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."

the kitchen sink to wash her hands. "We’re going

movements smooth as if he could make her do whatever he wanted. Though he wished to ask what’s wrong with

asked,

rinsing his hands. "When the company’s just right, every place

feeling a bit lighter. Better than staying

dried his hands and turned toward the kitchen exit

had lifted,

of casual slippers and

same, pausing. "Let

he said

Justin smirked and added, "Let them see me for what I am—just your

blinked, stunned, as the realization hit.

a sensation in every news outlet. What do you think?" Justin replied,

followed him. "What if they take

be lucky to catch a shot of my perfect back profile. Most

the elevator. "You really are a

"Highly self-aware, I’d say."

This man was the king

they reached the ground floor,

need to follow us," Justin instructed. "Just

and soon brought over a black cap, which

to his face, though she wondered

still looked striking. There was just something about him that made him stand out, no matter what he wore. She was convinced that even if he wrapped himself in a burlap sack, he’d still manage to

looking at me like that," Justin said, catching her in her

cheeks instantly warming. It’s not my