Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14 Fire at the Orphanage

Chapter 14 Fire at the Orphanage.

“They say it happened in the summer three years ago.”

James glanced at the man in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

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Marcus’s eyes lifted slightly. “We should start with her last client. Might be the fastest way to find her.”

“Got it, Mr. Collins.”

Back at Windrise Tower, Natalie

Cht a message to Gabriel, letting him know she wanted the divorce and that it was her decision alone. She asked him not to make things difficult for his father and son.

She wasn’t trying to defend them–she just wanted Jackson to sign the papers quickly so she could finally walk away.

Half an hour later, Gabriel replied with just one short sentence:

“Grandpa only has one wish now–he hopes you all live well.”

Natalie stared blankly at her phone, eyes fixed on those few words.

Live well.

She had once wanted that too. But ever since that father–and–son duo threw her in jail, there was no way things could ever be “well” between them again.

The warm yellow light above her head cast a glow on those words, making them sting even

more.

A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts.

She got un to

open it and found Lucy standing outside.

“This girl Lily is unbelievably hard to track down. Probably has to do with her messy background.”

Lucy handed her a file and walked inside.

Natalie followed her in and opened the folder.

Inside were all of Lily’s biological father’s IOUS.

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Chapter 14 Fire at the Orphanage

Gambling debts, credit tabs at convenience stores, unpaid bills at small restaurants…

“So you’re saying her dad owed a ton of money and has been dragging her around ever since?”

“Exactly. The guy’s scum. Not only does he owe money everywhere, I heard he beats the kid too. That’s why we need to find her fast…“.

Lucy poured herself a glass of water, then looked up at Natalie seriously.

“But I just have this feeling the kid’s not with him. Is it possible that after he took her, he dumped her in an orphanage?”

“It’s definitely possible. A gambling addict’s not the type to take responsibility. Dragging a child around? Not realistic.”

Natalie’s expression darkened. “Where was their last known address?”

“Hang on.” Lucy pulled out her phone and swiped quickly, then looked up. “Gold Road.”

“What’s the nearest orphanage to that address? Have you checked it out?”

“You said this afternoon the dad took the kid, so I focused on tracking him. Didn’t dig into any orphanages.”

Natalie gave a small nod. “I’ll look into it tonight. If there’s one nearby, I’ll head over

tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

After a pause, Lucy glanced up at her. “When are you going back to work?”

“You mean the jade carving?”

“Yeah.” Lucy grinned. “A bunch of old clients came to me hoping to get their broken jade fixed. I’ve already turned down six jobs.”

“Jade work is expensive. I don’t have the funds right now. Planning to open a clinic first. Once that’s running, I’ll think about taking on jade commissions again.”

“That’s amazing! You’re finally getting back to your career. Seeing that ambitious spark in you again–honestly, it lifts my whole mood. This is the Natalie I know.”

Natalie glanced up at her, a smile slowly spreading across her face.

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Chapter 14 Fire at the Orphanage

The next afternoon.

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Using the address Lucy gave her, Natalie checked the map–and sure enough, there was an orphanage nearby.

She took a cab over. Several sleek black cars were parked at the gate.

After explaining her reason to the security guards, they let her in.

Natalie sat waiting in the director’s office.

According to the staff, the president of a philanthropic organization was visiting today to discuss improvements to the orphanage’s facilities. The director was meeting with him personally and would see Natalie once he left.

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She waited.

And waited.

Nearly thirty minutes passed, but the director still hadn’t come.

Just as she stood up to stretch her legs, a sharp, acrid smell hit her.

It smelled like burning wood…

Voices rang out just beyond the door.

“Lucy, the second–floor storage room’s on fire! Might be an electrical short–three kids are trapped inside, the flames are spreading fast…”

“Cut the power and call emergency services! I’ll get the security team to help!”

Natalie, a mother herself, felt her instincts surge as soon as she heard children were trapped.

Most of the orphans she’d seen earlier were only five or six years old–far too young to escape

on their own.

She yanked the door open and rushed out.

Thick smoke was already curling down the hallway.

Following the smell, she headed toward the orphanage’s main corridor.

Smoke was pouring from the stairwell at the far end.

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Chapter 14 Fire at the Orphanage

Without hesitation, she took off toward it.

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At the orphanage’s front entrance….

“Mr. Collins, thank you again for coming today. Let me treat you to a meal next time.”

The female director smiled warmly and extended her hand.

Marcus was just reaching to shake it when a piercing voice rang out behind them:

“Fire! The storage room on the second floor is on fire! Someone help–get water!”

Marcus turned sharply and looked toward the building.

Smoke was billowing from the right side of the second floor.

And then he saw a figure racing down the corridor.

A woman in a white dress, hair flying as she ran, her profile flashing past one white column after another as she sprinted up the stairs like the wind.

Even from this distance, Marcus never forgot a face he’d seen up close.

Especially not hers.

But…

Why is she here?

By the time Natalie reached the fire, it was already raging.

Several female staff stood frozen at the doorway–none dared to go in.

“Help! Somebody help us!”

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