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 . 37 Finished 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 . She frowned . " What is it ? Marcus ... " 1/4 19:35 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 24 The Wrong Bed 37 Finished 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 . He had never felt that before . The air turned tense . 19:35 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 24 The Wrong Bed : He quickly pulled her arm away , sat up , and stared down at her . 37 Finished 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 ! " It was Aiden . Knocking on their door . 2/1