Chapter 17 A Visit from Marcus " Bye , Uncle Marcus . " Marcus gave a small nod without savin a word . As w +20 Free Coins After the elevator doors closed , he finally turned and walked lightly toward Natalie's hospital 100111 . When she had been rushed into emergency care , an accident had broken out at the company's project site . He had only just finished dealing with it .. She had risked her life to save the children in that orphanage . Given the circumstances , it was only right that he come see her . Inside the hospital room , Lucy had stepped out to buy Natalie something to cat , leaving her alone for now . When there was a knock at the door , Natalie assumed Jackson and Aiden had come back . But when she saw the tall figure standing at the door , she froze . The man wore a sleek black suit and carried an elegantly arranged fruit basket . Natalie's fingers clenched tightly around the blanket . " Mr. Collins ... what brings you here ? " " The director wanted to come by tonight , but something came up . I'm here on behalf of the orphanage to check on you ." Marcus placed the fruit basket on the bedside table and took a seat in the chair next to her bed . " Thank you , Mr. Collins . " " Where's your friend ? " Marcus looked around the room , his gaze flicking to the empty chair where Lucy had been . " She went out to get me dinner . She should be back soon . " He didn't respond . Silence settled between them . Natalie bit her lip , then spoke . " Mr. Collins , thank you for saving me , " 1/3 6:19 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 17 A Visit from Marcus " You were unconscious . How do you remember it was me ? " Marcus leaned in slightly , a hint of curiosity in his deep - set eyes . +20 Free Coins " I remember seeing you come in ... right before the chandelier fell . You pulled me away . " She remembered him shielding her from the chandelier , but she had no idea he'd performed CPR and mouth - to - mouth after she passed out . " I really admire your courage , Ms. Foster . Out of all the women there , you were the only one brave enough to run into the fire ." Marcus leaned back in his chair , one hand resting casually over the back , his long legs crossed as he looked at her calmly . The unexpected praise made her heart skip a beat . She thought back to what Jackson had said earlier and suddenly found it laughable . No sense of her own limits . Courage . Amazing how stark the contrast could be . " Maybe it's just a mom thing . Seeing kids in danger brings out some kind of instinct , " Natalie said with a wry smile . " Besides , I wasn't the only brave one - there were security guards ... and you , Mr. Collins . " Marcus lifted his eyes and met hers . His lashes fluttered briefly . After a long pause , he finally said , " Do you realize you almost died right in front of me ? " Natalie instinctively swallowed . Every time she faced this man , his sheer presence made it impossible to stay He was just sitting there . He wasn't doing anything . " My friend told me . She said it was you who gave me first aid . Otherwise ... " Natalie trailed off for a moment , then continued . " I probably wouldn't be here . " Marcus's eyes darkened slightly . 2/3 6:19 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 17 A Visit from Marcus So she already knew . +90 Free Cont " You should consider yourself lucky it was me ," he said calmly . " I've had rescue training . 1 . know how to do CPR and mouth - to - mouth properly " Mouth - to - mouth . The words echoed in her ears , and her lashes fluttered again . She instinctively reached up and touched her lips . It wasn't the same as a kiss , but it was still lips touching lips . Still close contact . Seeing her reaction , Marcus said softly , " Don't overthink it . I only did it to save you . " " I wasn't overthinking anything . " Natalic quickly pulled her hand away . " Thank you . " Though they had only officially met during the family dinner , Natalie had heard things about Marcus before . Like the fact that he was known for being a germaphobe . And that he didn't seem interested in women . Just then , the door opened from outside . " Natalie , I'm back . " Natalie looked up to see Lucy walking in with food . As soon as she spotted Marcus , the cheerful expression on her face quickly toned down . She walked over and greeted him obediently . " Mr. Collins . " 3/3 In "A Lady Hard to Please" by CrushReels, a single mother makes a poignant return to the city she fled seven years ago. Her mission: to secure treatment for her son's leukemia, setting the stage for an emotional journey of love and resilience amidst past heartbreak. As her ex-lover reenters her life upon hearing of her return, old wounds resurface, sparking a complex web of emotions and decisions that delve deep into themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the enduring power of love. This modern romance novel stands out for its raw portrayal of familial bonds tested by adversity, offering readers a compelling exploration of human strength and vulnerability. With a captivating blend of heart-wrenching moments and tender revelations, "A Lady Hard to Please" promises a captivating read that lingers in the heart long after the final page. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a tale that transcends boundaries and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.