." Natasha stood abruptly. "I need to answer this."

"You’re leaving?" he asked, confused.

"I’m coming back," she lied. "Stay here, okay?"

She hurried out of the room, her heart pounding as she rushed upstairs. She entered her bedroom and locked the door behind her before finally answering.

"Why are you calling me?" Natasha whispered sharply, almost breathless.

Natasha didn’t even greet her, Leila’s voice was sharp, irritated and controlling on the other hand.

"Well, good morning to you too," she said lazily. "I see you’ve been ignoring me."

"You’re acting like what happened between us didn’t happen."

Natasha clenched her jaw. "I told you not to contact me unless—unless it was important."

"Oh, it’s important," Leila snapped. "You’ve been avoiding me. Not calling, not coming to see me. Acting like you suddenly have a life outside of what we’re doing."

Natasha’s throat tightened. "I’ve been busy."

"With what?" Leila hissed. "Playing perfect mother? Playing perfect ex? Or is it because Fiona came back? Has she replaced me already?"

Natasha shut her eyes. "Don’t start."

"Oh, I’ve already started." Leila’s tone shifted—darker and taunting. "Do you think you can walk away from me? After everything I’ve done for you? After everything we have planned together?."

Natasha pressed her back against the wall, her heart hammering.

"I’m being careful," she whispered. "If someone hears—"

"Oh, relax." The woman scoffed. "Do you think these rich people actually pay attention to where you disappear to? You’re invisible in that house unless they need something" Natasha swallowed hard immediately, she was short of words. Leila always knew where to hit her.

"You’re acting like what happened between us didn’t happen."

Natasha’s hands shook. "I’m not talking about this over the phone."

"You don’t have a choice," Leila said sharply. "You think you can just stop showing up? You must have forgotten who helped you. Who protected you. Who fixed your messes, who got rid of Fiona when she started getting too comfortable."

Natasha winced. "I told you what you did was wrong."

"You thanked me at first," Leila shot back. "You said it was the right move. You said she needed to learn her place, don’t pretend like you weren’t part of it!"

Natasha’s breath hitched. "I didn’t ask you to kidnap her."

"Well, you were too scared to ask," Leila said simply.

Natasha pressed her back against the door. Her voice was trembling now. "Leila...you can’t keep calling me about this. Nathan is suspicious enough. If he ever finds out—"

"He won’t," Leila cut in. "Unless you force me to make him."

Natasha froze. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"It means you’ll come see me," Leila answered coldly. "Today."

"I can’t," Natasha said quickly. "I’m with Leo."

"And?"

"I—I can’t just leave him."

"You will," Leila said calmly. "You always do. Stop the pretends Natasha! You’re not even his mother!"

Natasha swallowed. "Leila, stop this. You can’t keep blackmailing me and acting like—like you own me."

"But I do," Leila whispered. "At least the parts of you Nathan never appreciated, he has never touched you or look at you sexually"

Natasha stiffened. "Don’t talk like that."

"Then stop ignoring me."

There was a long, tense silence.

Then Leila added, "If you hang up on me... I’ll call you again. And again and again. And maybe the next time someone else will hear it. Someone who shouldn’t."

Natasha’s blood ran cold.

"Come see me," Leila said. "Now."

The call disconnected. Natasha lowered the phone, her hands shaking uncontrollably.

She stood there for a moment—frozen, choking on panic. She didn’t want this. She didn’t want Leila in her life anymore. But fear was a chain, and Leila had always known exactly how to pull it.

When she finally forced herself to breathe, she hurried downstairs.

Leo was waiting in the hallway, looking up at her with those big bright eyes.

"Mommy? Why did you take so long?"

Natasha forced a smile—weak, desperate. "I...I have to go somewhere. Just for a little bit."

Leo’s face fell. "Now?"

"Yes, sweetheart." She brushed his hair gently. "It’s urgent."

"Can I come with you?" he asked hopefully.

"No." She crouched to his level and kissed his forehead. "You stay here. Be good."

He hesitated. "Are you coming back?"

"Of course." She forced another smile. "I’ll always come back to you."

She called one of the maids and she quickly answered. "Please watch him for me."

"Yes, ma’am."

Natasha walked to the door, grabbed her bag, and stepped out. Her hands were trembling again, she didn’t want to go.

But she had no choice.