I laugh, shaking my head, but the moment stays with me.
For the second time, within a span of mere days, he has me feeling like it’s okay to want more.
Nathaniel isn’t just rewriting my experiences—he’s rewriting the way I see myself. And for that, I can only be grateful.
The late afternoonsun casts a soft glow over my parents’ house as Nathaniel and I stand at the front door.
I ring the doorbell and the chime echoes inside. A knot twists in my stomach, a familiar unease I haven’t been able to shake since my mother’s call earlier. Dinner with my family is rarely a pleasant affair, but now it comes with the added pressure of Nathaniel witnessing whatever chaos is about to unfold.
I glance up at him, taking solace in his calm presence. He looks dashing and entirely unbothered, one hand resting lightly on my lower back, the other casually in his pocket. When he catches my gaze, he gives me a small, reassuring smile, and I feel the knot loosen ever so slightly.
The door swings open to reveal Sampson, his expression pure irritation, his fingers twitching at his side like I’ve just interrupted something vitally important.
“Oh, it’s you,” he mutters, glancing briefly at Nathaniel before turning his head and calling out, “Mom, they’re here!”
Without another word, he turns and is halfway back to the living room by the time we cross the threshold. From the couch, I can hear Michael’s voice rise in protest. “Hurry up! I’m not pausing again.”
Sampson shoots back a quick “Shut up, I’m coming!” before flopping down beside his brother, the sound of engines roaring from the television filling the space.
I cringe inwardly at their behavior, stealing a glance at Nathaniel. His jaw is set, his expression unreadable, but I catch the faintest flicker of disapproval in his eyes. Before I can say anything, he pulls me closer, pressing a soft kiss to the side of my head. His breath brushes my temple as he murmurs, “Relax.”
My mother appears a moment later, her heels clicking against the worn hardwood floors. My heart sinks at the sight of her.
She’s dressed as though she’s attending some formal gala, her makeup caked on, her perfume wafting heavily through the air. I can tell she went all out for Nathaniel’s sake, and the thought makes my skin crawl.
“Ah, Nathaniel!” she exclaims, her smile stretched a little too wide. “What a delight to see you! Thank you so much for taking the time to join us for dinner.”
Nathaniel gives a polite, measured smile. “Thank you for inviting us, Mrs. Bennett.”
“Oh, please, call me Claudia,” she insists, brushing at an imaginary speck of dust on her dress. Her gaze flicks between us, lingering on Nathaniel with something close to admiration. Then, her hand shoots out, grabbing my arm with surprisingforce. “Olivia, darling, can I borrow you for a quick word? Just us girls.”
Nathaniel’s grip on my shoulders tightens instinctively, his gaze narrowing as he studies her. I place a hand on his chest, touched by his protectiveness. “It’s fine,” I say softly, giving him what I hope is a reassuring smile. “I’ll be right back.”
After a moment, he reluctantly releases me. His hand lingers on my arm for a beat longer, his gaze locking with mine. “I’ll be right here,” he says.
As my mother tugs me toward the kitchen, I look over my shoulder to see Nathaniel straightening, his attention shifting to the twins. “Mind if I join?” I hear him ask, his tone as easy as if he’s asking for a cup of tea.
Michael snorts. “You know anything about F1?”
“My favorite driver is Max Verstappen,” Nathaniel replies smoothly. “I’ve been following him for years.”
Their voices fade as we disappear into the kitchen, leaving me bracing for whatever my mother has to say.
I find my father at the table, hunched over the day’s receipts with a mug of coffee in hand. He barely looks up when I enter, grunting in acknowledgment. The only sound is the quiet scratch of his pen against paper until my mother, practically vibrating with excitement, breaks the silence.
“I had to see for myself,” my mother begins, her voice teetering on the edge of a squeal. Her eyes gleam as she pulls out her phone, waving it in the air as if it holds the secrets of the universe. “The Caldwell family! Olivia, I nearly fell over when I looked them up. Billionaires! Can you believe it?Billionaires!”
My stomach turns as I force a tight smile, bracing myself for whatever she says next.
“Oh, I could tell right away that the boy was rich,” she continues, her laughter sharp and grating. “Butbillionaires? I could hardly believe it.” She fixes me with a look that gives megoosebumps, equal parts appraisal and incredulity. “I have to hand it to you, Olivia—I don’t know how you managed it. You’re not exactly…well, you know. But whatever wiles you used to catch his attention, I have to say I’m impressed.”
Heat rises to my cheeks, not from pride but from sheer mortification. I clench my fists, digging my nails into my palms to keep from snapping back.
“For the first time, Olivia, I’m proud of you,” she says. “I finally understand why you worked so hard to get into that fancy university—you wanted to snag a rich man!”
I swallow hard, her words slicing through me with a precision only she can manage. She isn’t proud of me for who I am or what I’ve achieved—only for what she thinks I could gain for her.
Her voice drops conspiratorially as she leans closer. “You need to secure a proposal, Olivia. For the family’s benefit. Imagine what Nathaniel’s resources could do for all of us.”
