Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 72

72 A Brewing Storm

Victoria’s brows furrowed tightly. “Hurry it up. I can’t stand seeing her so arrogant another day!”

Zoey smirked, her tone sly. “Don’t worry, Victoria. She won’t stay arrogant for long…”

By the time Natalie reached home, night had fallen.

She glanced at her phone screen: past nine o’clock. Her gaze drifted to the secondary SIM. The phone was still in flight mode.

Ever since that day she’d shut it off in front of James, she hadn’t turned it back on. These past days she’d been too absorbed in preparing the clinic to think about her jade business.

Had Marcus called her in the meantime? She couldn’t know.

As she walked toward the gate, her finger hovered over the flight mode icon. Just as she was about to switch it off, a deep voice drifted from the shadows.

“Walking without looking? Careful you don’t fall.”

Her head shot up instinctively.

There he was—Marcus, leaning casually against a stone pillar at the Oakridge Estates entrance. A cigarette between his fingers glowed faintly in the night, smoke curling around his sharp, handsome face. Yet the expression in his eyes tonight carried a rare softness.

“Mr. Collins? What brings you here?”

He flicked ash away, then crushed the cigarette underfoot. “Came to check on the kid. Didn’t expect you’d be back so late. She’s probably already asleep?”

“You should have called first. I could’ve asked my lights out around 8:40.”

friend to let you in. But

yes,

she’s asleep-

“Friend?” His brow knit slightly. “You’ve got a friend living here too?”

“Yes, my best friend. She helps take care of Lily. You met her at the hospital once–she called me then.”

Marcus nodded thoughtfully but didn’t press further.

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Standing together at the gate like this felt awkward. Natalie cleared her throat. “Would you like

to come in for tea?”

“No need. I should head back.”

“Then take care on the road,” she said lightly.

He inclined his head. She had just turned to leave when his voice came again. “How was the opening today?”

She paused. “Everything went smoothly. Speaking of which–I really liked the flower stands. Thank you, Mr. Collins.”

“Those weren’t from me. They were from a friend.”

Her lips curved knowingly. “I’ve never even met the landlord. How could he send me flowers? Either way–thank you.”

A faint, ambiguous smile tugged at his lips. “You’re welcome.”

Under the yellow glow of the streetlamp, her smile shone bright and warm. For a moment, Marcus’s focus wavered.

Just as she was about to head inside, he added, “If the clinic needs help, contact me–or James.”

Natalie froze, warmth surging unbidden through her chest. He was offering his support openly.

She forced down the sudden flutter in her heart and answered with a smile. “All right.”

He

gave her a brief glance before slipping into his car. Only when the taillights vanished did she finally look away.

Day two of the clinic’s opening was even busier–twice as many patients. Natalie was run ragged; Atlas’s hands were red from weighing herbs.

They didn’t finish until ten at night.

Natalie bought him a late–night snack, which nearly moved the young man to tears. He praised her kindness repeatedly, cursing Jackson for being blind. Natalie laughed so hard her stomach ached.

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Day three, Natalie arrived early, only to find Atlas already working, greeting patients in his crisp white coat.

She changed and stepped into the reception area–just as a shrill voice pierced through the calm.

“Everyone, don’t come to this clinic! The doctors here are quacks! Look what they did to my son–he only had an allergy, and they treated him until he went into shock!”

Gasps rippled through the waiting area. Seven or eight patients in line turned their heads toward the entrance.

Natalic and Atlas both froze, then lifted their eyes toward the commotion.

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