Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99 Careful Around That Woman

Chapter 99 Careful Around That Woman

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Marcus‘ fingertips brushed lightly against the scar on Natalie’s wrist. His gaze lingered on it, his phoenix eyes shadowed with something complicated. “I noticed this scar before. I’ve always wanted to ask, how did you get it?”

Following his eyes, Natalic instinctively lowered her gaze.

The moment she saw the mark on her wrist, she wanted to yank her hand back.

It was from scalding water–so hot it had split her skin open instantly. For a long time afterward, she often dreamt of boiling water spilling across her flesh; every time she woke, her forehead was slick with sweat. That kind of agony was something she never wanted to endure again.

“It’s in the past. I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t like dwelling on what’s behind me; I only focus on the present and the future.”

She struggled hard, trying to pull her hand free from his grip.

But he only tightened his hold, refusing to let her escape.

“Mr. Collins-

She didn’t get to finish. His deep voice cut her off. “After everything you went through in there, you must have suffered. How did you keep going?”

“When hatred builds up enough, you find a way to endure.”

She lifted her eyes to his, speaking each word with weight.

Their gazes locked, his expression unreadable, complicated.

His voice dropped lower, gentler. “What really happened back then? Why did they send you to prison?”

The question pulled at the buried parts of her; pain surged back, dragging her into the memories she least wanted to face.

Marcus could feel it–her whole aura plummeted.

“If you’re that curious,” she said hoarsely, “then investigate it yourself.”

“I know that wasn’t the truth.”

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18:36 Wed, Oct 1

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Chapter 99 Careful Around That Woman

His words were quiet, but heavier than before.

Natalie’s eyes snapped up in shock, staring at him.

But he released her hand, leaned back against the seat, and looked forward.

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After a pause, he spoke again. “I think you were wronged–just like with the clinic this time. You were framed, weren’t you?”

Framed. The word struck her like a blade, her fingers clenched involuntarily against her sides.

Hatred roared through her chest, vast and uncontainable; for a moment, it felt like it might swallow her whole.

“Even if you won’t say it, I can piece enough together. But if you don’t want to talk, I won’t press further.” His tone softened to something deceptively casual. “Just… be careful when you’re around that woman again.”

The words fell gently into her ears, yet they landed deep. For the first time in years, someone beyond Lucy and Gabriel seemed to believe she’d been wronged.

And that someone was Marcus.

“Thank you for the warning, Mr. Collins. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go.”

She gave him a small nod, reached instinctively for the door handle.

“Mr. Gabriel’s health hasn’t been good,” Marcus said suddenly, his voice low behind her. “My older brother even went to see someone for advice. They said he’d run into serious misfortune this year and needed a big birthday celebration to ward it off. So my nephew’s father decided to throw a lavish banquet.”

Natalie turned back at his words. “Jackson never mentioned this to me.”

“That’s why I came. I want you there. You must attend.”

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