The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 195

Nathalie opened the door without a word, face blank and eyes guarded as she stared out at them. She had seen everything that happened at her front step. The anger simmered inside her, twisting with a feeling of powerlessness. Being a Blair meant that even when the police showed up, nothing would really change.

One of the officers said, “Your father’s just here to see you. No need to call the police.”

Nathalie pressed her lips together, thinking for a second before speaking. “He brought all these people with him. I thought he was here to hit me.”

Daniel slipped easily into his concerned parent act. “What are you talking about? I’m worried about you, I just want to protect you. Nathalie, don’t make a scene. Let me in. It’s been so long since we heard from you, I’ve been worried sick.”

She glanced at the officer. “I don’t want him inside.”

“Nathalie!” Daniel’s voice cut sharp through the air, his face growing cold.

This was family business and the cops couldn’t do anything for her. They left, just like she expected they would.

Nathalie moved to close the door, but one of Daniel’s bodyguards was faster, grabbing the edge and stopping her. Her expression shifted, alarm flashing in her eyes. “What do you want?” she demanded.

Daniel’s stare darkened. “You think you could hurt someone and get away with it after just one day in the station? Nathalie, you still haven’t apologized to Felice.”

Nathalie clenched her jaw. Of course it’s about Felice. When her parents came looking for her, it was always about Felice.

She felt so tired, bone deep, like the exhaustion would pull her under.

“Let’s get a paternity test,” she said.

“Still spouting nonsense!” Daniel snapped, his rage barely contained. He held out his hand toward the bodyguard. “Give me the whip.”

He was already prepared for this.

“Ungrateful girl!” Daniel’s face was ashen and twisted with rage. If she couldn’t be obedient, then he was determined to break her.

He brought the whip down again. This time her white shirt darkened quickly with streaks of blood. Her body shook uncontrollably. Even if the bodyguards let go, there was nowhere she could run.

The pain was all-consuming. Her back burned and her ears seemed to thunder. She bit down hard on her lip, swallowing the scream, refusing to let him hear her cry again.

Because the man standing in front of her, her own father, had never felt a shred of pity for her. Not once. Especially not since the day Felice joined the Blair family. From that moment, Nathalie stopped being their darling.

After three brutal lashes, Daniel’s hand started to tremble. He looked down at her pale face, completely unmoved. “Get up, go to the hospital, and apologize to Felice. Promise you’ll never go after her again and I’ll let this go.”

The bodyguards finally released her. Nathalie’s legs buckled and she collapsed onto the floorboards, her whole body racked with pain.