Chapter 12 - NATHAN’S EXPLANATION
Three weeks later, Nathan requested a mediated meeting.
Leah agreed for one reason.
She wanted answers.
They sat across from each other in Adrian’s conference room.
Nathan looked exhausted.
No suit.
No wedding ring.
He noticed Leah looking at his hand.
“I took it off.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t think I deserved to wear it.”
She felt nothing.
That frightened her.
“Why did you do it?”
Nathan stared at the table.
“Money.”
“Only money?”
“No.”
He exhaled.
“My mother has controlled me since Dad died.”
“That is an explanation.”
Leah said.
“Not an answer.”
Nathan nodded.
“She convinced me you would eventually leave me.”
“Why?”
“Because of the trust.”
Leah frowned.
“She said once Owen was born, you wouldn’t need me.”
Leah almost laughed.
“So you decided to prove her right by betraying me?”
His eyes filled.
“I was scared.”
“You were scared I would leave, so you planned to institutionalize me and take our child.”
“I told myself it would only be temporary.”
“Temporary theft?”
“Temporary psychiatric imprisonment?”
“Temporary replacement wife?”
Nathan flinched.
“I never planned to marry Simone.”
“That is the part you want credit for?”
“No.”
He covered his face.
Leah waited.
Then Nathan said.
“I thought once Mom stabilized financially, I could undo everything.”
“You thought you could give me my life back afterward.”
“Yes.”
The honesty was grotesque.
Leah leaned forward.
“You saw me as a problem you could pause.”
Nathan started crying.
“I know.”
“No.”
Her voice hardened.
“You know now.”
“You didn’t know when I was pregnant and terrified.”
“You didn’t know when you watched your mother build a psychiatric file.”
“You didn’t know when you told Simone to move into my house.”
He lowered his head.
“I’m sorry.”
Leah believed him.
That did not matter.
She stood.
Nathan looked up.
“Is there any chance?”
“For what?”
“Us.”
Leah stared at the man she had loved for eight years.
“No.”
His face broke.
She continued.
May you like
“But there is a chance for you to become a father Owen does not need protection from.”
That was the only chance she intended to give.
