Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 49: Drama Queen Natalie

"Did you two have a fight, or is something else going on?" Albert’s expression turned grave, his tone serious.

"Mr. Ford..."

"Grandpa, why are you up so early?" Natalie called out as she quickly emerged from her room, her heart racing.

She had heard the familiar sound of her grandfather’s cane tapping against the floor and was alerted even in her sleep.

The old man turned to look at her, "Why is Aiden sleeping outside?"

Natalie gulped nervously, "G-Grandpa, we happened to fight last night."

Frowned lines appeared on his forehand. "What kind of fight would be so serious that you’d make him sleep out here on that tiny sofa? You two should be acting like any newlyweds—loving each other and forgiving mistakes easily,"

"That... Grandpa... I..."

"Go sit there," Albert instructed, pointing to the spot on the sofa where Justin was sitting.

Natalie obediently sat in the other corner of the sofa, instead of sitting close to Justin. She sat on the edge, her legs tightly clamped together, her hands clasped nervously in her lap, clearly anxious.

Justin noticed it, but didn’t intervene. If it was before he would have done something but after last night how defensive she acted against his presence, he didn’t even want to be close to her. ’She totally deserves that scum Ivan Brown.’

Albert’s frown deepened as he observed how far Natalie had sat from Justin, as if he were a stranger. Her nervous behaviour only added to his concern. He settled into a chair opposite them, his expression serious. "Let’s have a serious talk."

About what, Grandpa?" Natalie asked, her voice shaky, fearing that her lie might be uncovered.

While Justin sat relaxed, his back straight, one leg crossed over the other, ready to see how she would handle the situation.

"Natalie, answer me honestly," Albert said, his gaze piercing.

"Yes, Grandpa?"

Are you forcing yourself into this marriage for my sake, even though it was

admit the truth now? Would he be able to handle it? As she hesitated, she saw the distress

the truth. If it is, then you don’t have to

out, but seeing the pain in his

love Ivan, don’t you?" Albert asked

quiet till now, his eyes flickered at it. ’She definitely loves him,’ he thought bitterly. ’She said last night how much she misses that bastard and could not wait to

think that? I have nothing to do with

’Liar,’

Justin cursed inwardly.

"I don’t believe you."

believed her lies

for many years. It’s difficult to forget someone easily. But don’t worry, your grandfather is

"Grandpa, no..."

her, his

gaze,

I used to think you talked less because that’s just your personality. But now I realized it’s becasue you’re pretending to be with Natalie for my sake, aren’t you? You’re a good man, and you don’t want to hurt this old man, so you’ve kept

"I was glad that Natalie could be with a man like you, but it seems you both think otherwise. I won’t be the reason you two are

turned moist, his hand over his chest tightening.

calm him. "Grandpa, please calm down. It’s not what you think.

as she looked at him, clearly not expecting her

it right for him to leave me when I need him the most? You always said, ’What

had insisted he go on the business trip, and now she was making it sound like it was his

fully leaning into her role. "How are we going to get closer if he stays away from me? This home, all of this—what is it for? For me to live alone?" She turned into a typical, unhappy wife, airing her

an actor?’ Justin sighed

telling the truth?" Albert asked

face looked pitifully sad that tugged