His name was Nathaniel

74

The weight of the articles still clung to Adaliya like a shadow. No matter how much she tried to shake them off, their words lingered in the back of her mind. But what made it worse—what made it real—was when the people in her life started seeing them too.

She had barely gotten out of bed when her phone started buzzing non-stop.

First, it was her mother.

Then her father.

Then Lola.

Then a few other friends she hadn't spoken to in a while, suddenly interested in her life now that she had become a public spectacle.

With a deep breath, Adaliya answered her mother's call, already bracing herself.

"What is this nonsense I'm seeing all over the internet?" her mother's sharp voice greeted her, not even a hello first.

Adaliya rubbed her temples. "Good morning, Mama."

"Don't 'good morning' me, Adaliya," her mother snapped. "Is it true? Are you really dating him? That rich Donovan boy?"

Her stomach tightened. "Yes, Mama. It's true."

Silence.

Then came the disapproving tsk she knew all too well. "And you didn't think to tell us? Instead, we have to find out from tabloids like some strangers?"

"It wasn't something I planned," Adaliya said, keeping her voice steady. "Nathaniel and I—"

Her mother cut her off. "Nathaniel?" she repeated, as if his name itself was distasteful. "Adaliya, do you even understand what you're getting yourself into? This is a powerful, wealthy family. This is not our world."

"I know that," Adaliya said quietly.

"Then what are you thinking?" Her mother's voice was laced with frustration. "People like the Donovans, they do not see us as equals. They will never truly accept you, Adaliya. You will always be an outsider in their world."

Adaliya clenched her jaw. "Nathaniel isn't like that."

"He's still a Donovan," her mother said flatly. "And people like them—his family, his world—will chew you up and spit you out the moment you step out of line. Have you seen what they're saying about you? It's already starting."

Adaliya swallowed hard, knowing exactly what her mother was referring to.

"Break it off," her mother continued, her tone final. "Before this gets worse."

Adaliya stiffened. "I'm not breaking up with him."

Her mother let out an exasperated sigh. "So you're choosing him over your own family?"

"I'm not choosing anything, Mama," Adaliya said, frustration creeping into her voice. "I just— I want to be happy."

Her mother scoffed. "Happiness? You think happiness is worth ruining your future over? Mark my words, Adaliya, when this all comes crashing down, you'll regret it."

Tears burned at the back of Adaliya's eyes. "I have to go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her mother's sigh was heavy, disappointed. "Think about what I said."

The line went dead.

She barely had a moment to breathe before Lola's name flashed across her screen next.

Adaliya considered ignoring it. But Lola was her best friend. If anyone would understand, it would be her.

Or so she thought.

"Adaliya, what the hell?" was the first thing out of Lola's mouth.

Adaliya pinched the bridge of her nose. "Not you too."

"Yes, me too! Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to," Adaliya defended. "It just— it all happened so fast."

Lola exhaled sharply. "Girl, I don't even know what to say. Do you know how insane this looks from the outside?"

Adaliya's chest tightened. "Is it that hard to believe that Nathaniel and I are serious?"

Lola scoffed. "Serious? Adaliya, do you even remember what happened the last time you trusted him?"

Adaliya froze.

She didn't have to ask what Lola meant.

Lola's voice was sharper now. "Because I remember. I remember how you used to sneak around, meeting him whenever you could. How you made excuses for him, how you always put him first. And then? Poof. He disappeared. For years. And you were heartbroken, Adaliya. Completely wrecked."

"That was different," Adaliya muttered, looking away.

"Was it?" Lola pressed. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like history repeating itself. And this time? It's worse. Because now, the whole world is involved."

Adaliya's hands clenched into fists. "He had reasons, Lola."

"And what if he has reasons again?" Lola shot back. "What if something happens, and he vanishes again? What if he chooses his family over you? Or worse—what if they make that choice for him?"

Adaliya's throat tightened.

"I get it," Lola continued, her tone softer now. "You love him. I'm not saying he doesn't love you back. But love isn't enough, A. Not in his world. This isn't just about you and Nathaniel—it's about power, influence, money, legacy."

Adaliya swallowed, her mind racing with all the doubts she had been trying to ignore.

"I just don't want to watch you go through that again," Lola finished. "Because last time? You barely got through it."

Adaliya inhaled sharply, trying to keep herself steady.

"I hear you," she finally said.

Lola sighed. "I hope so."

There was a long pause before Lola added, "I love you, A. You're my best friend. I just... I don't trust him not to hurt you again."

When the call ended, Adaliya sat there, her emotions tangled into a mess she couldn't sort out.

Her mother didn't approve because of who Nathaniel was.

Lola didn't approve because of who he had been to her in the past.

And Nathaniel? He had no idea any of this was happening.

And she wasn't going to tell him.