Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66 Drawing Lines

Chapter 66 Drawing Lines

“Natalie, you won’t even look at your own son, yet you’re raising someone else’s child. Don’t

you

think that’s ridiculous?”

Her lips curved in a mocking smile. “No wonder you and Victoria can walk side by side. You even talk alike.”

“Isn’t it the truth?”

Natalie had no patience left for him. Her tone was cool. “If you’ve nothing else to say, stop coming here to bother me. There’s nothing left between us.”

“Stay away from my uncle. Hand the child back to him. You’re not allowed to keep her with you.”

Jackson’s voice carried a chilling weight as his gaze fell on Lily.

The girl happened to look up, only to shrink under the sharpness of his stare. She ducked her head and pressed closer to Natalie, her small hand gripping hers with desperate force.

Natalie felt it instantly–the child’s tension, her fear. She drew Lily behind her protectively, her voice ringing with anger. “Jackson, I’m divorcing you. Who I look after is none of your concern. If you mind so much, send Aiden to me—I’ll raise him too. Can you bear that?”

His face tightened, hard and silent. Of course he couldn’t.

Though there was no love between them, Aiden was his only child. He would never hand him

over.

“Since you won’t,” Natalie said icily, “then what right do you have to criticize me?”

“I just think it’s inappropriate for you to be raising my uncle’s child!”

“It’s only a goddaughter, not a real daughter. What exactly are you so concerned about?”

“I’m not concerned. I just don’t want tongues wagging. And Grandpa believes this is temporary. But from the look of things, you mean to keep her long term.”

Her eyes

chilled.

If he discovered the truth–that she had adopted Lily–he would stir up trouble. She couldn’t allow him to know. Not now, not after all the work she and Marcus had done to cover it.

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Chapter 66 Drawing Lines

“Instead of lecturing me, why don’t you go ask your uncle directly?”

“What do you mean?” His brow furrowed. “Are you saying he insisted on leaving her with you?”

Natalie’s tone was calm, steady. “Lily has no parents. And Mr. Collins is too busy to care for a child. Do you really think he has the time?”

“He has a house full of maids. Can’t they manage one child?”

“I’ve said all I need to. If you’re so curious, go ask your uncle yourself.” She tugged Lily toward the door. “I’ve other matters. I won’t waste more time.”

Without waiting for a response, she pulled Lily inside.

Jackson stood there, his gaze dark as ink, watching her back disappear into the house.

Ask his uncle? For something like this?

He doubted Marcus would even entertain the question.

:

Natalie entered to find Lucy lounging on the sofa.

“You’re back?”

“Yes, Ms. Lucy!”

Lily darted forward, hugging Lucy’s arm, her face soft with a rare smile.

Natalie led her off to bathe. When they returned, Lucy was still seated, scrolling on her phone.

Natalie sat beside her. “It’s late. Why aren’t you resting?”

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