Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 28: Hurt Ankle

Justin gently placed Natalie on the sofa and knelt before her on one knee, reaching out to check her ankles. However, she quickly retracted her foot.

"I can do it," she said, her tone firm.

Respecting her wishes, Justin pulled his hands back and stood up, giving her some space. He looked at Noah, who left the suite, leaving the pair of step-siblings alone.

From a short distance away, Justin observed her, noticing how differently she was dressed today. Unlike her usual professional and plain attire, she wore a white, long-sleeved lace top paired with an olive green knee-length skirt. Her hair was left loose, and she wore heels, giving her a more lively and vibrant appearance than usual.

He guessed it might have been an attempt to present herself as a happily married woman in front of her grandfather.

As she sat with her head slightly lowered, she gently brushed away loose strands of hair from her forehead, revealing a smooth, glowing complexion that radiated both strength and beauty. Even in her simple clothes, she exuded an elegance that momentarily left Justin speechless.

When she removed her sandals, Justin noticed the reddish swelling around her left ankle. He watched as she ran her finger around it, wincing in pain which she tried to suppress.

It was clear she didn’t like to show vulnerability, just as her grandfather had described.

Justin left the room briefly and returned with a first aid kit, only to find her putting her sandals back on and attempting to stand. She was clearly intent on leaving. She carefully tested her injured leg, if she could walk, only to make it worse.

"Aah!" With a painful groan, she fell back on the sofa, frustration clear over her face. "Damn it!"

Justin walked towards her and knelt in front of her once more, only to hear her reject his help again, "I am alright."

He lifted his gaze up to look at her, "If you want to feel better

shut her mouth which had just opened to reject his help

go?" Justin asked, and

carefully removing her sandals with deliberate care. He inspected her ankle, holding her small, bare foot in his large hands, his expression focused and

froze. To an observer, it

this was the first time a man knelt before her, treating her with such care and gentleness. The touch of his fingers felt like a warm burn against her cold skin, leaving traces of warmth wherever they lingered. She instinctively wanted to pull her foot away but remembered his earlier words and

veins visible beneath the fair surface, the bones appearing fragile. He gulped at the sight of it. He never thought that a woman’s feet he should pity for being so delicate,

an impression as if a powerful man was now being submitted in front of her, all focussed and careful. It was an unusual sight, and

Harper?" She could not wait for

his mind a moment

began to gently massage her ankle with his fingertips. He could feel her discomfort—her effort to hide the pain—and

was to find out if someone else was tracking you, so we could find any leads

might be setting you up. But after we agreed to work together to find him, I thought you had stopped doubting me and had your people

also for your safety," Justin

felt a touch of warmth, thinking that maybe this stranger was genuinely concerned for her well-being. But then she heard him continue, "You are the only lead

for a moment to think that someone finally cared for her, disappeared in a moment. It was not the care towards her but his selfish motive. She frowned at herself for having expectations from a stranger? Was she so starved for someone’s affection that even a stranger’s words felt

don’t have to worry about my safety. I can take care of myself," she replied plainly, thinking, ’If I were

I’ll stop them," he assured her, looking up with sincere eyes. "If it bothered