Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 286

Chapter 286 That Was Enough

Natalie’s POV:

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“Your hand… What happened?” My heart skipped a beat. I grabbed his hand right away. Looking closer, I gasped. He’d dug his own fingernails into his skin, leaving several small, bleeding scratches. They weren’t deep, but they looked painful.

“It’s nothing,” he said, quickly pulling his hand back and hiding it behind him. His eyes avoided mine, like he was trying hard to hide something.

Seeing him like that, I suddenly felt awful. Was I pushing him too hard? Leonardo had already done so much. He made a public statement to reassure me, drawing a clear line between himself and Victoria.

Victoria was still an important part of his past. For someone as loyal and principled as him, if there were still a few traces of feeling left, that was only human, wasn’t it? I just had a hard time accepting it emotionally.

Seeing him go silent, I softened my tone. I didn’t want to put him on the spot. “It was just a dream. I’m not blaming you. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I’m already feeling better…”

“Natalie, you’ve misunderstood me,” he cut in, his voice low and firm. He took my hand again, his grip steady. With his other hand, he gently but firmly tilted my chin up, his fingers in my hair, forcing me to look directly into his deep eyes.

There was no evasion there, no guilt-just a clear sincerity and a depth of emotion meant only for me.

“I don’t know if I said anything in my sleep. But even if I did, it would only be because of a nightmare,” he said, each word clear and slow, like he was reciting a vital oath. “Natalie, my heart has only ever had room for one person. There’s no such thing as ‘not being able to let go. If there was even a shadow of someone else in my heart, I would never have chosen to bond. I would never have chosen marriage.”

My heart clenched. My anxious feelings melted away, and reason returned, clear and unimpeded. He was right. This was Leonardo-proud and loyal. How could he bond with me if his heart belonged to someone else?

“Has it been that way since you met me?” I couldn’t help but ask, wanting more confirmation.

“Even before I met you, I had no romantic feelings for her whatsoever.” He gave an even clearer answer. Then he paused, as if deciding something, and said words I never expected. “And… actually, what I had with Victoria began with gratitude and friendship. But from the first moment I saw you, I was drawn to you.”

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21:02 Wed, Jan 21

Chapter 286 That Was Enough

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Finished

He said he was drawn to me.

That was completely different from the calm “gratitude,” “friendship,” and “duty” he used to describe his feelings for Victoria. Yes, this was what love should feel like. It had an impulse and an irresistible pull.

“Alright, fine. You know just what to say,” I couldn’t help but smile. The last bit of gloom in my heart vanished, replaced by a light happiness.

He saw me smile, but still seemed unsatisfied, eager to prove his point. “If you don’t believe me, I’ll swear an oath.”

I quickly covered his mouth, both annoyed and amused. A usually cool, self-possessed top Alpha who didn’t believe in superstition was now so desperate that he wanted to swear a vow? It was adorably silly.

“I believe you,” I said helplessly. My palm could feel his warm breath, tickling my skin.

Seeing his serious expression finally ease, I leaned against his shoulder. With a hint of a pout, I softly laid down my “rule.” “From now on, you have to be careful. No dreaming about her. And no calling her name in your sleep. Or I’ll get jealous.”

“Okay,” he said, pulling me closer. His voice was low and gentle, full of indulgence. “It makes me happy that you’d be jealous. But I hate seeing you upset. So I will strictly correct this mistake.”

His promises were always so solemn. Yet his eyes and his touch were so tender that they could make me drown, never wanting to leave.

I was about to say something else, but he was already kissing me.

This kiss was different from the one outside the car. It was longer, deeper. It felt reassuring and precious, like something salvaged against the odds. His scent surrounded me completely— gentle yet dominant.

My thoughts grew fuzzy. All I could feel was his warmth, his heartbeat, and his love, given without reservation.

The lights from traffic signals shifted colors outside the window. The driver kept his eyes on the road.

Inside the car was a quiet, warm world that belonged only to us.

All the unease, doubt, and bitterness had been washed away by this kiss and the honesty that came before it. I knew his heart held only me now and in the future.

That was enough.

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21:02 Wed, Jan 21

Chapter 286 That Was Enough

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Finisher

Leonardo’s POV:

Kissing her and feeling her slow, soft response, my heart finally calmed down. It had been left hanging since Landon showed up, and since her question about Victoria.

She said she believed me. That was enough.

I thought back to the first time I saw her, at the Sanchez Group building, tirelessly fighting for her project. I was already drawn to her then. I didn’t know how to describe the feeling

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