Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29 A Place to Call Home

Chapter 29 A Place to Call Home

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Though it was her first time meeting the child, Natalie could tell from Lily’s reactions that she’d been mistreated–likely by both her father and the people around her.

Poor kid

She couldn’t help but think of herself.

When you’re weak, no one respects you. They don’t just look down on you–they spit on you, tear you apart with words, or even fists.

And it didn’t only happen to her in prison.

Natalie reached out and gently pulled Lily into her arms. “I won’t hit you. You don’t need to be afraid.”

“Okay,” Lily said firmly. “As long as you don’t hit me and give me something to eat, I’ll you.”

Natalie held her hand and walked her straight to the director’s office.

She explained everything and began the adoption paperwork.

go with

Because she was a close friend of the child’s mother and had all the necessary documentation, the process wasn’t complicated. By the afternoon, everything had been settled.

The director even had Lily washed up and dressed in new clothes, then personally walked her

out.

“Ms. Natalie, this child is very well–behaved and easy to care for. I hope you well.”

“We will. Thank you, Director.”

both get along

Natalie held Lily’s hand as they left the orphanage, glancing around to make sure no one was watching them.

Only after confirming there were no eyes on them did she let Lily into the car.

That evening, Lucy came by to welcome Lily to her new home.

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Chapter 29 A Place to Call Home

Natalie made dinner herself, unsure what Lily liked to eat, so she prepared the same dishes Aiden had always loved.

After all, kids usually liked the same kinds of things.

After dinner, they all sat on the couch chatting. The mood was light and warm.

Lily was still a little shy and somewhat withdrawn–she didn’t talk much.

But with some gentle guidance, she started to slowly open up.

Once Lily had gone to bed, Natalic and Lucy sat on the balcony with a glass of wine.

The summer breeze lifted the strands of hair at Natalie’s temples.

Just then, Lucy pulled out her phone. A message popped up, and she froze.

“Gabriel’s been hospitalized? Did you know about this?”

Natalie’s brows furrowed.

She hadn’t heard a word about it.

Lucy quickly handed her the phone. Natalie looked down.

Gabriel had experienced chest tightness the previous night and had been rushed to the hospital. His condition had stabilized, but he was still admitted for observation.

Something that serious–and not a single person in the Collins family had told her.

Marcus not telling her made sense. Their relationship wasn’t close enough for that.

But Jackson and Stella?

They hadn’t said a thing either.

It was clear–they had never truly seen her as one of their own.

“So what are you going to do?” Lucy asked gently. “Are you going to see him?”

The question broke Natalie out of her thoughts. She turned and met Lucy’s curious gaze.

Natalie was highly skilled in traditional medicine–a discipline she’d learned from her grandfather, who was not only a renowned scholar but also an exceptional doctor.

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Chapter 29 A Place to Call Home

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Since she was seven, she’d studied herbs and acupuncture under him and had developed deep expertise.

She had a decent understanding of Gabriel’s health as well.

She’d even performed acupuncture for him before.

“I’ll

go see him tomorrow,” she said quietly. “He’s the only one in the Collins family who ever treated me kindly.”

“Good. It’s the weekend, so I’m off. I’ll watch Lily for you.”

“Thanks, Lucy.”

At that same moment, in the hospital parking lot.

Marcus got into his car. From the front seat, James spoke up.

“Mr. Marcus, I spoke with the attending doctor about the old man’s condition. He says conventional treatment is the best route for now. But he also mentioned a specialist–if we can find her, she might be able to significantly improve his condition.”

“Who?”

Marcus tightened his grip on his phone and looked up toward the driver’s seat.

years

“A female doctor named Claudia. Apparently, her mentor was an incredible healer, but their name never spread through traditional medical circles. Probably because they retired ago–or maybe they’ve already passed on. But Claudia is known as their last student.”

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