Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 39

hapter 39 Not About Your Kid

James gave a quick nod. “Understood, Mr. Collins.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Marcus‘ phone started ringing.

He lowered his gaze to glance at the screen–it was Ruben, his closest friend.

He brought the phone to his car. “What is it?”

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“Your old tea house–someone just offered a hundred and twenty thousand a month for it,” Ruben said. “I know a hundred and twenty grand is nothing to you, but it’s just sitting there empty. You really don’t want to rent it out? I mean, that place—”

aken.”

Marcus‘ response was concise and sharp.

“Taken? Since when? I just talked to James yesterday, and he said it was still available!”

Ruben’s voice on the other end was full of disbelief.

“Just now,” Marcus said flatly.

“Just now? Then how much did you rent it for? Don’t tell me you got taken advantage of. That location easily starts at a hundred grand-”

“Five thousand.”

There was a sharp intake of breath. “What? Marcus, are you out of your mind? Sure, you’ve never been attached to that property, but that was the first asset we bought together! You can’t just give it away like it’s nothing.”

“I’ll have James deliver the contract tonight.”

Before Ruben could say another word, Marcus ended the call.

The call hadn’t been on speaker, but the volume from the earpiece wasn’t exactly low. They’d been stopped at a red light, so James had heard every word.

And he couldn’t, for the life of him, understand why Mr. Collins was doing this.

By the time Natalie arrived at the school gates, a teacher was already waiting for her.

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10:57 Sat, Sep 27

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Chapter 39 Not About Your Kid

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She’d toured three schools recently; of them, Starfold Academy had the best reputation. With summer break right around the corner, she needed to finalize Lily’s admission before the term ended, so Lily could spend a couple of weeks easing into the new environment.

As Natalie stepped out of the school, a voice called out behind her.

“Natalic, what are you doing here?”

She froze for a moment, then turned around–meeting a pair of deep, penetrating eyes.

Her body stiffened.

It was Jackson.

He strode forward, stopping in front of her. “The teacher called you too? To attend Aiden’s parent–teacher conference?”

So that was why he was here. No wonder Victoria had time to parade Aiden around today.

“No,” Natalie said coolly. “I’m here for something else.”

“This is a school. Aiden’s school. What business could you possibly have here if it’s not about him?” Jackson’s gaze darkened. “You’re not… sneaking around behind my back, are you? Plotting something?”

His hand shot out, clamping around her arm.

Pain lanced through her skin and up her shoulder, making her brows knit tightly.

“Let go.”

Her voice was ice, her eyes as cold as steel.

“What? Is my entire life supposed to revolve around you and your son? Am I not allowed to have my own private matters? Just because I’m at Aiden’s school, it has to be about him?”

Jackson’s gaze lowered, locking with hers.

And in her eyes–once warm, once filled with devotion–there was only a frozen detachment now, colder than a stranger’s.

The words still hanging between them, Natalie wrenched her arm free with all her strength.

She turned to leave, but Jackson stepped forward quickly, blocking her path.

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10:57 Sat, Sep 27

Chapter 39 Not About Your Kid

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