The Unwavering Heart That Broke novel Chapter 14

Bagot didn’t say a word. He paused, took a slow breath, then finally spoke. “I’m sending you a screenshot of what Nathalie just posted. A lot of people in our circle have already seen it, so you’d better clear things up.”

After he hung up, a picture popped up in his chat window. Lance tapped to open it and stared at Nathalie’s post. He read her words, saw the photo she attached, and his eyebrows drew together in a sharp line. His jaw tensed, every angle of his face hardening, an icy vibe settling around him.

Felice walked over, phone in hand. “Lance, Nathalie’s got the wrong idea about us,” she said gently. “If people see this post, we’ll be the butt of every joke. I should go talk to her, try to explain.”

Lance’s head suddenly pounded. Even Felice could see Nathalie’s post, but he couldn’t. Was he… blocked? No, he couldn’t believe it—not for a second. She’d never do that. She loved him. She always had.

He set his phone aside. “Felice, look after Jasper. And don’t let what happened last night happen again. If it does, you’re not staying with him.”

Felice’s face went pale. “I understand. I just got too worked up. I thought I saw…” She hesitated. “I thought I saw my real father.”

Lance didn’t comment. He didn’t really care about her drama. Instead, he turned to Leda. “Grandma, I’m heading out.”

Leda tried to stop him. “Jasper still wants to play with you. Can’t you stay a bit longer?”

But Lance had already made up his mind. “No TV today, no toys. Jasper needs to go practice his writing.”

Leda looked surprised. “What’s that about, Lance?”

His eyes, dark and unreadable, landed on Jasper. “He’s started lying. He needs consequences.”

Leda shook her head. “He’s just a kid. He doesn’t really understand. Don’t hold him to adult standards, Lance. Don’t be like Nathalie, making a mountain out of a molehill.”

Nathalie walked slowly along the street, half-aware of her own body. Every step hurt, her knees throbbing, but she didn’t stop. Maybe pain was the lesson she needed. It reminded her exactly what kind of man she had loved for eight years.

Her phone wouldn’t stop ringing. After some time, she picked up at last, no strength left in her voice.

Daniel’s angry voice blasted through. “Nathalie, have you lost all sense of shame? ‘Finally together’? That’s your husband you’re talking about! Are you trying to drag both the Adams and Blair families through the mud?”

She heard Camilla, soft and pleading in the background. “Don’t blame our daughter, she’s hurting right now.”

“Hurting? She’s just acting out! Jackson’s gone, so what harm is there in Lance spending a little time with Jasper? Why does she have to be so petty?” Daniel snapped.

Then his tone went cold. “Take that post down, Nathalie. Delete it, or I’ll freeze your cards. I’m not letting you spiral out of control.”