Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 21

**Chapter 21: Charity Banquet**

**Landon’s POV:**

I remained by Aaliyah’s side, my presence a silent promise that I would be there for her until she regained her strength. The hospital room felt heavy with unspoken worries, and I could sense the weight of the moment pressing down on us both.

“Aaliyah…” I ventured softly, hoping to draw her attention.

“Hmm?” Her gaze lifted to meet mine, but her complexion was still alarmingly pale, a stark reminder of the night before.

The sight of her so fragile made me hesitate, my thoughts swirling with the words I was about to utter. Nathan had never seen eye to eye with Natalie, and that discord had only intensified since Aaliyah had moved in with us. The audacity of Nathan calling Aaliyah “Mommy” directly gnawed at me. I longed to urge her to be firmer with him, to set boundaries, but deep down, I knew that now was not the right moment for such discussions.

It was best to avoid bringing up Natalie altogether.

“Never mind,” I finally said, forcing a light tone. “Just promise me you won’t overindulge in hard liquor again. Your body has its limits.”

“Okay, I promise. But you should really get some rest,” she replied, her voice softening, and a flicker of a smile graced her lips, a small victory in the somber atmosphere.

“I’m not tired yet,” I insisted, shaking my head. “I’ll leave only when I see you drift off to sleep. That’s the only way I’ll truly feel at ease.”

Aaliyah understood my stubbornness all too well. With a resigned sigh, she ceased her attempts to persuade me and instead tightened her grip on my hand, her eyes fluttering shut.

I couldn’t help but gaze at her delicate features, each line of her face etched with the remnants of worry and weariness. Yet a strange sensation washed over me, an unsettling awareness that time was a relentless force, eroding the spirit of even the most gentle souls. Aaliyah, once vibrant and full of life, now seemed burdened by an invisible weight.

My thoughts shifted unexpectedly to Natalie, her demeanor growing increasingly poised and aloof.

The dawn broke, and I made a conscious choice to wear the shirt that Natalie had gifted me. It felt like a silent declaration, a way of linking myself to her, but as I sat down for breakfast, I couldn’t help but notice her absence. Even after I finished my meal, she had yet to appear.

“Where is my mate? Is she still in bed?” I found myself asking the maid nearby, unable to suppress my curiosity.

Aaliyah flinched slightly at my use of the word “mate,” her eyes darting to mine, a mix of surprise and concern.

“Mrs. Richardson hasn’t been home for the past few days,” the maid replied gently, her voice barely above a whisper.

I was taken aback, a wave of confusion washing over me. “What do you mean by that?”

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