Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 164: Not Ready For Another Heartbreak

Natalie stayed frozen, unsure how to reciprocate the passion he was showing. The kiss was fine, but beyond that...

Her mind wandered, overwhelmed by questions. I am a married woman, yet here I am, being intimate with another man. What connection do I even have with him to justify this? What am I doing with Justin Harper—the powerful Justin Harper—who is only here for his own purpose? Once his lookalike is found, he will leave. I can’t let myself get too attached. Just like Ivan... he’ll leave too.

The thought of being abandoned again was unbearable.

Justin sensed the subtle shift in her expression, catching that fleeting moment, realising she was not on the same page as him at this moment.

He pulled back slightly and asked, "What are you thinking about?" His eyes searched hers.

Before Natalie could respond, the soup on the stove boiled over, the sound abruptly breaking their connection.

She started to move, but Justin was quicker. He turned off the gas before she could react.

I have to stop here. I am not ready for another heart break.

She hopped down from the kitchen counter, grabbed a cleaning cloth, and said, "I’ll clean this up and finish cooking. You can wait in the drawing room."

Justin watched her as she began wiping up the spilled soup, fully aware of the shift in her mood. He gently took hold of her hand to stop her.

"Let it be," he said softly.

She looked at him, regaining some composure. "Don’t you want dinner?"

"Let’s eat out," he suggested, releasing her hand.

"It’s already late, and we’d have to drive to a restaurant," she replied, her reluctance clear. "I don’t want to leave now that I’m finally home."

from her hand, set it aside, and guided her to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. "We’re going somewhere close for some simple, tasty food," he

if he could make her do whatever he wanted. Though he wished to ask what’s

Natalie washed her hands, she asked, "Will an

the sink, rinsing his hands. "When the company’s just

feeling a bit lighter. Better than staying home and dealing

and turned toward the kitchen exit

tension had lifted,

pair of casual slippers and opened

did the same, pausing. "Let me grab the car

need," he said

gave him a curious look. Justin smirked and added, "Let them

the realization hit. "Are

outlet. What do you think?"

and followed him. "What

of my perfect back profile. Most people don’t even get to see my

as they waited for the elevator. "You really are a

"Highly self-aware, I’d say."

man was the king

ground floor, Ryan approached

close by. No need to follow us," Justin instructed. "Just hand me a cap from

a black cap, which

a cover to his face, though she wondered if it could

attire—a simple half-sleeved t-shirt, pants, slippers, and now the cap—he still looked striking. There was just something about him that made him stand out, no matter what

you keep looking at me like that," Justin said, catching her in her daze, "I

snapped her gaze away, her cheeks instantly warming. It’s not