Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33 Uncle Marcus Playing Hero

“Grandpa’s condition can’t afford any delays. Every minute wasted adds to the risk. I hope you can understand my urgency,” Natalie said, her tone even, her eyes distant and cold.

The doctor hesitated, clearly uneasy. “But if something happens, I-”

“Listen to her.”

That deep, low voice cut the doctor off mid–sentence.

Natalie turned at the sound, surprised to see Marcus, silent until now, finally speak.

The doctor stiffened when he heard him, his throat bobbing nervously. “Mr. Collins.”

“Do as she says. If she says she needs fifteen minutes, then you wait fifteen minutes. When time’s up, you can examine my father. And if anything goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility.”

Natalie’s eyes shot up, disbelief flickering across her face as she stared at him.

On the surface, he’s saying it for the doctor’s sake; but in truth, he’s speaking up for me.

The doctor faltered. “But…”

“Uncle Marcus already said so–what are you still hesitating for?”

Jackson’s voice rang out, loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear. His tone was sharp, but the simmering resentment in his eyes didn’t escape Natalie’s notice.

Marcus‘ authority left the doctor no room to argue.

“In that case… I’ll wait ten more minutes.”

His earlier uncertainty hardened into resolve.

Natalie curved her lips into a cool, sharp smile.

Money really does make the rules. In the face of power, everything else becomes meaningless.

She stepped aside, lowering her gaze to her phone, silently counting down the minutes.

Eight more to go. Almost there.

Marcus stepped away mid–wait to take a call. Without realizing it, Natalie’s eyes followed him

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as he walked down the corridor.

Her mind wandered, unbidden, to recent days. It seems like our paths have been crossing more and

more…

She didn’t notice that Jackson, sitting nearby, had been watching her the whole time.

Of course, he noticed where her gaze lingered.

His hand, resting loosely on the arm of the chair, curled tightly into a fist.

Just as he started to rise, a small hand wrapped around his wrist. “Jackson.”

“What is it?”

Victoria clung to his arm. “I feel a little dizzy.”

“What’s wrong?” His face darkened, his voice tight with concern. “You were fine just now.”

“I don’t know… It just hit me out of nowhere,” Victoria murmured softly, her voice delicate and faint, enough to draw Natalie’s attention.

When Natalie turned her head, she saw Jackson’s long, slender hand gently covering Victoria’s. His voice dropped, soothing and steady. “Can you hold on a bit longer? Do you want me to take you to the doctor now?”

“No… let’s see grandpa first. I can still manage.”

“Alright.”

His hand smoothed over her back in a comforting gesture, the picture of a devoted husband and wife.

The scene didn’t escape Natalie’s eyes; nor did it go unnoticed by the doctor nearby.

The doctor glanced between the two women, then back at Natalie, suddenly uncertain which of them was the real Mrs. Collins.

Natalie turned away sharply, putting distance between herself and them.

If I can’t see it, I don’t have to deal with it. Eight minutes passed. Right on time, Natalie opened the door to the ward. The three others followed her inside.

At the end of the hall, Marcus, still on his call, glanced up and noticed the door opening.

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