Chapter 26 A House Full of Fireworks " Morning . " +20 Free Coins Marcus's voice was low and cool as he greeted her , then walked briskly toward the stairs . " Dad's not up yet ? I'm gonna be late for school . Are you taking me or is Dad taking me ? " Aiden asked , tugging on Natalie's sleeve . " Your dad's not here . He went out last night , " Natalie replied , her tone flat . " What ? " Aiden blinked . " Dad didn't sleep here last night ? " Stella opened her mouth , but before she could speak , another voice cut in . Natalie looked up - and locked eyes with Gabriel , who had appeared silently at the edge of the corridor on the third floor . He'd heard everything . Natalie's brow tensed . So Grandpa heard it all . " He had work last night , " she said calmly . " That idiot ... " Gabriel growled , his cane slamming hard against the floor . The lines on his face deepened with anger . " Has Aiden woken up yet ? " Just then , Jackson's voice echoed from downstairs . Apparently , he'd returned just in time to take Aiden to school . Natalie glanced at Gabriel and saw the old man turn sharply and storm toward the stairs , clearly fuming . 5 ) It was going to be another chaotic morning . When Natalie arrived at the dining room , Gabriel was already mid - rant . " What were you doing last night ? Why didn't you stay home ? " he snapped at Jackson . 1/3 6:25 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 26 A House Full of Fireworks Marcus sat beside the old man , quietly having his breakfast . 4 1981 +20 Free Coins Jackson offered a half - hearted explanation . " I got an urgent call for work late last night . It ran long , so I just stayed at the office ." Natalie's lips curled in a cold smile . So seeing Victoria now counted as work ? Gabriel's anger flared . His voice rose . " What work is more important than your wife ? No wonder she wants a divorce . With how you treat her , who wouldn't leave you ? " " She locked me out , " Jackson argued . " After she went upstairs , she shut the door in my face . I had work to handle anyway , so I just left ." As he spoke , he shot Natalie a sharp glare , his eyes filled with irritation . He lied so easily - without blinking . How had she never noticed what a liar he was ? " Sorry , " Natalie said flatly . " I drank too much and didn't hear you knocking ." " You expect me to believe that ? That you passed out so hard you couldn't hear anything ? You locked the door on purpose , " Jackson snapped . " Enough ." Marcus's voice cut through the tension , steady and calm . " It's early . Just eat . Don't you still have to take Aiden to school ? " With Marcus stepping in , Jackson bit back the rest of his words . He pulled out a chair to sit , but Aiden had already slung his backpack over his shoulder and was fidgeting . " Dad , I'm gonna be late ! Forget breakfast - can you just take me now ? " " Alright , I'll take you ." Jackson pushed the chair back in . Even though they were still in the family estate , and surrounded by elders , Natalie knew she still had to show up as a mother . " I'll come too , " she offered . But Aiden cut her off immediately . " No thanks . Dad can take me . " 2/3 6:25 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 26 A House Full of Fireworks 170 Ems Coles Stella grabbed a hard - boiled egg and a bottle of milk , handing them to him . " Eat these on the way . " " Thanks , Grandma . " Jackson and Aiden left . Stella and Gabriel , claiming they'd already eaten , went out for a walk in the garden . And just like that , it was only Marcus and Natalie left in the dining room . Now that everyone was gone , the atmosphere felt surprisingly awkward . " You're already here - might as well have some breakfast before you leave , " Marcus said quietly . His deep voice reached her ears , and Natalie instinctively turned to look at him . Those dark eyes - deep as a frozen lake in winter - were unreadable and calm , yet heavy with unspoken thoughts . 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.