Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 98

hapter 98 Cindy’s Time Runs Out

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Chapter 98 Cindy’s Time Runs Out

Marcus‘ face was dark, unreadable; no joy, no sorrow.

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When they arrived home, Natalie immediately noticed how unsettled Lily was. To care for her, she didn’t return to the medical clinic that day.

The next morning, Lily refused to go to school; Natalie handed all her clinic work over to Atlas and stayed by the child’s side, hardly leaving her for a moment.

Today was the day Cindy’s sentence would be carried out. No one had told Lily directly, but Natalie could feel it–somehow, the child knew. She’d been gloomy all day, restless and distracted.

To ease her anxiety, Natalie took her out for a walk, bought her all kinds of treats.

Maybe exhaustion finally caught up with her; by evening, she was fast asleep.

That was when Natalie’s phone buzzed in her pocket.

Seeing the caller ID, her brows pinched together.

It was Marcus.

Closing the bedroom door, she answered softly, “Mr. Collins, did you need something?”

“I’m outside. Come out for a minute.”

Instinctively, her gaze flicked toward the front door.

She gave a quiet reply, then walked out.

The moment she opened the door, she saw the familiar Maybach parked at the foot of the steps. Not far away, he stood smoking, phone still in hand.

Natalie walked over, opened the door, and slipped into the back seat.

Marcus sat there in a black suit, his presence sharp and commanding, the kind of aura that only came from long–standing power.

Natalie turned her head toward him. “Mr. Collins, how did you know I was home?”

“I stopped by your clinic. Atlas said you hadn’t come in today, so I guessed you were home with Lily.” His voice was low, deeper than usual. “How is she? Is she alright?”

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18:36 Wed, Oct 1

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Chapter 98 Cindy’s Time Runs Out

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“Not very,” Natalie spoke plainly. “I kept her out with me all day, but she couldn’t settle down. She finally fell asleep after we got home.”

Marcus‘ tone sank further. “Cindy was gone this afternoon. Three o’clock.”

Her hand, still holding the phone, trembled slightly.

Her lashes fluttered, and her chest hollowed out with a strange emptiness.

She’d known this day would come, but hearing the exact time–she couldn’t help but replay it

in her mind, wondering what she’d been doing with Lily at that moment.

“It was inevitable. No matter what, you’ll have to learn to accept it. Both of you will.”

His low voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Natalie turned her head toward him, meeting the dark shimmer of his phoenix eyes.

“I’m fine,” she said quietly. “It’s the child I’m worried about.”

“Is that so?” His expression didn’t shift. “Because it seems to me… you’re not fine either.”

Her lashes trembled harder under his gaze.

After a long pause, she whispered, “Maybe it’s just going back to the prison after having left. It stirs up memories.”

“I remember once, when I went to see Cindy, passing the cell blocks. I saw a woman surrounded, beaten by several inmates. Her build looked a lot like yours.”

His words landed heavy. Natalie instinctively lowered her eyes,

The scene rushed back to her mind.

It had been her.

She remembered peering through the crook of her arm, glimpsing him walking past.

It was only because she saw him that the blows raining down felt somehow lighter–because in that moment, all her focus had shifted to him.

“Tell me… could that woman have been you?”

Marcus leaned closer, his voice edged with testing curiosity.

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Chapter 98 Cindy’s Time Runs Out

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Natalie’s face betrayed a flash of panic, disarray tightening her features–there and gone again as she quickly smoothed her expression.

She curved her lips into a faint smile. “It must’ve been someone else. I rarely had conflicts in prison.”

“But I’ve heard enough to know, in a place like that, even if you don’t provoke anyone, someone will come after you.” Marcus‘ gaze bore into hers. “A woman as delicate as Ms. Foster… how could you possibly have gotten through unscathed?”

“I may look delicate,” she said firmly, eyes bright, “but I’m not the kind of woman anyone can push around.”

Her voice carried unshakable conviction.

Marcus‘ hand moved before he could stop himself; he reached out, grabbed her wrist, and lifted it.

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