His Rejected Mateless Luna

Terra

“How’s Mr. Jensen’s foot looking today?” I asked Lucy as I entered the clinic exam room.

She finished redressing the older man’s injured ankle and stepped back. “Much improved after a week of rest and ice. I think light activity should be fine now.”

I completed a quick check, confirming the swelling had gone down nicely thanks to Lucy’s excellent nursing care. “Looks like you’re well on the mend. Take it slowly easing back into regular chores, and keep icing after activity.”

Mr. Jensen nodded, clearly relieved to be given leave to use the foot again. I smiled reassuringly as he hobbled out. Routine patient concerns kept me grounded amidst inner turmoil. Here, helping people was my sole focus.

With the morning appointment rush complete, I retreated to my office intending to update patient charts. But exhaustion quickly overwhelmed me. Days of relentless worry and sleeplessness since the cabin confrontation with Nathan had drained the last reserves keeping me functional.

I allowed my heavy eyelids to drift closed, just for a moment. But sudden tapping nearby jolted me awake for what seemed like seconds later. I bolted upright, heart hammering.

Nathan stood scowling in my office doorway. I shrank back, fully expecting vitriolic recriminations over keeping him from his sons.

“Get out,” I managed sharply, despite quaking inside. “Haven’t you done enough damage already?”

His stern expression flickered briefly to remorse before shutting down again. “I only came to talk, Terra. Clear the air between us finally.”

I searched his face warily. Nathan seemed uncharacteristically hesitant, lacking the coiled aggression of our recent clashes. But I could not trust any guise he put on after being so ruthlessly outmanoeuvred.

Seeing my unspoken scepticism, Nathan ran an agitated hand through his hair. “Please, Terra. I’m trying to make peace between us, however undeserved. This feud serves none.”

When I remained stonily silent, he stepped closer, hands spread beseechingly. “At least tell me if the boys are settling alright? I never meant them harm.”

Red-hot protective rage temporarily overcame fear. “They were happy and safe until you interfered!” I hissed. “What right do you have to just seize them without warning?”

Nathan flinched but stood his ground. “I’m their father, Terra. I only did what any parent would in wanting to know my sons. Can’t you understand that?”

His earnest appeal nearly cracked my anger, but I clung to it desperately. If he saw weakness, he would exploit it ruthlessly.

I stood abruptly, moving around my desk to force space between us. “You lost any rights over them or me long ago with your actions. I want you gone from our lives for good.”

“Damn it Terra, stop trying to shut me out!” Nathan slammed his fist on my desk, making me jump. “I’m done being cast as the villain here when you kept my own flesh and blood from me for years!”

Seeing him lose restraint sent panic racing through me. I fumbled to grab my keys off the desk, ready to flee his temper, but Nathan gripped my wrist lightning-fast.

“Let me go!” Tcried, tugging futilely. But his hold remained unbreakable, his wiry strength far superior.

Nathan’s chest heaved with harely-leashed fury, eyes blazing, but his voice dropped low and lethal. “No more running away. For once you will face me honestly, or I will walk straight to the authorities and show them what a conniving fraud their precious Dr. Terra really is.”

His unveiled threat stole my breath. I stared helplessly, trapped between equally perilous options now – bolster his twisted allegations by resisting further, or gamble precariously on diffusing this volatile situation through placation. When it came to the boys, he held all the power.

Seeing my desperate indecision, Nathan eased closer, grip softening by a fraction. “Please Terra, this mutual war gains us nothing. I’m trying to make things right somehow. But you’ve got to give a little too.” His impassioned plea held a tinge of the friend I once trusted deeply.

I wavered, the last defences weakening. What choice did I have but to hear him out, however hollow the promises? I had to believe some shred of nobility yet lingered in Nathan, however deeply buried. Conceding gracefully remained my only hope of sparing the boys greater trauma.

Reluctantly I inclined my head in acquiescence and slowly retook my seat as he released my wrist. Nathan visibly relaxed too, pulling over a chair to sit adjacent but maintaining a cautious distance between us. The clash of wills had passed its violent crest, leaving a weary routine of rebuilding from the wreckage. Neither of us spoke for a long tense moment.

Finally, Nathan broke the fragile silence gently. “I know you’ve suffered deeply on account of me, Terra. You have every right to hate what I’ve become.” His amber eyes were mournful. “But don’t punish two blameless children for their father’s sins.”

The simple but incisive plea pierced straight through to my maternal heart. As much as I despised Nathan for threatening everything I held dear, he was right. My sons deserved a chance to one day know their biological father with open minds, not bi**ed through my bitter experiences.

With herculean effort, I unclenched my white-knuckled grip on the chair arms. There could be no yielding on basic principles of right and wrong. But the door stood ajar now for trying to guide this river of bad blood between us into less destructive channels.

I took a slow breath, then met Nathan’s gaze levelly. “I want that chance at redemption for them, and you.” He blinked rapidly at the admission, some tension leaving his battle-ready shoulders. “But it will take time earning back even scraps of my trust. Your bullying tactics proved precisely why I fear your influence.”

Nathan looked sharply away, muscle in his jaw feathering. I braced for outraged denial. But he just gave a bone-deep sigh. “You’re entirely justified in those fears. I let obsession rule reason.” His gaze when it met mine again reflected raw honesty. “All I can do is vow to be worthy of your faith someday…and give you space until you believe my heart is true.”

I searched his solemn face. This humility was unprecedented from the arrogant, entitled Nathan I knew. The words could still be calculated manipulation, but something in his raw anguish felt sincere. Was a chance at redemption possible between two souls so scared? The Kontings did not surrender easily. But for my sons, we must try.

Slowly I extended a hand between us, a fragile olive branch. Nathan grasped it gently, his larger calloused palm dwarfing mine. I still flinched at the contact from deeply ingrained mistrust. But we maintained the feather-light clasp for a moment, a wordless promise of tentative peace between us.

Then I withdrew my hand deliberately and sat back. “Don’t mistake my small trust as approval yet regarding the boys. You ambushed them with no consideration for their wellbeing. That betrayed your own interests.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Nathan’s hopeful expression crumpled, but he nodded resignedly. “That was foolishly short-sighted, you’re right. I was so focused on claiming my rightful place, I never considered how it would feel through their eyes.” His eyes took on a faraway sheen. “They must be so confused and scared now.”

My tone softened slightly, seeing his earnest regret over causing the boys distress. “Collins is with them for familiarity. But yes, it’s an overwhelming change.” Nathan looked reassured hearing the trusted doctor remained nearby.

After another weighted pause, I added quietly, “When the shock fades some, perhaps short visits with their father would help the transition.” Nathan’s gaze flew to mine, naked hope dawning again. “But only under my supervision, in surroundings comfortable for them,” I cautioned sternly.

“Yes, of course. You have my word.” Nathan could hardly contain eager relief at this concession. However strained our armistice, keeping the boys’ wellbeing paramount was essential common ground. Their upheaval left no victors, only unified grief.

I stood then, signalling this excruciatingly difficult meeting and new understanding was concluded for now. Nathan rose as well, wisely not trying to prolong our contact. But at the door he glanced back once more, golden eyes softened with shy vulnerability so unlike his usual formidable aura.

“Thank you for taking a chance, despite everything. I’ll do right by them. And you.” The raw sincerity in his tone resonated through all my defences.

Then he stepped outside, leaving me leaning heavily against the doorframe, emotionally hollowed out. Fate seemed determined to continually intertwine our lines, no matter how resistant the threads.

Where the pattern ultimately led, none could foresee. But the loom’s shuttles were in motion again now, however reluctantly.