Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9 A Little Cat Under the Desk

Apologize.

The word echoed in Natalie’s cars, and her hands, resting in front of her, clenched instinctively.

She lifted her eyes to Marcus’s face.

The harsh lines of his jaw were softened by the warm, dim lighting.

He curled his lips slightly but didn’t say a word.

The family dinner had, indeed, been arranged to welcome him back–and it had, indeed, ended in disaster.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Marcus…” Jackson’s brow furrowed briefly. “It was my fault for not stopping her. I shouldn’t have let her ruin the dinner like that. It’s rare for the whole family to be together–we don’t know when we’ll have another chance like this.”

Marcus lifted his gaze and cast a cold glance at him.

It was a long moment before he finally spoke. “If I remember correctly, Ms. Foster said she didn’t do it. I suggest you look into it more thoroughly. Don’t let your frustration lead to the wrong person being blamed.”

Natalie looked up in disbelief.

But Marcus continued to stare ahead, never once glancing down at her.

Even he was willing to believe her.

Yet the husband and son she had spent years with still chose to protect that so–called white moonlight…

Marcus’s words clearly took Jackson aback.

If he wasn’t mistaken….

This was the second time tonight Uncle Marcus had defended that woman.

“Uncle Marcus, that’s because you don’t know what kind of person she really is. Three years ago, she framed Victoria–that’s why she went to prison. And now she’s even turned on her own child. In a situation like this, what more is there to investigate? It’s obvious she did it!”

Natalie’s hands tightened unconsciously in front of her.

Her nails nearly pierced her palms from the pressure. The pain was sharp and cold.

Marcus gave a faint, cold smile. “Is that so?”

“Yes! Uncle Marcus…” Aiden chimed in from the side, his little mouth pouting. “Mommy really did frame Ms. Victoria. Ms. Victoria is so nice–I don’t know why Mommy would do something like that.”

“Because she’s jealous, of course. That woman has always been petty and spiteful. Even after three years in prison, she hasn’t changed a bit. She came out and turned on her own child. She doesn’t deserve to be a mother…”

Jackson’s voice rose with his anger.

Though he spoke as if casually venting to Marcus, every word was laced with slander against her.

Under the desk. Natalie felt her blood boil.

Before, hearing words like these would have made her cry in despair.

But now, all she felt was rage. Nothing else.

So this was what it meant when people said your heart could go so cold, even heartbreak couldn’t reach it anymore.

Natalie slowly loosened her fists.

Maybe it was the anger, or just a slip of her body, but she moved slightly without realizing it.

The space under the desk was already cramped. When she shifted, her elbow accidentally knocked against the wood.

A dull thud broke the tense silence in the room.

“What was that?” Jackson’s grip on his son’s hand tightened. “Uncle Marcus, I think it came from under your desk.”

Marcus lowered his gaze and looked under the table, his expression calm.

Natalie happened to glance up just then and met his eyes.

In just two seconds, she quickly ducked her head again, pulling her hands back, afraid to move a muscle.

1. up. “Uncle Marcus, you have a cat?”

Aiden asked tentatively, “Can I see her next time?”

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