Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Peck On The Cheek

At the Harper residence in Bayford City.

Julia was still fuming after her conversation with Justin.

James, who had just come downstairs for breakfast, noticed his mother fuming. “What’s got you so angry, Mother?” He settled onto the sofa and picking up the newspaper from the table.

“Your precious son, who else?” Julia snapped.

James flipped through the pages. “Isn’t he your precious grandson instead?”

“Both you and your son are infuriating.” She muttered and picked up her cellphone, only to notice something in it. She glanced at her son and then moved closer to him, holding up the phone. “James, have you seen this?”

What is it?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

She showed him a video she had downloaded. It was footage of Natalie confidently addressing reporters. “Doesn’t she remind you of someone?” Julia asked, her gaze ready to notice his reaction.

James’s expression tightened as he watched the video. James was not oblivious to what was happening even in another city. Particularly this young woman, who looked very similar to the woman, who he once loved and knew she was her daughter.

He frowned and averted his gaze. “Mother, you should stop concerning yourself with irrelevant people.”

“Irrelevant? She is not irrelevant to me at all,” Julia retorted sharply. “You may have had issues with Caryn, but I never did. I always loved her, and I wish this girl were my granddaughter instead,” and thought, ‘She is your own daughter you brat. Can’t you feel it. What kind of a father are you?’

“I would never have a child with a woman like her,” James voice cold and devoid of any emotions. “Involvement with her was a mistake.”

Julia’s eyes narrowed at him, as if calling him a liar. “Really? Then why didn’t you ever marry?”

“Because she made me realize that the wrong woman can be the biggest mistake of one’s life, and I didn’t want to repeat it.”

“Or is it that you just can’t forget Caryn and can never allow any other woman to take her place in your heart?” Julia shot back, turning the atmosphere tense.

James angrily tossed the newspaper aside and stood up, “I’m heading to the office.”

“What about breakfast?”

“I’m not hungry,” he replied, storming out of the drawing room. He could hear his mother’s voice echoing behind him, “Are you still a child to take your anger out on a meal, you brat?”

James ignored her and left. ‘Caryn?’ He didn’t wish to hear her name and have anything to with her or people related to her.

Julia sighed, sinking back into the sofa, feeling helpless. ‘I wonder what he’s going to do when he finds out Natalie really is his daughter.’

“Paul?” Julia called out, and the butler immediately appeared at her side. “Book the earliest flight to Imperial City for me, and reserve a room in the same hotel as Justin.”

The butler nodded and left to carry the order.

Julia sat back, her resolve firming. “You father and son always do what you think is right, so now I’m going to do what I want,” she mumbled to herself. “I may be old, but not helpless.”

—-

At Natalie’s residence, Justin emerged from the bedroom, dressed in ordinary formal clothes, a bag in hand. As soon as Natalie saw him, she greeted him with a pleasant smile, standing by the dining table.

“Have a seat,” she offered, pulling out a chair. “Breakfast is still warm.”

“I’m not hungry,” Justin headed straight for the door.

Natalie quickly held his hand to stop him, “Grandpa is in his room freshening up. He’d be upset if he sees you are gone and thinks we were still fighting.”

Justin glanced down at where she held his hand, remembering how just the night before she treated him like a plague. Now, she was acting as though she couldn’t bear to be apart from him.

“Ah, what’s in your bag? Clothes?” she asked, quickly realizing he was taking them to the hotel for laundry service. Without waiting for his response, she snatched the bag from him. “Grandpa should see your clothes drying here, or he’ll get suspicious,” she added with an awkward smile. “I know you’re not used to washing clothes. I’ll do it. Don’t worry.”

Before Justin could respond, Albert emerged from his room, and Natalie immediately switched gears. She held Justin’s hand again, this time more firmly. “My dear husband, please enjoy your breakfast.”

Justin sighed inwardly and reluctantly sat down, his gaze falling on the breakfast she had prepared. Just one glance was enough to tell it was delicious. ‘Though this woman is nothing but an annoyance, she certainly knows how to cook.’

“Seems like you two made up, huh?” Albert’s cheerful voice filled the room as he approached.

Natalie quickly moved to stand behind Justin, placing her hands on his shoulders. “How could I stay upset with my handsome husband for long, Grandpa? I can always forgive him for his good looks.”

She could feel his perfectly toned shoulder muscles under her palms. ‘This man is god gifted. Let me take a little advantage.’

Seeing Natalie smiling and cheerful, Albert hummed in delight. “He is indeed a handsome young man. I’m sure my great-grandchild will be as handsome as him if it’s a boy, and as beautiful as you if it’s a girl.”

“Of course, Grandpa,” Natalie replied with a bright smile.

“If you’re done admiring my strong shoulders, you can serve your grandpa his meal,” Justin’s straight remark hit where it should.

Natalie immediately pulled her hands back, her expression one of someone caught red-handed. She quickly turned her attention to serving Albert, avoiding Justin’s gaze as a light blush crept over her cheeks.

Albert chuckled, clearly amused. “It seems my granddaughter is truly smitten with you, Aiden. I suppose you won’t be sleeping outside the bedroom tonight.”

Justin remained silent, while Natalie, ever quick on her feet, responded, “Of course not, Grandpa. Tonight, he’ll be in our room.”

Justin glanced at her, catching the pleading look in her eyes, silently begging him to go along with her act.

In response, he simply lowered his head and continued eating, leaving her confused.

After breakfast, Justin was ready to leave. With Albert watching, Natalie had to maintain the façade of a loving wife. She walked with him to the door, her heart racing as she prepared to sell the act. “Don’t be late, alright? I’ll be waiting for you,” she said softly, then, much to Justin’s surprise, she tiptoed and planted a quick peck on his cheek.

Justin stiffened at the unexpected gesture, his cold eyes meeting hers as she quickly pulled back.

She offered him an apologetic look, her eyes silently conveying that it was all for show in front of her grandfather. She forced an awkward smile, hoping he wouldn’t be too upset.

Without a word, Justin turned and left, leaving Natalie to wonder, ‘Did I just anger him by pecking his cheek? As long as it makes grandpa happy, I can even anger a devil then what more is this guy.’

——

Justin sat in his car, ready to return to the hotel and dive into his work. But before he could drive away, his hand instinctively touched his cheek, where the soft imprint of Natalie’s lips still lingered.

The kiss had been brief, but it had left a surprising impact—her lovely scent, the warmth of her presence, and the unexpected intimacy all swirled in his mind. It was infuriating that despite his irritation with her, he couldn’t entirely reject the closeness.

The only woman who could ever affect him this way, that woman was his step-sister. He felt like he was in big trouble.

He took a few steadying breaths, trying to push the thoughts away, but just as he was about to drive off, his phone buzzed with a message from Natalie:

[Mr. Harper, I’m sorry about last night.

Please sleep in my room tonight.

I’ll sleep on the floor, and you can have the whole bed.

Please, it’s for Grandpa’s sake. I beg you 🙏]

Justin couldn’t help but smile lightly, imagining her saying those words with her usual dramatic fact. ‘Drama Queen.’

He quickly dialed a number of his assistant. “Noah, buy a king-size bed along with a mattress, pillows, sheets, everything needed for two people, and have it sent to Natalie’s home. Make sure the old bed and everything on it are taken away and burned to ashes.”

There was a brief silence on the other end as Noah processed the unusual request. It wasn’t every day that his boss asked for something so specific—and so strange.

“Understood?” Justin’s deep voice carried a note of warning, making it clear that this was not a request to be questioned.

“Yes, Mr. Harper,” Noah replied, snapping back to his usual efficiency.

Justin hung up the call and drove away.