Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 7

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Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table

Gabriel let out a faint snort but didn’t say a word..

Everyone in the Collins family knew how he felt–he’d never liked women in the entertainment industry, and he was firmly against Jackson’s relationship with Victoria.

So the fact that Jackson had the nerve to bring her to a family dinner? Gabriel wasn’t about to pretend he was okay with it.

As Aiden’s condition got worse, Stella quietly led him over to the sofa.

Jackson stepped up to defend Victoria, completely on her side. “Grandpa, Victoria would never do something like this. It had to be Natalie. Just like three years ago–she tried to frame Victoria then too!”

His voice was cold, and there was a sharp edge in his eyes.

But Natalie? She f nothing.

Right now, it seemed like Gabriel was the only one in this family who still believed in her.

“Ms. Foster, even if you hate me, dragging a child into this… that’s going too far-

Smack-

Before Victoria could finish, Natalie raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Everyone froze in shock.

Natalie had always been calm and composed–the kind of woman who swallowed her pain and never said a word..

No one had ever seen her snap like this.

“I didn’t do it, and I won’t let anyone pin it on me. I kept quiet once, but if you keep pushing me, I won’t just sit back anymore.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried. Strong and unshakable.

At the head of the table, Marcus’s eyes lifted slightly.

His fingers tapped the table, then paused. The corners of his mouth twitched into a faint smile. Now that was interesting.

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6:17 Fri, Sep 26

Chapter 7 Divorce Papers on the Table

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“Natalie! Are you out of your mind?” Jackson rushed over and pulled Victoria behind him, glaring at Natalie like she’d lost it. “Three years in prison and you’ve learned nothing! You’re completely out of control.”

Just then, the family doctor arrived. Stella took Aiden upstairs with her without saying a word.

Natalie didn’t respond to Jackson. She was about to go check on Aiden and then quietly leave.

But she didn’t expect him to grab her wrist from behind. “Natalie, you’re not going anywhere until we settle this.”

“Oh, you want to settle it?” Natalie yanked her arm free, her eyes icy cold. “Fine. I want a divorce. Is that clear enough for you?”

The room went completely still.

Everyone turned to stare at her–including Jackson.

No one had expected her to say that. Not tonight. Not at a family dinner.

She really knew how to make a scene. She hadn’t changed at all.

Marcus, who’d been quietly watching from the sidelines, finally let his gaze settle on her.

He finally saw her in a new light.

She wore a long

“hite dress, simple and elegant, which made her look even more delicate. Her pretty face was usually pale, the kind of pale you get from not eating right for too long–but now, anger had brought a flush of color to her cheeks.

He hadn’t expected such power from someone so fragile–looking.

She didn’t hesitate. Didn’t back down. Every move she made was sharp, clean, and decisive.

And for the first time tonight–she had his full attention.

Still… every time he looked at her face, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d seen her somewhere before.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember where he’d seen her before.

“Natalic, can’t you at least pick the right time and place to throw a tantrum?” Jackson snapped. “If you’ve got something to say, say it in private. Don’t drag our personal business into a family dinner. Aren’t you even a little embarrassed?”