Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 28

hapter 28 A Child’s Silent Wounds

“Okay.”

As soon as Natalic hung up, a WhatsApp message popped up with a pinned location.

It also included the orphanage director’s phone number.

Before heading out, Natalie called the director to confirm the child’s information.

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Once she confirmed the girl was indeed there, she wasted no time. She gathered the necessary documents and headed downstairs, hailing a cab to the orphanage.

By the time she arrived, it was nearly eleven o’clock.

The security guard, unfamiliar with her face, immediately blocked her at the entrance. “Ma’am, what brings you here? Do you have an appointment?”

This orphanage was far stricter than the others she had visited before.

Natalie showed the guard her call log with the director and clearly stated the child’s full name.

After confirming with the director, the guard finally let her in.

Natalie had assumed that with such tight management, the institution would also provide a nurturing environment for the children.

But the moment she stepped inside, she saw Lily being bullied.

She had just climbed the stairs when she heard a child’s desperate cries from above. “Stop hitting me! If you don’t stop, I’ll tell the director-”

“Oh, you’re gonna tell the director? Go ahead, tell her!”

“Ow! That hurts…‘

Natalie raced up the steps and saw several older girls ganging up on a much smaller one.

There were no adults nearby. The girls, feeling unchecked, were merciless–kicking and hitting the younger child without restraint.

The little girl wore a pink dress, her hair tied into two pigtails. Her clothes were smeared with

dirt.

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6:33 Fri, Sep 26…

Chapter 28 A Child’s Silent Wounds

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She had her face buried in her knees, arms wrapped tightly around her head to shield herself

At first, Natalie couldn’t even see her face clearly.

“Hey! What are you doing?! Stop that right now!”

Natalie rushed forward and pulled the older girls away.

Seeing an adult arrive, the bullies quickly scattered and fled.

The small girl must have recognized her voice. She slowly looked up.

The moment Natalie saw her face, she froze.

It was Lily.

Cindy had shown her photos of the child while they were in prison. Lily was beautiful–her features had left a lasting impression.

Seeing the face that so closely resembled Cindy’s, Natalie knew instantly–this was her.

“Lily? You’re Lily, right?”

The girl blinked at her, startled by the gentle tone. The panic in her eyes softened, replaced by confusion.

“Ma’am, who are you? How do you know my name?”

“I’m a friend of your mom’s. I came here today to take you with me. Would you like to come with me?”

“Are you really my mom’s friend? How is she? Is she doing okay in prison? I miss her so much…”

Hearing that, Natalie’s heart clenched.

Lily knew her mother was in prison.

Natalie hadn’t expected that.

She had prepared to cover up the truth, assuming Lily had been kept in the dark about Cindy’s arrest. It must have been the child’s father who told her.

“Your mom is doing fine. She left you in my care. From now on, you’ll live with me, okay? I’ll treat you like my own daughter.”

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