Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156 Raising the Stakes

Answering was out of the question. Marcus didn’t know she was ‘Harley, and she wasn’t ready to give up that secret.

After a moment, Natalie declined the call and sent a quick text.

“My voice is still shot. Text me if it’s important.”

A moment later, his phone chimed. He glanced at the message, a slight frown touching his lips.

“Is something wrong, Mr. Marcus?” James asked, having just entered with a stack of documents.

Marcus looked up from the screen. After a beat, he asked, “Is this ‘Harley‘ always so fragile? Her voice has been gone for the better part of a month.”

James paused. “She didn’t answer your call again?”

“No.” Marcus tossed the phone onto the desk, his ringed finger tapping the screen. “Says her throat still hurts.”

James leaned in to look. “She never appears on camera in her videos. It’s hard to know what her health is really like.”

“Fine. You can go,” Marcus said, his voice deep.

After James left, Marcus sat in the quiet office for a few seconds before typing out a reply.

Natalie didn’t see the message until later that afternoon.

“When do you want the hairpin back? Before the show, or after?”

Her expression hardened as she read the words. His confidence told her he was certain he could get it back. But just having it returned wasn’t enough. Not anymore.

She stared at the phone, an idea taking shape. If she was going to play, she was going to play to win.

Late that afternoon, Jackson called. He was stuck in the next city over with a nasty stomach bug and needed her to check on their son. He said he’d be home late.

The memory of his hands around her throat in the stairwell was still fresh, and anger coiled in her gut. But her anger at him had nothing to do with their son. She couldn’t punish the child for the father’s sins.

She agreed to go that evening. After work, she packed some medicine and drove to Clear Estate.

When she walked into Aiden’s room, she found Victoria sitting by the bed, watching the boy. She looked up as Natalie entered, and their eyes met.

“Did Jackson call you?” Victoria asked, getting to her feet, her posture instantly defensive. “Yes.” Natalie’s gaze was cold as she looked from Victoria to the child in the bed. “Get out.” Victoria bristled. “Aiden’s sick. I’m not leaving him.”

“You’re useless here. You’ll only get in my way. I might need to perform acupuncture-‘

“What?” Victoria cut her off, her voice sharp with disbelief. “He’s a child! You can’t perform acupuncture on him! Are you insane?”