The Unwavering Heart That Broke novel Chapter 13

“What, you’re really going to hit me for this woman and her kid?” Nathalie stared at him, feeling a sharp ache in her chest from how cold he was being.

Last night’s tenderness felt as if it belonged to some other life.

“Insolent girl—how could you talk about Jackson’s child like that? That’s his only child. How did Lance end up marrying someone with such a nasty heart?” Leda’s voice came from across the room. Every word was dripping with judgment, making it clear she hated Nathalie’s guts.

“I must have spoiled you too much. Look at what you’ve turned into.” Lance’s gaze locked onto hers. His eyes were dark and cutting, cold as midnight, almost impossible to look away from.

“I’m freezing your cards, starting today. You’ll get nothing from me until you admit you were wrong.” With those words, he turned away, scooped Jasper into his arms, and headed deeper into the house.

Felice rushed to stop him. “Lance, don’t do this. It’s our mistake, not Nathalie’s. You’ll just end up hurting her.”

Lance didn’t even waver. “She needs to be taught a lesson.”

Felice tried to say more, but Leda cut her off. “Enough, Lance has already made up his mind. There’s no point. Just keep an eye on Jasper, that’s what matters.”

Everyone in the living room slowly sat back down, the decision made in just a handful of careless sentences. It was like the whole thing had already been settled—Nathalie was to blame.

She kept her eyes fixed on Lance. He didn’t look back, keeping his attention focused on the kid in his arms, acting as if she were invisible.

His side profile, usually so striking, seemed even sharper now, like ice. For eight years, ever since they got together, he’d always treated her gently, always going out of his way to surprise her and swearing he’d love her forever.

She’d drowned herself in that happiness, the kind that wrapped around your heart so tightly you forgot what it was to breathe without it. Now he was taking it all away, piece by piece, and she finally knew what heartbreak felt like.

Nathalie heard her voice, flat and certain. “Since you’re back, shouldn’t we go get our unfinished business settled?”

If there was no more love, then there was no point dragging this out.

Who says you can’t live after someone leaves?

He pulled the phone away to check Nathalie’s profile. All he could see was a blank line where her posts used to be.

He tried refreshing it over and over. Still nothing.

“I can’t see anything,” he said quietly.

“She literally just posted it,” Bagot stammered. “Did she maybe block you? Lance, listen... it’s great to be good to Jasper, but don’t go overboard or people will think he’s your kid with Felice.”

“If you keep running your mouth, I’ll sew it shut.” Lance’s patience had run out. “It’s bad enough she misunderstood. Why are you saying the same thing? Like I could ever be into Felice?”

Bagot laughed nervously. “Well, then make sure Nathalie knows that.”

Lance just said, “She’ll understand once she’s had time to cool off.”