Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 55

hapter 55 The Goddaughter

She quickly took the phone from Gabriel, scrolled to Marcus’s number, and pressed dial before handing it back.

“Mr. Gabriel, you’re calling me?”

Moments later, Marcus’s deep, magnetic voice sounded in Natalie’s ear.

Gabriel spoke sternly. “Come back at once. There’s something very important I need to ask you.”

“I have a meeting tonight. Whatever it is, say it over the phone.”

“No, you must come back… cough, cough…”

Gabriel’s voice broke into harsh coughs, his anger already affecting his health.

Natalie immediately grew anxious. This was the worst timing for Gabriel to be upset–any flare of temper could hurt his recovery.

She spoke quickly into the line, her tone steady. “Mr. Collins, Mr. Gabriel already knows about Lily.”

Silence fell on the other end.

After a long pause, Marcus’s low voice finally came. “Alright. I’ll come back right away.”

At those words, Jackson stared at Natalie in disbelief.

Whenever Gabriel summoned his uncle, it usually took endless persuasion before Marcus would agree. But Natalie had spoken just one sentence, and he had agreed without hesitation.

After the call ended, Natalie quietly packed away her medical kit, saying nothing.

“Jackson, help me downstairs,” Gabriel ordered. “We’ll wait in the living room for him. Tonight, everyone stays for dinner–no one leaves.”

Natalie’s hand paused slightly over her instruments. That last part was clearly meant for her

ears.

Still, she guessed Marcus must already have a plan. Otherwise, he would never have so readily agreed to acknowledge Lily.

1/3

Chapter 55 The Goddaughter

In the living room, Natalic sat with Gabriel, waiting.

Half an hour later, the sound of a familiar engine rumbled at the gates.

+5 Free Coins

The echo of leather shoes against the floor grew closer until Natalic lifted her gaze, meeting the glittering eyes of the man she’d been waiting for.

For just a moment, their eyes locked. Then Marcus quickly looked away, his attention shifting to Gabriel. “Who told you this?”

Sitting at Gabriel’s side, Jackson instinctively lifted his head.

Marcus sensed his heated stare, and his own eyes grew darker. “Was it you?”

He walked over to the sofa and sat down–right beside Natalie.

Jackson’s eyes twitched at the sight. Something about the scene unsettled him deeply.

Marcus leaned back, his long, sharp eyes narrowing, gaze fixed squarely on Jackson.

He seemed to be waiting for an explanation.

“It was me,” Jackson admitted solemnly. “I heard your daughter lives in Oakridge Estates. That’s Natalie’s place, and everyone knows it. She’s often seen taking the child in and out. It’s not appropriate, so I told Grandpa.”

When Marcus didn’t respond, Jackson pressed on. “Better that Grandpa hears it from family than as gossip from outsiders. Don’t you agree, Uncle?”

Natalie shifted her gaze from Jackson to Marcus.

In the warm light, the man’s sharp profile seemed softened.

His thin lips curved, the faintest hint of a dangerous smile. “And all this over a goddaughter? Does that really warrant such fuss?”

“What?” Jackson’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Goddaughter?”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify