Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174 A Direct Question

It was clearly a high–end piece.

Natalie quickly closed the box.

“Do you have to be everywhere?” Lucy said, stepping in front of Natalie to block Atlas from view, her expression one of clear annoyance.

Atlas frowned. “Lucy, we’re both Bennetts. What makes you so special?”

“What are you talking about?” Lucy asked, confused. “How am I special?”

“You’re especially nosy,” he shot back, a faint, teasing smile on his lips.

Lucy rolled her eyes. “You’re not just nosy, you’re a gossip. You have to stick your head in and see everything. What if Natalie was changing in here?”

“I have no such interests! Don’t slander me!” Atlas cut her off.

“Alright,” Natalie said, her tone serious. “Atlas, I have to go out of town tomorrow. I’ll probably be back in two days. Can you handle the clinic on your own?”

“Of course!” When it came to work, Atlas was all business. “A man can’t say no.”

“Oh, please,” Lucy said with a haughty sniff. “You’re just a pretty–boy kid. What kind of man are you? Someone like Marcus, now that’s a real man.”

“I’ll admit he’s a charismatic guy, but we’re not even in the same category…”

“You’re right. There’s no comparison.”

Listening to their bickering, Natalie couldn’t help but smile.

Just then, her phone rang. She glanced down at the screen and froze. The name ‘Marcus‘ was displayed in large letters.

Speak of the devil.

She answered the call, and his deep voice came through the line. “Come outside.”

Before she could reply, he hung up.

Whoever gets to be his wife and child will be very happy, won’t they?

He leaned closer, his hand coming to rest on her waist. Her heart leaped into her throat. She turned to face him, her expression tense. “What about me?”

He looked down at her, his voice a soft, intimate murmur. “Have you ever thought about what you want to be to me?”

Her mind was in turmoil, a chaotic swirl of emotions she couldn’t name. After a few moments, she finally managed to answer, her voice carefully neutral. “You’re joking. I’ve always been your nephew’s wife. What else could I be to you?”

“As long as you want it, any relationship you want is possible.”

He wasn’t going to let her off the hook. He was waiting for her to be the one to cross the line.

But she knew that was impossible. At least, for now.

“I have something important to do tomorrow, and I have to leave early. I should take Lily home now.” She reached for the box of pastries. “You should get going, too.”

His hand, which had been at her waist, fell away as she moved, but he caught her wrist.

She turned back and met his dark, intense gaze.