Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 265

Chapter 265 Like Honey

Natalie’s POV:

ས༢,9

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“When you wouldn’t wake up in that hospital bed, I was so scared,” I said. “I really, really want a future with you. If you just left me without a word, I… I don’t know what I would have done.”

It was hard for me to be so direct about my feelings. Even when I gave my whole heart to Landon, I never lowered my guard and showed my vulnerable side.

But with Leonardo, my defenses just crumbled.

“I know. I understand,” Leonardo said, his voice low and pained. He promised me over and over, stroking my hair as he spoke, “I promise I’ll take better care of myself from now on. For us.”

After a moment, I finally looked up at him, my voice barely a whisper. “You’d better not break that promise.”

“I won’t,” he murmured. The words were simple, but as he spoke them, he captured my lips with his own.

His kiss was skilled and deep now. The gentle exploration of his tongue sent shivers through me, each one chipping away at my resolve. It was so easy to lose myself in him.

But I remembered the doctor’s orders. Before things could go further, I gently pressed my palm against his chin to stop him.

“We shouldn’t…” My voice trembled, and I knew my face was flushed. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop myself. Let’s wait until you’re fully healed.”

Leonardo’s kisses, his very gaze, were too intense. Every extra moment beside him felt like a test of my willpower.

I took a quick shower, towel-dried my hair halfway, and hurried back to Leonardo’s side.

He was propped up against the headboard, staring intently at his phone.

I thought he was dealing with pack business again. “It’s late. No more work,” I scolded gently, reaching for his phone. “You need to wind down, not get your mind racing, You know, werewolves get worked up enough by the moon at night, and you’re still recovering.”

But the screen that met my eyes wasn’t work messages. It was a tabloid headline, “Victoria Spotted with Mystery Beau at Charity Event-Are They Back On?”

Below it were pictures I hadn’t seen before-candid shots, probably taken during one of Leonardo and Victoria’s public outings. His face wasn’t fully visible, but it was unmistakably him. Even in a photograph, that dominant Alpha aura of his was hard to miss.

‘I handed the phone back to him quickly. His expression had turned grim. He must have just seen the

news.

I’d already come across these stories around the time of his accident, so I felt pretty calm about it.

1/9

19:46 Mon, Jan 19 G

Chapter 265 Like Honey

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Victoria’s live-stream popularity was soaring. After returning, she’d simply posted “Work done” on her social media, which was enough to fan the flames of the old rumors back to life.

Gossip sites, capitalizing on fans’ curiosity about her love life, kept churning out articles. But Victoria remained strangely silent, offering no explanation even as photos and speculation about her and Leonardo spread everywhere.

“Tabloids love to make up stories. I don’t mind them, so you shouldn’t either,” I said, breaking the silence as I watched him, lost in thought.

My words seemed to pull him back. He let out a chuckle and tugged me to sit beside him. “Aren’t you mixing up the script here?” he asked, his voice deep with a hint of self-mockery. “I’m the one who caused this mess. Why are you comforting me?”

“So, Mr. Sanchez, you want me to be jealous, is that it?” I blinked, teasing him as if I’d read his mind.

Leonardo didn’t deny it. His deep eyes studied the faint, polite smile on my lips. “Part of me does want to see you jealous. It would mean you actually care,” he admitted quietly. “But another part is afraid of it. I don’t want you to misunderstand me.”

My smile faded. I reached up to cradle his face, my voice softening. “I was jealous. What woman wouldn’t feel something, seeing the man she loves constantly surrounded by another woman? I saw those articles back when you were injured. I got my jealous phase over with then.”

Since he was being so honest, I decided to be open with my feelings, too. Yes, there was jealousy, but beneath it was a deep, solid trust in Leonardo-the kind built on a soul-deep bond. After I learned about his accident, all that mattered was his health. Everything else faded into the background.

Besides, I knew Leonardo had strong boundaries. This rumor mill had to be bothering him, too. The last thing I wanted was to add my worries on top of his.

“I’m sorry,” Leonardo said, his brow starting to furrow again. But before he could continue, I pressed a finger gently to his lips.

“Aaron already told me everything. You were just working. Victoria showing up wasn’t something you could control. No one can be perfect all the time, not even you, Leonardo. Stop apologizing to me,” I said, tilting my chin up playfully. A spark of feigned pride shone in my eyes.

“Do you really think I’m not understanding enough?” My voice was sweet and smooth.

19:47 Mon, Jan 19 G T