Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 312

Chapter 312 How Rude

Leonardo’s POV:

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I hadn’t seen Natalie for most of the day, and the wait was torture. Even with the family here, I couldn’t stand it another minute. With about fifteen minutes until dinner, I led Natalie into our bedroom.

Once the door was shut, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. The kiss was urgent and deep. I held her and kissed her for a long time-giving in to a craving that had been eating at me. Finally, I buried my face against her neck, breathing heavily. “I missed you so much, Natalie. So much.”

“But I’m right here,” Natalie said, lying back on the bed, her fingertips brushing the corner of my eye.

Natalie’s POV:

The window light reflected in his eyes-so deep they pulled me in.

“Even when you’re right here, I still miss you.” His voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of melancholy. “And just thinking about not seeing you for days again, I already miss you now.”

For some reason, no matter how sweet and passionate our relationship was, I could always sense a profound sadness in Leonardo. It made me feel uneasy, too.

“It’s okay. We have a long road ahead.” I stroked his face. “I’m always here.”

He nodded, his nose gently brushing against mine, his emotions slowly calming.

At dinner, the whole family sat around the table, talking and laughing. Everyone praised the meal I’d cooked. I was grinning from ear to ear. If I spent every day with them, it would probably go to my head in no time.

Just as the atmosphere was at its warmest, the doorbell rang. Before I could get up, a servant went to answer it. Everyone looked at Leonardo and me. I shook my head to show I/didn’t know who it was. Miranda’s eyes flickered, and she started to rise, but the servant had already opened the door.

Miranda’s POV:

“Mr. Ryan Sanchez, you’re here…” The servant’s voice carried over.

I had wondered if it might be Ryan. He returned to the country today and had given me a heads-up. His flight was in the evening, and I worried he’d arrive at an empty house, so I texted him saying we were all having dinner at Natalie’s tonight.

Ever since Leonardo got hurt, Ryan had only made a few calls to ask about the situation. He hadn’t come back to see Leonardo in person a single time.

This didn’t just hurt Leonardo. I thought it was heartless, too. The whole family had been holding a grudge

over it.

“What are you doing here?” Fiona’s smile vanished the moment she saw it was Ryan.

“A family dinner, and no one called me?” Ryan spoke coldly.

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Chapter 312 How Rude

He handed his coat to the servant and walked steadily toward the dining table.

Natalie’s POV:

I started to stand up, but Leonardo put a hand on my arm to stop me.

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He didn’t look up. One hand held a dinner knife, the other held me in place, as if completely unaware of Ryan’s gaze sweeping over him.

“Leonardo…” I whispered.

“Eat,” he said quietly, then picked up the orange juice pitcher and poured some into my glass.

“How rude,” Ryan said. His gaze, cold and sharp, shifted from Leonardo to my face. I averted my gaze uncomfortably, unsure what to do.

Miranda hurried over and swatted Ryan’s arm. “What’s your problem, showing up and giving the kids a hard look? I told you, Natalie is hosting us tonight! You should have gone home to rest!”

“I came to see my own son and his mate. Are you kicking me out?” Ryan’s tone grew even colder. The concentration of his Alpha pheromones in the air thickened, creating a palpable pressure.

I glanced at Leonardo, then I still spoke up, “Ryan, of course not. Please, have a seat.” I kept my voice as steady as possible.

I understood Leonardo’s resentment toward Ryan, but we still had to show respect to an elder.

I was just using my words, but Leonardo clearly didn’t want me to be too accommodating. I understood. I had to cushion some of Ryan’s anger.

Gently, I turned the hand he was holding under the table and laced my fingers with his.

My thumb rubbed his palm. His hand felt cold. But as my warmth slowly transferred to him, I felt the slightest relaxation in his tense muscles.

Leonardo glanced at me from the corner of his eye. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

“How ironic! My son has a mate, and now I’m the outsider,” Ryan said, still not sitting down. His eyes locked on Leonardo again.

Ryan’s POV:

Leonardo remained silent. He didn’t even look at me.

I had just finished a grueling workload and flown back into the country this afternoon.

Leonardo was my son. Did they really think I could be totally unaffected by his injury?

Especially Leonardo. I’d always known he resented me, ‘ever since he was a boy. But what I couldn’t stand was this weak, defeated attitude he had.

A real man had grit. So what if he was in pain? Who hadn’t faced hardship or failure?

If he had not been dying, he would have gritted his teeth and toughed it out! If it were me, I wouldn’t let the

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Chapter 312 How Rude

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whole family coddle and pamper me, acting like the whole world owed me something!

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