When She Rose From the Ashes

Chapter 20 The Breaking Point

Phantom did het best to come off as someone desperate for money.

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Jensen thought of Natalie’s personality and how furious she’d be once she woke up and learned she could never hold a pen again. He knew he wasn’t the right person to be around her now. Having someone else take care of her would probably be for the best.

“Fine. I’ll pay you triple. Just take good care of her.”

Phantom quickly agreed.

Natalie was pushed into her room.

She woke up from the pain.

Staring at the stark white ceiling, the sharp throb in her fingers brought all the memories flooding back.

“How’s my hand? Can I still draw? Can I still hold a pen?”

Natalie sat up with a jolt, grabbing Phantom’s arm with her left hand, panic all over her face.

Phantom looked at her but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Just then, Jensen walked in.

The look in Natalie’s eyes turned ice–cold the moment she saw him.

She still remembered Clark saying it was Jensen who had her right hand broken for Sharon’s sake.

How could he be so cruel?

Even if he wanted to protect his crush, she had never tried to compete. She had let go. All she wanted was to reclaim what had been rightfully hers–what was wrong with that?

Tears welled up in Natalie’s eyes, though even she couldn’t tell whether it was from pain or rage.

“Get out! Get the hell out!”

She grabbed the pillow beside her and threw it at him.

in holding pigeon soup, startled by her

to Phantom, then stepped forward and pulled Natalie

listen to me. Your hand… it doesn’t matter. I’ll take care of you. I promise, whatever kind of life you had before, I’ll give you better from now on.

only made Natalie

But why–why did you have to ruin my hand for her? You knew what

1/3

7.32 pm P

The

to take

words hit

voice low and filled

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you want to hit me, curse me, go ahead. Just don’t hurt yourself. I mean it, Natalie–I‘ take care of you for the rest of

“I don’t need it!”

she struggled, she

to love how clean and fresh he smelled. But now she realized it was Sharon’s perfume clinging

him.

wasn’t the boy

Natalie suddenly went quiet.

Her voice was cold.

Sharon. She needs to pay

“No!”

her all of

the cold hatred in her eyes,

felt like something was slipping away from him, something he couldn’t hold onto no matter how

he tried.

uninjured arm, voice

you can’t report Sharon.

with her? Did I give her

Natalie wasn’t having it.

she was and knew that nothing he said

take care of you. I don’t care that you lost your hand. But I can’t let you press charges against Sharon. You know how it is–in Ocean City, if I say no, no one will take

“I hate you, Jensen!”

nearly ground her teeth