Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 44

**Chapter 44: Question What I’d Been Certain Of**

**Landon’s POV:**

I found myself seated in the dim light of my study, surrounded by a chaotic assortment of files and papers that demanded my attention. Yet, despite my efforts to focus, my thoughts drifted away like leaves caught in a gentle breeze. Aaliyah was curled up beside me, her warmth radiating against my side, her presence both comforting and unsettling. The familiar scent of her pheromones wrapped around me, a soothing balm, but beneath that tranquility, a restlessness gnawed at my insides.

The recent revelation that Natalie had discovered Aaliyah’s hiring weighed heavily on my mind. Strangely, Natalie had shown no reaction to this news, and that silence was as perplexing as it was troubling.

Just then, my phone buzzed to life, illuminating the shadows of the room with its bright screen. It was a flurry of messages from old classmates, each one hinting at some drama involving Natalie and referencing a video of Rebecca’s apology that had surfaced in our alumni group.

Rebecca? The same fiery female Alpha from my class who had once relentlessly pursued me? Apologizing to Natalie? It felt surreal.

Curiosity piqued, I tapped on the video link circulating through the group chat. The sight that greeted me was shocking. There was Rebecca, her hair disheveled, her face a mask of distress. Her eyes, usually so vibrant, were now clouded with fear, and her voice, usually so commanding, came out as a raspy whisper. She confessed to feeling jealousy towards Natalie and declared her intention to leave Maritime City. This was a drastic departure from the bold persona I had known.

Aaliyah nestled her head against my shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with sympathy for Rebecca and a hint of disapproval for Natalie’s part in this drama.

As I watched the trembling figure of Rebecca on the screen, my frown deepened. The Rebecca I remembered was fierce, unafraid to challenge anyone, even me, when I had turned her down. Would she truly post a video that jeopardized her future over a mere spat with a classmate? It seemed so out of character.

I voiced my thoughts aloud, trying to make sense of the situation. “Perhaps she did something to Natalie and got caught. With Rebecca’s personality, she wouldn’t just back down without a fight.”

The moment I spoke, I felt the weight of my words. I was merely reacting based on what I had observed of Natalie over the years. She wasn’t the type to bully those weaker than herself; her pride dictated that she would confront her adversaries head-on, using her strength.

“Always defending her, aren’t you?” Aaliyah suddenly lifted her head, her expression shifting from calm to hurt in an instant. She snatched the phone from my hand, her voice tinged with both anguish and irritation. “They haven’t spoken in two years! What could Rebecca possibly have done to Natalie? Who would sabotage their own life for no reason? It must be that Natalie pushed her too far!”

Seeing the glimmer of tears in her eyes struck a chord deep within me. I hadn’t intended to hurt her. I took a deep breath, attempting to soften my tone. “That’s not what I meant…”

“Natalie wouldn’t bully others on purpose,” I blurted out, and as the words left my mouth, I realized I had crossed a line.

Aaliyah’s face drained of color. She stood abruptly, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. Her voice trembled with barely contained anger. “So, you trust Natalie that much? Now you think I’m slandering your precious girl, right?”

This cycle of doubt and misunderstanding left me feeling utterly helpless. “Aaliyah, I’m just trying to make a reasonable judgment based on what I know about her…” I attempted to explain, but my words felt inadequate.

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