Chapter 17
Nathan's POV
I got downstairs.
Even before I stepped into the dining room, I could hear my mum laughing at something Zane said.
I paused for a second.
Then walked in.
"Good evening," I said.
"Evening," Chris replied.
His eyes moved to me.
"You're late."
I stilled.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly, taking my seat—
directly across from Zane.
"It's fine," Chris said. "Dinner is important. You shouldn't skip it."
I nodded, forcing a small smile.
My mum poured Zane another cup, her attention fully on him.
She really likes him.
The thought came uninvited.
Then—
a chair was pulled beside me.
I didn't need to look.
"Hello, familia," Kieran said.
Silence fell.
Chris didn't respond.
Neither did my mum.
I kept my head down.
The air shifted.
Heavy.
I glanced up briefly—
Zane was already looking at me.
Concern written all over his face.
I forced a smile.
I'm fine.
I wasn't.
Kieran broke the silence.
"So, Dad… about the Crownies project," he said casually, reaching for a glass. "I was thinking—wouldn't it be better to go for a new town? Something small. Underdeveloped."
Chris looked at him.
"Since when did you care about the business?"
Kieran smiled faintly.
"Come on, Dad. This business is going to be mine sooner or later."
Chris studied him for a moment.
Suspicious.
Then nodded.
"What town do you have in mind?"
Kieran leaned back slightly.
"I came across one some time ago. Couldn't quite remember the name at first…" he said slowly.
Then—
"Raven… Raventon."
My mum's spoon slipped from her hand.
It hit the plate.
A sharp sound in the quiet room.
She picked it up immediately.
Too quickly.
My back dampened with sweat.
"Where the hell is that?" Zane said.
"You wouldn't know," Kieran replied lightly. "That's because it's old. Practically forgotten. Uncivilized, even."
His gaze shifted.
To my mum.
"I'm sure you've heard of it, Grace," he added. "You're from the West, aren't you? Raventon is deep western coast."
Chris turned to her.
Waiting.
She froze.
"I… I don't know… I—"
"We're not from the West."
The words came out before I could stop them.
All eyes turned to me.
"We came from Braez," I continued. "The East."
Silence.
Kieran's eyes met mine.
Dark.
Interested.
"Is that right?" he asked.
"Yes," I said.
My gaze flickered to my mum.
She didn't speak.
Just stared.
"Hm."
Kieran leaned back.
Chris exhaled lightly.
"Fine. Look more into this… Raventon," he said, dabbing his mouth with his napkin before standing.
"I'm done."
He left the table.
Just like that.
The tension didn't leave with him.
I could still feel Kieran's eyes on me.
Zane stood next.
"Thank you for the meal," he said to my mum.
"You're welcome," she replied.
Then, softer—
"And send my regards to your mother."
Her voice cracked.
Zane noticed.
I saw it in his eyes.
Then he looked at me.
Kieran stood up as well.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Zane said.
I nodded faintly.
He hesitated—
just a second—
then turned.
Kieran followed.
The two of them walked out together.
The room felt colder.
My mum's eyes met mine.
Like she wanted to say something.
But the maids were still there.
Watching.
So she stood instead—
and walked away.
I didn't hesitate.
I stood up—
and followed her.
-----
Nathan's POV
I followed behind my mum as she walked into my room.
She didn't wait for me.
Just went straight in.
I closed the door behind us.
She paced slowly for a moment, her hands restless.
"How does Kieran know about Raventon?" she asked suddenly.
I was silent.
"It could just be a coincidence," I said quickly. "He did said he saw the name somewhere."
She stopped pacing and sat on the edge of the bed.
"You think he knows nothing?" she asked, watching me closely.
"No," I answered quickly. "Like I said, it's just a coincidence."
She studied me.
"Then why did he ask me about it?"
Silence.
I hesitated.
"I don't know."
Her expression tightened.
"He knows something," she said quietly.
I stepped closer.
"it fine," I said. "I'll find out. I'll handle it."
She was silent.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Are you close to him?" she asked.
I blinked.
"No. No, we're not."
She didn't look convinced.
"And Zane?" she added.
My chest tightened slightly.
"I saw the way he was looking at you during dinner," she said.
I opened my mouth—
"I… I—"
"Why can't you just be normal?" she suddenly snapped.
I froze.
The room went silent.
Her face shifted immediately, like she regretted it.
Then she reached out and touched my face.
"It's my fault," she said softly. "I didn't raise you right. I wasn't a good mother."
I shook my head quickly.
"No, Mum. You're."
I forced a small smile.
"You're a good mother."
She looked at me for a moment.
"I'll fix this," I said, taking her hand. "I'll make you proud."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"My lucky charm," she whispered.
For a moment—
it felt like we had gone back in time.
Back before everything.
Back before Raventon.
Before all of it.
She held onto my hand a little tighter.
Then—
"I want you to do something for me," she said.
I nodded.
"Yes, Mum."
"I want you to go on a date."
I blinked.
"What?"
"With Karen's daughter. Melissa."
I stared at her.
"I know you don't know her, but she's a nice girl," she continued quickly. "I've met her. You'll like her. Her mother likes you for her daughter."
I didn't speak.
"I can't watch you go back to… your sinful ways," she said softly. "You need a woman. A good woman. A future. A family of your own."
My throat tightened.
"I'm only nineteen," I said quietly.
"You'll be twenty soon," she replied immediately. "You can start now. By twenty, who knows—you might even be engaged."
My chest felt heavy.
I just stared at her.
"Promise me," she said gently. "Promise me you'll do this for me."
Silence.
Her eyes didn't leave mine.
So slowly—
I nodded.
"Yes, Mum."
She pulled me into a hug immediately.
I didn't resist.
I just stood there.
Holding her.
Feeling her shake slightly in my arms.
Breathing in her scent.
It had been a long time since she held me like this.
Too long.