Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158, Playing the Victim

“Jackson,” Victoria said, rushing to his side, her voice trembling with manufactured hurt. “Ms. Foster is blaming me for Aiden being sick. She said it’s because I gave him fried food.” Her performance was flawless, a perfect damsel in distress that any man would feel compelled to defend.

Heh. The woman was a master at playing the victim.

“Victoria was just being nice and making Aiden his favorite food. Why are you attacking her for that?” Jackson’s brow furrowed, his glare sharp and accusatory.

Natalie’s voice turned to ice. “Fine. Next time he’s sick, don’t call me.”

His voice rose. “Are you even listening to yourself, Natalie?”

“I don’t have time to stand here and waste my breath on you two.” She shot him a final, contemptuous look and turned toward the door. “The boy is stable. If you want to ignore my advice, go ahead. Feed him more fried food. Let him have diarrhea again.”

“How can you speak like that?” Jackson’s entire presence seemed to drop in temperature, his anger a palpable force in the room.

Natalie ignored him and walked out.

The drive home did nothing to soothe the tight knot of anger in her chest. The day had started well enough, but the visit had soured everything.

As she pulled up to her apartment building, she saw a familiar car parked at the curb. Her breath caught. The man leaning against the driver’s side door looked up as she approached, a cigarette held loosely between his fingers. Their eyes met.

Her hands tightened on the steering wheel. What was he doing here?

Marcus stubbed out his cigarette and walked toward her Porsche. Her heart began to beat a little faster. She rolled down the window as he reached her car. “Marcus.”

He rested a hand on the window frame, his gaze intense. “Aren’t you going to get out?”

“I can’t really open the door with you standing there,” she said, a nervous flutter in her voice. She quickly changed the subject. “What are you doing here?”

Her heart began to hammer against her ribs. All the memories of the night before came rushing back. Every other time he had come here, he had said he was visiting Lily. This time, he had said he was here to see her.

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