Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 25

6:21 Fri, Sep 26
Chapter 25 Climbing the Line
Chapter 25 Climbing the Line
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Natalie opened her drowsy eyes and glanced toward the door.
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The sofa was right next to it-but what she saw first wasn’t the door. It was the figure lying on the couch.
When her eyes met the man’s, they widened in shock.
“Mar-”
Before she could finish, the man cleared his throat softly, cutting her off.
He gestured toward the door with his eyes.
Only then did Natalie quietly slip out of bed, her brain working at full speed to piece things together.
Finally, she remembered how she’d ended up in this room…
So this was Marcus’s room?
The knocking on the door next to them had only gotten louder—and it had even drawn Stella’s attention.
If she left through the main door now, it would be a disaster.
Natalie rushed toward the balcony, only to find Marcus following her.
He pulled the glass door shut behind him and leaned against the railing, expression calm. “Ms. Foster, don’t you think I deserve a proper explanation?”
The knocking continued next door, louder and louder.
“Mr. Collins, this is just a misunderstanding. I’ll explain everything later, but right now I need to get out through the other room…’
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Natalie turned, ready to climb, but then hesitated.
It was broad daylight. Climbing over a glass railing-right in front of Marcus-was anything but graceful.
“You’re not really going to climb over that in front of me, are you?”
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6:21 Fri, Sep 26
Chapter 25 Climbing the Line
His voice came from behind her, low and unhurried.
Natalic turned back, forcing an awkward smile.
She bit her lip and finally asked, “Mr. Collins, would you mind… turning around for a moment?”
To her surprise, a faint smile lifted the corners of his lips.
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For someone so famously cold and aloof, it was the first time she’d ever seen such a soft expression on his face.
He didn’t say a word. Just looked at her quietly, not moving.
“You want me to help you?”
Natalie blinked. “What?”
Marcus walked over and stopped right in front of her.
Help her?
How?
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Just as she was puzzling over it, he bent down-and swept her off the ground in a bridal carry.
Her heart leapt into her throat. “Mr. Collins, this isn’t appropriate…”
“What’s inappropriate?” His eyes narrowed, faint amusement flickering in them. “Aren’t you two about to get divorced?”
In other words, if the marriage was ending, nothing else mattered.
Still, the moment made her pulse race.
This was Marcus.
Jackson’s Uncle Marcus.
Technically, since she was still married, she should be calling him Uncle too.
He seemed to notice her nervousness and wasted no time.
Holding her firmly, he stepped right over the railing and set her down gently on the other side.
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6:21 Fri, Sep 26
Chapter 25 Climbing the Line
She had been worried-would he really be able to carry her over?
But for Marcus, it was effortless.
He placed her down with perfect precision, her feet landing softly on the floor.
She turned to him, a trace of gratitude in her
“Thank cycs.
you, Mr. Collins.”
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He quickly pulled his hand back and nodded toward the door. “If you don’t go now, your going to knock the door off its hinges.”
Only then did she realize how hard Aiden was still pounding on the door.
Without wasting another second, she turned and rushed over.
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Behind her, Marcus watched her leave, lips curving into a quiet smile he didn’t bother to hide.
When Natalie finally opened the door, Aiden and Stella were both standing there.
“Mom, I knocked forever! Why did it take you so long to answer?”
Aiden looked up at her, a little annoyed.
Just then, the door to the room next door opened from inside.
“I drank too much last night,” Natalie said quickly. “Slept like a rock…”
She trailed off as her eyes met Marcus’s, standing behind them.
His gaze was dark and unreadable, lips tilted in a faintly amused smirk.
Stella turned at the sound behind her.
“Oh, Marcus, you’re up too,” she said warmly.
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