The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 729

He glanced at the approaching pair, his gaze turning glacial before looking away.

Chapter 729

“Lance,” Madonna murmured tightly. “Your father is here.”

Lance bowed his head slightly, his dark hair falling across his forehead. He wore a tailored black overcoat that accentuated his broad shoulders and towering frame.

Turning his face slightly toward where Carl was sitting, he said quietly, “Dad.”

Carl’s voice was frigid. “What are you doing here?”

“Jackson was my son,” Madonna countered sharply. “And Lance’s brother. Why wouldn’t we

be here?”

“Your presence only disturbs his peace,” Carl retorted, devoid of any warmth.

Madonna’s eyes flared with angry tears. She clenched her jaw. “If you miss him so much, Carl, then why haven’t you bothered to visit Jasper once since you got back? He’s Jackson’s only flesh and blood. Do you even care how he’s surviving?”

Carl took a slow pull from his bottle, squeezing his eyes shut as the alcohol burned down hi throat, numbing the edges of his grief. After a long, suffocating silence, he muttered, “I just want to be with my son right now.”

The words hung in the biting wind, making the already bleak atmosphere feel infinitely more

tragic.

Madonna’s eyes spilled over. “Lance is your son too…”

“Mom, don’t,” Lance interrupted softly.

He took a slow step forward and stood solemnly before the headstone, bowing his head. His hands fell heavily to his sides, and his voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper. “I failed you, Jackson. I’m so sorry.”

Madonna broke down, turning her back as she desperately tried to stifle her sobs.

Carl stared at Lance, a momentary fracture in his icy facade, but he quickly forced his expression back into an indifferent mask.

The cemetery wind was brutal, slicing straight to the bone.

By the time they returned to Lumina Grand, evening had fallen.

The sky remained aggressively gloomy, though the rain stubbornly refused to fall.

Carl refused to step inside. Standing on the porch, he scowled. “Bring Jasper out. I’m taking him to live at the main estate.”

“He likes it here,” Madonna snapped defensively.

14:20

“What’s wrong with the main estate?” Carl demanded, his temper flaring.

Madonna glared right back at him. “Nothing. He just prefers being here.”

She paused, her tone laced with disdain. “You reek of cheap booze. Go home and take a shower before you terrify the boy.”

Furious but out of arguments, Carl let out a cold scoff, spun on his heel, and stalked off.

‘Grandma! Uncle Lance!”

Seeing them walk through the door, Jasper lit up with joy.

Madonna managed a soft smile. ‘What did you do today, sweetie?”

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