“Okay.” Natalie nodded to show him she understood.
Shane led Jacqueline away. Natalie watched as they got into the car before leading the children indoors.
Shane did not return that night. Natalie called and was informed that Jacqueline was about to have
surgery for her cornea replacement and that he was going to keep her company.
Though Natalie was not happy about it at all, she agreed for him to remain in the hospital.
As Natalie was about to send the children to school the next morning, Mrs. Wilson came hurrying out
with a thermal food jar and a bag. “Madam, please could you pass this to Mr. Shane on your way
there?”
Natalie received the items and noticed some of Shane’s clothes in the bag. “I will bring it over to him,”
she promised. “We’re leaving.”
At that, she led the children out.
After dropping them off, Natalie headed for the hospital. Upon obtaining Jacqueline’s room number from
the receptionist, she had located it without much difficulty.
Natalie was about to knock when the sight of the room within through the slightly ajar door rooted her on
the spot.
Jacqueline sat up on the bed with a heavy swath of bandages around her eyes with her arms tightly
around Shane. He did not push her away but was lightly patting her on the back whilst speaking softly to
her.
Natalie’s lips trembled as her heart wrenched in pain at the sight of the scene before her.
She was able to tolerate him holding her as he helped her walk, but this embrace was too much for her.
She was not that forgiving as to allow another woman to hug her husband like that.
Natalie rapped twice on the door loudly to startle the couple within before making her entrance with a
stony expression on her face.
Shane frowned and turned to find himself face to face with his wife. His deep eyes flickered before
regaining composure. They broke apart as Shane strode over to Natalie. “What are you doing here?”
“Who is that, Shane?” Jacqueline called, with her hands on the quilt.
Natalie glared at her and answered flatly. “It’s me.”
“Ms. Smith, I see.” Jacqueline recognized her voice immediately.
Without paying Jacqueline any mind, Natalie handed over the thermal food jar and the bag of clothes to
Shane before turning on her heels to leave.
Faced with his wife’s anger, Shane reached out and grabbed hold of her arm. “Are you leaving already?”
“Why would I want to stay and interrupt your cuddle session?” Natalie jeered.
Realization dawned upon Shane. “You’ve misunderstood. It was not what it looks like.” He pinched the
spot between his brows wearily.
“That’s right, Ms. Smith,” Jacqueline added for fear of being the cause of an argument. “I almost fell off
the bed earlier but Shane had caught me just in time. There isn’t anything between us, please don’t
misunderstand.”
Natalie frowned in disbelief. She glared at Shane. “Is it true, what she said?”
Shane gave a tiny nod. “Jacqueline had just woken up from the surgery. She felt scared at not being able
to see and almost fell off the bed. I was hugging her to comfort her because she was in shock.”
It was a very unfortunate coincidence that Natalie had seen it in the worst possible light and jumped right
away to conclusion.
She was able to tell that Shane was in earnest. Her stony countenance relaxed as the knot in her heart
eased.
Natalie retracted her arm from Shane’s grasp as she turned toward Jacqueline. “Ms. Graham, how did
your surgery go?”
“Thank you for your concern, Ms. Smith. It went very well.” Jacqueline smiled with a nod.
“That’s good to hear. Have a speedy recovery, I shall take my leave now.” Natalie stroked her hair as she
took her leave.
“I’ll come with you,” Shane said suddenly.
Even Jacqueline was stunned at the proclamation.
I just got out of surgery and you’re leaving already?
“Shane, what would I do if you leave?” Jacqueline bit her lip and said in a small voice.
Natalie secretly rolled her eyes at the charade. “She’s right, Darling,” she said, to escalate the situation.
“Ms. Graham needs you to…”
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