Chapter 24 The Wrong Bed The room next door had always been empty . To this day , Natalie still didn't know who it belonged to . Her head throbbed . 98 $ 20 Free Coins She couldn't care anymore . Stumbling across the room , she collapsed onto the bed and lay down . Just then , she heard a phone ringing outside the door . Followed by a man's low voice . " Victoria ? You called me ? " Whatever the woman said on the other end , Natalie couldn't hear - but Jackson responded gently , coaxing her with a few soft words before saying , " Wait for me . I'll be there soon . " She heard him hurry off . A moment later , the roar of an engine echoed from downstairs . Natalie didn't bother reacting . She shut her eyes and sank into a heavy sleep . Thirty minutes later . As Marcus made his way back to his room , he ran into Jackson's mother , Stella , on the upstairs landing . " Marcus , you're here tonight too ? " she said with a cheerful smile as she climbed the stairs . " Yes ." Marcus greeted her politely , then opened his door . The lighting inside was dim , but even so , his eyes quickly caught the figure lying on the bed . Bang- He slammed the door shut . Stella , who was just passing behind him , was startled . 1/4 6:21 Fri , Sep 26 ... Chapter 24 The Wrong Bed She frowned . " What is it ? Marcus ... " 198 +20 Free Coins Marcus glanced over his shoulder and swiftly changed the subject . " Where's Stella tonight ? Not at home ? " Stella blinked in surprise . Marcus held immense sway in the Collins family - second only to Gabriel . Even she , as Jackson's mother , had always treated him with formal respect . It was rare for him to ask about her whereabouts personally . Not sensing anything odd , Stella started chatting . They stood there talking for nearly three minutes while she rambled about her day out with friends . Finally , she said , " It's getting late . I'll let you rest ." " Mm . " Once she left , Marcus reopened the door . He quickly locked it behind him and turned on the wall sconce . The warm light was faint but still managed to rouse the person in bed . Natalie stirred but didn't fully wake . She just rolled over . Marcus frowned . It was her . He nudged her shoulder . But instead of waking up , Natalie hooked an arm around his neck and pulled him close . In a split second , he was in her embrace . Her subtle scent drifted into his nose , familiar and clean . She shifted forward slightly , and her lips brushed against his cheek . Marcus's eyes widened . A soft , tingling warmth bloomed across his chest . 2/4 6:21 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 24 The Wrong Bed He had never felt that before . The air turned tense . : He quickly pulled her arm away , sat up , and stared down at her . 86 +20 Free Coins Jackson had already left the estate , but Gabriel had no idea . The old man had gone to bed with Aiden , thinking everything was fine . All the guest rooms were locked - including the one next door . If he left her here and someone found her leaving his room in the morning , there'd be no explaining it . He had thought about walking out - but the situation made that impossible . After a moment of deliberation , Marcus picked up his pajamas and headed to the bathroom . When he came out , Natalie hadn't moved an inch . No wonder she locked the door earlier - she couldn't hold her liquor at all . But how had she even gotten in here ? His eyes drifted toward the balcony . Then it clicked . Marcus let out a low chuckle and returned to the room . He grabbed a fresh blanket from the wardrobe and walked toward the couch . He made no effort to stay quiet . But even with all the noise , Natalie never woke up . The next morning . Natalie was woken by the sound of knocking next door . " Mom , Dad , wake up ! " " I'm gonna be late for school - you have to take me ! " 3/4 6:21 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 24 The Wrong Bed It was Aiden . Knocking on their door . +20 Free Coifis 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.