Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100 It’s Not An Excuse

Chapter 100 It’s Not An Excuse

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Marcus, sitting beside her, had also caught a glimpse of the name flashing on her phone

screen.

His gaze darkened.

Natalie pushed the door open, answered the call, and strode up the steps into the house.

Marcus exhaled a deep breath, his expression unreadable.

Once she was inside, Jackson finally explained why he’d called.

“Grandpa’s birthday is the day after tomorrow. We have decided to throw a big party for him, so I need you to be there.”

“Got it.”

Natalie’s tone was flat; her face gave nothing away.

“Word’s gotten around in Brookvale about you having gone to prison. So when you show up that day, you’d better behave yourself. Don’t embarrass me, understood?”

His voice carried a clear warning.

The corners of her lips curved in a mocking smile. “If you’re so afraid I’ll disgrace you, then why even call? You could just forbid me from going.”

“Because my mom insisted. You’re still Grandpa’s attending physician; in case anything happens in such a large gathering, she wants you there. I’m not the one who wants you to come, understand?” Jackson’s voice sharpened with irritation.

“Marcus already told me. I agreed with him, which is why I’ll go, not because of your phone call. Do you understand that?” Natalie’s words were colder than his.

Her response made Jackson’s voice jump an octave. “Why are you suddenly so close to Uncle Marcus? Don’t tell me it’s just because of that kid! Stop using that as an excuse.”

“It’s not an excuse. It’s the truth.”

Natalie’s patience snapped; she hung up without hesitation.

She had barely ended the call when the front door pushed open.

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18:36 Wed, Oct 1

Chapter 100 It’s Not An Excuse

Lucy walked in.

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“Natalic, Marcus is still here. His car’s been out front the whole time.” Lucy pointed toward the door. “He’s probably here for you. Do you want to go out?”

Natalic froze. He hasn’t left yet? Could it be, because he was worried about Lily?

“I already saw him. I just came in. I’m guessing he’s lingering for Lily’s sake; he’ll probably leave soon.” Natalic turned toward the kitchen. “Today was Cindy’s death, after all. It’s normal he’d be worried about the child.”

Lucy nodded thoughtfully. “Marcus is actually a pretty good guy.”

“Is he?” Natalie looked back at her. “In what way?”

“In every way.” Lucy held up her fingers, ticking them off. “He looks good, comes from a good family, his career’s solid. Sure, he’s a little cold on the outside, but he’s one of those warm–on- the–inside types. And as for his body…”

She stopped short, then gave Natalie a long look.

Natalie reached for the vegetables on the counter, but froze under that stare. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Be honest,” Lucy said with a sly smile. “You see him all the time. Have you noticed his body? What do you think?”

“You shouldn’t be asking me that. How would I know what his body’s like?”

But even as she said it, the memory struck her.

The kisses they’d shared flashed across her mind.

She’d barely remembered the first two encounters–but the third… she had been fully aware. The hard lines of his chest were still vivid in her mind.

She shook her head quickly, trying to fling the memory away.

Lucy picked up on it right away, “What’s with that head shake? You’ve noticed, haven’t you? Is there something wrong with his body?”

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