Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2 What She Went Through

“You’ve been to prison, and now you want a divorce? What will people think?” Aiden blurted out.

Even Jackson froze for a second.

He figured she’d play the victim, maybe try to squeeze some money out of them. After all, everyone knew she’d married into the Collins family for status. What he didn’t expect… was her to ask for a divorce.

Not after everything. Three years ago, she’d done everything she could to stay close to them. To stay in their lives.

Now, even with a criminal record and three years behind bars, she wanted out?

To him, this was just another manipulation tactic. A way to guilt them into chasing after her.

Jackson’s voice turned cold. “Aiden’s right. If you walk away from the Collins family, where exactly are you going to go? Keep acting like this, and you’re just turning yourself into a joke.”

But Natalie didn’t react.

She got a cab and didn’t even look at the driver staring at her.

Just before she got in, she turned to look at Jackson and Aiden one last time.

“That’s my business,” she said flatly. I’ll for d the divorce papers when I have time. Congrats— now you can let Victoria be your wife and Aiden’s new mom.”

Her voice was cold. Distant.

And with that, she got in the car and never looked back.

Jackson watched her thin, unsteady figure disappear. For some reason, it irritated him.

He hadn’t even planned to come today. He only showed up grandfather insisted.

And she had the nerve to ask for a divorce?

because Victoria and his

The Natalie from back then would’ve been so grateful; she would’ve clung to him in tears.

He narrowed his eyes.

Let’s see what a woman with a prison record thinks she can pull off now.

Natalie leaned back in the taxi.

By chance, the screen on the dashboard started playing an interview.

“Victoria, you’re now one of the hottest stars in the industry. Any thoughts about your personal life?” the reporter teased.

Onscreen, Victoria smiled and glanced toward the audience. Her eyes locked onto Jackson and Aiden sitting in the front row, and she blushed. “I’m really happy with everything I have right now. These past three years… I’ve had two amazing men by my side during the toughest time in my life.”

The way they looked at each other, they really did seem like the perfect family.

The driver, used to driving around that area, chimed in casually, “You probably just got out, huh? That’s Ms. Victoria on TV. Those two–Mr. Jackson and his son–yeah, they’re her family. On her birthday, he lit up the whole sky with fireworks just for her. Beautiful family. Real classy.”

Natalie finally looked up. Her thin frame seemed even smaller inside that oversized coat.

She stared at the screen for a long while without saying a word.

When she finally spoke, her voice was hoarse and distant. “Classy? More like trashy.”

While she was getting beaten and starved behind bars, they were out playing happy family, watching fireworks light up the sky.

She’d gotten used to how cold they were. She thought she was past feeling anything. But somehow, this still stung.

The driver started to say something, then stopped. Maybe it was the way she looked–frail, like the wind could knock her over. Maybe it was because he’d picked her up right outside the prison gates. Either way, he didn’t argue.

She’d warned her more than once–not to let her life revolve around a man or a child. She’d supported her walking away.

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