The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 270

Nathalie pressed her lips together, a tired crease forming on her brow. She was exhausted. Arguing right now just wasn’t worth it.

Without a word, she headed to the bathroom and washed up. When she came out, she flopped onto the small cot, her mind racing in a jumble. Who would go so far as to kidnap her? No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make sense of it.

***

The next morning, sunlight sneaked in through the curtains, and Nathalie slowly opened her eyes. Lance was still sitting in the chair from the night before.

His shirt was rumpled and his face looked drawn, shadows beneath his eyes making him look even more tired.

Adelaide had woken up, too. She gave Lance a surprised look. “Did you stay there all night, Lance?”

He shook his head. “No, I didn’t sit long. Just checking in.”

Adelaide raised her brows, not entirely convinced.

Lance offered her an easy smile. “How do you feel today, Grandma?”

Adelaide relaxed a little. “A bit better, thank you.”

Lance glanced at Nathalie. “I had breakfast sent up. After we eat, I’ll go to the office with you.”

Nathalie didn’t even acknowledge him. Instead, she went over to chat quietly with Adelaide. Adelaide watched the tension between them, but didn’t say much. She’d seen enough to know when to keep quiet.

After breakfast, Camilla showed up.

Nathalie’s expression tightened. She didn’t exactly want Camilla there, but since her grandmother agreed, she let it slide and kept any complaints to herself.

When they walked outside the hospital, Nathalie stopped and asked, “When are you doing what you promised last night?”

Lance pushed his fingers into his temples and let out a slow breath. “They’ll pull the investment today.”

She shot him a quick sideways glance.

Well, at least he was making it easy this time.

The car had pulled up along the curb. Lance opened the door for her. “Get in.”

She shook her head, her voice cool. “No, I’ll grab a taxi.”

Without hesitation, Lance gently caught her wrist. “Nathalie, after everything that happened last night, I just can’t let you go alone.”

Lance watched them disappear together through the hospital doors. His jaw tightened and a dull ache pulsed at his temples.

His entire face darkened, but instead of following them, he ducked into his car and pulled the door closed.

He hit Aaron’s number, waiting impatiently for him to answer. “Got any news about what happened last night?”

Aaron sounded uneasy. “Lance, we found some trace evidence. Whoever did it is a man. He’s skilled, though. There aren’t many clues. Right now... we’ve got nothing on his identity.”

Lance’s eyes slipped closed as he let out a frustrated breath, then ended the call without another word.

He sat, thinking it over for a long time before picking up the phone again and dialing a number he hadn’t used in years.

“I need one of your people,” he said, keeping his tone flat.

“Oh? For what?” The reply came back lazy and amused.

“Protect my wife. And find out who tried to kidnap her. Name your price.”

A laugh echoed through the line. “Wow, you really mean business this time. Funny, though. Last I heard, your wife’s the one trying to get rid of you.”