Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157 A Mother’s Authority

“Am I the doctor, or are you?” Natalie’s expression hardened, her eyes turning frigid.

“You…” Victoria sputtered, choked with a sudden rage she couldn’t articulate.

“Please escort Ms. Victoria to the living room for some tea,” Natalie said, her voice cutting through the tension. “If she refuses, send her home.”

The butler, who had been waiting just outside, entered the room.

“Ms. Victoria, please come with me,” he said respectfully. “We mustn’t delay the madam’s treatment of Aiden.”

He ushered Victoria out and quickly closed the door behind him, but not before her indignant voice drifted back into the room. “What did you just call her? Madam? She already gave Jackson the divorce papers. What right does she have to that title?”

“Until Mr. Jackson says otherwise, we must address her as Madam…”

“You’re so clueless!”

Listening to them, Natalie felt a sudden, bitter amusement. So eager to become the next Mrs. Jackson?

She turned her full attention to the child, checking his pulse and preparing for the acupuncture. His digestive system was weak, likely from something he’d eaten, which was causing the diarrhea. The boy was exhausted and didn’t wake, even after the treatment was finished.

When she was done, she quietly left the room. The butler and a nanny were waiting for her outside.

Natalie handed a packet of herbs to the nanny. “Soak these for half an hour, boil for twenty minutes, then simmer on low for another ten. Let it cool until it’s warm before you give it to him. I’ve performed acupuncture, so he can’t have a bath tonight. Just let him rest.”

“Of course.” The nanny took the medicine.

“His condition has stabilized, so there shouldn’t be another emergency tonight. If there is, call me immediately. And don’t give him too many rich or greasy foods for a while—”

“Lately, Ms. Victoria has been the one cooking for Aiden,” the butler interjected.

“Why is she cooking for him?” Natalie asked, a look of confusion on her face.

“What’s the harm?” A cold smile touched Natalie’s lips. “The child has had diarrhea for days. That’s the harm. And it’s your fault.”

Victoria’s chest heaved with suppressed anger.

“Stop messing with his health. No more of this food. Being a mother isn’t as easy as it looks. And being a stepmother,” she added, her voice dripping with insinuation, “is even harder.” When they’re not your own flesh and blood, you don’t know what it is to truly worry.

Though Aiden wasn’t particularly fond of her, he was still the child she had carried for ten months. If he was unwell, how could she, his mother, simply stand by and do nothing?

A frightening anger flared in Victoria’s eyes. Her hands, at her sides, clenched into fists. “What are you trying to say, Natalie? That I’m not taking good care of him?”

“If you were, would he be sick every other day?” Natalie’s smile was thin and sharp. “He just got over a high fever, and now this. Haven’t you noticed how run–down he’s been lately?”

“What are you two arguing about?”

A deep, low voice cut through the tension from the doorway, stopping them both cold.

Natalie turned and saw Jackson standing there.