Natasha drove in silence. The road back felt longer than usual. Her hands were steady on the steering wheel, but her mind wasn’t. Every word the woman had said replayed itself, over and over.
Buy what kids love.
Pick him up from school sotis.
Be nice to the boy.
Stop fighting Fiona.
Act like you’ve accepted them.
Natasha scoffed. Accepted them? Easy for soone else to say. The thought made her chest burn. Accept Fiona? Smile at her? Sit at the sa table and pretend everything was fine?
It felt humiliating, but humiliation was better than losing.
She glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Leo would be back from school soon. If she was going to do this, it had to look natural.
She slowed at the next junction, hesitated for half a second, then turned the wheel sharply and made a U-turn.
’Fine! I will play the part’ she thought aloud.
A few minutes later, she pulled into a large, well-known Mall, filled with bright lights, glass doors, and a crowded parking lot. Parents were everywhere, children were running and so were shouting. The noise hit her the second she stepped out of the car.
She frowned. Inside, it was worse. There were lines at the counters, so kids were crying. Parents arguing over prices and evensticky fingerprints on display shelves.
Natasha’s heels clicked sharply against the tiled floor as she walked in, her chin lifted, and her sunglasses still on. A few heads turned automatically. At the first aisle, she stopped and looked around, clearly unimpressed.
A young sales attendant noticed her imdiately and rushed over.
"Good afternoon, ma’am. Can I help you?"
"I need toys," Natasha said flatly. "For an eight-year-old boy."
The attendant smiled. "Of course. What kind—"
"Only the best," Natasha cut in. "Don’t waste my ti."
The attendant blinked, then nodded quickly. "Right this way, ma’am."
They walked past cheaper shelves, past colorful plastic items, straight towards higher-end brands. Another staff mber joined them, then another. Natasha pointed without touching, dismissing things with a flick of her fingers.
"This. And that. No, not that one."
She stopped at a shelf and frowned. "He’ll get bored of this."
"We have a newer model," one of them said quickly. "Very popular."
"I’ll take it." She didn’t even ask of the price, this made the attendants hover around her because only wealthy people do that.
"Can soone else get chocolates and so ice-cream too, only the best flavours".
Their eyes widened, not many rich people co there everyti.
"Of course ma’am" The attendant signaled the other two and they rushed imdiately.
Not long, the chocolates were brought to her. Imported brands of all kinds; dark, milk, assorted boxes. Then ice cream—multiple tubs, premium labels, flavors she didn’t bother to taste or check.
The basket filled quickly.
By the ti they reached the counter, people were staring. A few whispers followed her. Natasha removed her sunglasses slowly and placed them on the counter, enjoying the attention.
She reached into her bag and pulled out the card Anne had given her days ago.
When the cashier saw the na, her eyes widened.
"Oh—this is a Keith’s card," she said, her voice suddenly softer.
The other attendants exchanged looks.
"Yes," Natasha replied calmly. "It is."
The cashier smiled nervously. "Are... are these for your son?"
Natasha lifted her chin. "Of course."
Soone gasped quietly.
"I’m Nathan Keith’s fiancée," Natasha added smoothly. "We have a child together."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
"Oh wow," one of the girls whispered. "The Nathan Keith?"
Natasha smiled, slow and pleased.
"These are for our son," she continued. "I like to make sure he has the best."
The complints ca quickly after that.
"What a lucky boy."
"You’re such a beautiful family."
"He must adore you."
Natasha soaked it in. This—this was how it was supposed to feel. Admired, respected and recognized.
The cashier handed her the receipt with both hands. "Thank you so much for shopping with us, ma’am."
"Of course," Natasha replied, already turning away.
Two attendants rushed to help carry the bags out to her car. They carefully placed the toys, chocolates, and ice cream inside, making sure nothing tipped over.
As Natasha got into the driver’s seat, she caught her reflection in the mirror.
She smoothed her perfect hair and wore a calm smile. This wasn’t surrender, It was control.
She started the engine and drove toward the road, already rehearsing how warm and sweet she would act when she walked through the door.
This ti, she would do it properly. And this ti, it would work.
Natasha’s car rolled into the driveway just as the house lights were beginning to co on.
She stepped out smoothly, handed her keys to the staff, and personally made sure the shopping bags were taken from the back seat. Toys, chocolates, ice cream — everything accounted for.
Inside, voices carried on faintly from the sitting room.
Gabriel was seated with a magazine, with Anne beside him, her glasses low on her nose. Caleb was on his phone, half-listening to the television.
Leo sat on the floor in front of the TV, he preferred the floor to the couch. Old habits from the orphanage. He was already changed into casual clothes, with legs crossed, focused on whatever cartoon was playing.
Natasha entered, as the maid also followed behind.
"Good evening," Anne said, looking up. "You’re back already."
"Yes," Natasha replied calmly. "I stopped sowhere on the way."
Her gaze went to Leo. He noticed her then, glancing back over his shoulder.
"Hi," Natasha said, forcing a light tone. "How was school?"
Leo blinked, clearly surprised. "It was... okay."
She gestured to the bags being placed on the floor. "I brought you sothing."
His eyes dropped to them, curiosity flashing before he caught himself. "For ?"
"Yes," she replied. "Co see."
She gestured to the staff behind her. "I picked up a few things." Leo stared, unsure what to say.
"These are for you," Natasha said. "I thought you might like them."
He hesitated, before speaking. "Thank you."
One of the maids set the bags down near the center table.
"What’s that?" Caleb asked, finally looking up.
"It’s for Leo," Natasha said simply.
Everyone’s attention shifted imdiately, Leo stood slowly and walked closer. He didn’t touch anything yet.
One of the staff opened a bag and handed Leo a boxed toy.
His eyes widened before he could stop himself. "For ?"
"Yes," she said. "Go ahead."
He took it carefully, then another bag was opened — chocolates and ice-cream.
Anne smiled faintly. "That was thoughtful of you, Natasha "
Natasha inclined her head slightly, accepting the approval.
Leo looked up at her. "Thank you mom."
She nodded once. "You’re welco."
Gabriel closed his magazine. "Do you like them Leo?" Gabriel asked and he nodded.
"It was very thoughtful of you Natasha to make my grandson happy."
Natasha straightened up, faking a smile.
’He acts as if she isn’t his mother’ She thought
’Grandson my foot’
And there’s ice cream," she added casually. "You can have so after dinner Leo."
His eyes widened just a little. "Really?"
"Yes," she said. "I’ll tell the servants."
"I have to go change everyone, I’ll be right back for dinner."
"Of course, go ahead." Anne replied.
She turned and walked upstairs, her expression neutral again the mont she was out of sight.
Inside her room, she shut the door and exhaled slowly.
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