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."

it aside, and guided her to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. "We’re going

wished to ask what’s wrong with her, seeing acting normal, he decided to leave

she asked, "Will an

joined her at the sink, rinsing his hands. "When the company’s just right,

talker, Natalie thought, feeling a bit lighter. Better than staying home and dealing with the

dried his hands and turned toward

that the tension had lifted, Natalie followed

casual slippers and opened the apartment

pausing. "Let me grab

he

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

stunned, as the realization hit. "Are we being

news outlet. What do you think?" Justin

door behind them and followed him. "What if they take pictures of you

a shot of my perfect back profile. Most people don’t even get

the elevator. "You really are a

"Highly self-aware, I’d say."

only nod. This man was the king

ground floor, Ryan

staying close by. No need to follow us," Justin instructed. "Just hand

and soon brought over a

it was to provide a cover to his face, though she wondered if

now the cap—he still looked striking. There was just something about him that made him stand out, no

her in her daze, "I might think what happened in the kitchen wasn’t enough

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