Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother - Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Shift In Temperament

The next morning Natalie woke up, only to find herself alone in the room. She glanced at the bathroom but didn’t seem like anyone was inside.

‘Has he left already?’

Just as she wondered, she heard the voices from outside. Curious, she headed out of the room, only to find her grandfather standing at the kitchen entrance.

“AiIden, you are such a good husband,” Albert’s delighted voice reached her ear.

“Grandpa?” she called, clearly surprised by his presence.

“Good Morning, my dear,” Albert greeted her warmly. “I just can’t stop praising your husband. You’ve found yourself a gem.”

Natalie blinked, wondering what on earth that infuriating man could have possibly done to earn such high praise this time. She stepped closer to the kitchen entrance, and her eyes widened as she saw the scene before her: Justin, in her kitchen, cooking.

The CEO of Harper Group, the richest man in the country, is cooking in my kitchen?

She stood there in disbelief. The last time they’d spoken about cooking, she had mocked him, doubting whether someone like him could even know his way around a kitchen. But now, here he was—an apron tied around his waist, preparing multiple dishes at once with an effortless grace.

Is he a chef as his side job?

Just as she watched, Justin skillfully flipped a pancake in the pan with one hand while stirring a pot of soup with the other. The move was so seamless, so professional, that it made her exclaim without thinking, “Whoa!”

Albert’s grin grew wider. “Isn’t he amazing?”

Natalie, still in disbelief, nodded automatically. This must be a dream… or maybe just my wishful thinking.

She glanced at her grandfather, who was clearly waiting for her to shower Justin with praise. Forcing a smile, she said, “Indeed grandpa. What kind of luck I have stumbled upon to be able to eat something cooked by great Just…I mean just in time to be able to marry a great man like him and eat a meal cooked by him…”

Justin smirked at how she almost ended up spilling the beans by calling him Great Justin Harper. ‘This woman herself is gonna blow up her lie one day.’

Trying to shift the conversation, Natalie asked, “When did you arrive, Grandpa?”

“Even before the sun was out, I left the hospital so I could avoid being found out by your grandma,” the old man replied. “She wants to come to your home and meet your husband, but I told her she can’t unless you allow her to. But I am sure she will have people follow me and soon find this place.”

“You did well, grandpa,” she assured, “But you don’t have to trouble yourself to hide it. If she finds out, I will deal with it. Don’t worry.”

He hummed and then looked at her hand, “When I arrived home, I saw Aiden was cleaning the kitchen. He told me you hurt your hand last night and so he decided to cook for us. He is so thoughtful.”

She glanced at the busy chef and simply hummed, wondering that he doesn’t have to act this real for her grandpa’s sake.

“Go freshen up and come for breakfast.”

Natalie nodded and left, glancing at Justin once more. That was such a beautiful sight to see and she wished she could capture it.

As Natalie returned to the kitchen, she found breakfast neatly arranged on the table, with Justin and Albert sitting on the sofa watching the news, clearly waiting for her. The kitchen, now spotless, looked as though it hadn’t been touched, which only added to her growing awe.

Gosh, such an efficient man. What kind of good karma does a woman need to get a husband who’s successful in business, can cook like this, and takes care of elders? she thought, her frown deepening inwardly. What my karma gets me is an invisible husband on paper. Maybe I’ll get better luck in the next life.

Justin, as if sensing a gaze on him, turned to look at her, only to find her staring at him, making him wonder what she was thinking now.

Just then the news flashed on the TV, getting all of their attention. This news didn’t seem like good news to Natalie.

“On her first day as CEO of her new company, Natalie Ford has fired all the employees, leaving them jobless without warning. This decision has caused a stir, with many accusing her of ignoring the hard work and dedication of her employees. Is this a misuse of power?”

Ken’s face appeared on the TV screen, criticizing Natalie as he spoke to reporters. “I’m not sure what Chairman Ford saw in her granddaughter to hand over the company. A young woman who probably doesn’t know how to make a simple report is now making decisions for a company? This was inevitable. I urge Chairman Ford to reconsider her decision and not allow Ms. Natalie to manage this company…”

Natalie, as though unaffected, calmly turned off the TV. “Grandpa, let’s have breakfast. I’m starving.”

Albert watched her with a sad expression but complied, quietly moving to the breakfast table. Justin followed, observing Natalie in silence. The three of them settled down, and for a while, the only sound was the clinking of cutlery.

As they ate, Albert couldn’t hold back his concern. “What do you plan to do now, Nat?”

Without missing a beat, Natalie replied, “Let them bark, Grandpa. I’ll stick to my plans. Don’t worry.”

Justin looked at her but said nothing as usual. But he believed she must have her own plans and he decided to believe in her.

After the quiet breakfast, Justin returned to the bedroom to get ready to leave for work while Natalie stayed with her grandfather in the drawing room.

“Natalie, I am staying here today. If I returned to the hospital, I would have to be careful while coming here.”

“Grandpa, I won’t be home the entire day and I would be worried if you stay here alone…”

“I am alright,” the old man dismissed with a smile, “I am allowed to be discharged already, but I told doctors not to so I won’t have to return home and I can come here without any trouble.”

“Are you sure you would be alright alone?” she asked worriedly.

“Don’t worry. Also, Andrew will come here to accompany me and we might even go out somewhere in the nearby park.”

She could only agree. “I will keep calling you once in a while. Make sure to receive my call or I will run back home.”

“Sure.”

“I will get ready for the office then.”

Just then both of their cellphone’s beeped. The latest trending news flashed on their screens.

It was a headline about Ford and Brown groups signing a major new project, followed by the announcement of the official engagement ceremony of Ivan and Briena, scheduled to take place in the coming days.

Albert frowned in anger. “So now I get to hear about important family events through the news?”

Natalie read the news as well and was about to console her sad grandfather, but instead the old man started to console her.

“Natalie, I know you have loved Ivan for so many years. I know how much you loved him, I know it all,” the old man said with sad expressions.

“Grandpa…”

“I know it must be hurtful for you to see him getting engaged to your sister. I can see that on your face, I can see how sad you are. It’s difficult to forget one’s first love.” Albert held her hand, “If you do not wish to attend the engagement, you don’t have to. I know it would hurt you to see Ivan with your sister. But trust me, with the man like Aiden with you, you will soon start forgetting Ivan, as if he doesn’t exist for you anymore.”

She wanted to say something, but then noticed Justin standing behind, who didn’t look pleased for some reason.

“Are you leaving?” she asked.

He simply glared at her, as if she had done something wrong, but then Albert turned to him, “Oh, you are leaving, Aiden?”

Justin looked at the old man and nodded. He walked towards the shoe stand and started to wear his shoes, while Natalie could feel the shift in his temperament. If not for her grandpa, maybe he would have said what was wrong now, or what she had done to anger him.

Justin offered a light nod to Albert and left, not even sparing Natalie a single glance.

As the door closed, Albert spoke, “Did you feel he was angry for some reason or it’s my old self being delusional?”

“Ah, no grandpa. He was just in a hurry to leave for the office. Must be some office work which had spoiled his mood,” Natalie said, but inside she knew it was not the truth.

Whatever had angered Justin, was related to her. ‘Once he is home, I will ask him. I hope there won’t be any other argument between us.’