Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 248: I Am Not That Person

"I want to talk to Natalie," Ivan said, certain that Mia would relent only if Natalie agreed. These two were like two peas in a pod.

Mia smirked. "For that, you don’t need my permission."

Ivan knew, Mia was even more difficult that Natalie. He remained calm. "She’s not answering my calls."

"Then you should know what that means, or do you want me to spell it out for you? She’s not interested in talking to you," Mia said in a mocking tone. "I’m sure she just forgot to block your number, or you wouldn’t even be able to leave a missed call."

Ivan kept his composure. Mia’s mocking wasn’t unexpected.

"I want you to help me reach her. I really need to talk to her," Ivan insisted.

"So you can beg her to forgive your mother?" Mia chuckled mockingly and raised her voice a little. "Ivan Brown, weren’t you the one thinking of pinning the blame on Natalie? Accusing her of setting a trap for your mother? Claiming it was because she wanted revenge on you? And now you’re here, asking for her mercy, even though you know full well your mother is the culprit and Natalie is entirely innocent?"

"Mia, that—"

"Do you think Natalie’s pride, her life, is so cheap that you can sacrifice it however you see fit?" Mia interrupted him coldly. "You know it well that she’s moved on and has no intention of seeking revenge on you. She’s happy in her life now, but your people, Fords and Browns—the garbage from her past—just can’t seem to stop dragging her back. If not for her insistence that you were by her side during her tough days, she wouldn’t even look at you now. Just a few consoling messages from you, and she thought of you as her savior. Despite being so smart, she was a complete moron when it came to you."

’Messages?’ Ivan recalled Natalie alway saying this but ignored it. Something clicked in his mind.

He considered Mia’s harsh words before saying, "I have something to tell her about those messages she received, something she doesn’t know."

"What?" Mia asked, her expression shifting.

are some things she doesn’t know, and only I

need to know

I agreed to marry

consider the situation. Natalie had always felt indebted to Ivan, thinking he was her strength and more. If she found out the entire truth—whatever it was—maybe she wouldn’t feel that way anymore. Perhaps this was the perfect chance to get the truth out of him directly and

and

at Justin’s home, he was still working while seated on

for you, and you’re working from here?" Natalie commented, lying in bed, clearly bored. She wasn’t even allowed to watch TV or use her mobile

it instead of trying to send me away," Justin replied, not even looking at her. He was fully aware of her

in my back, I

me aloud. It might make you feel better," he commented, his focus still

frowned and looked

to prevent her from using it too much—rang. Justin glanced at the screen, and his expression darkened slightly at the

ignored the call and resumed focusing on

it?"

"Ivan Brown," Justin answered.

Natalie stayed silent and resumed

rang once more, but neither of them reacted—neither bothering to answer it nor cut the

hour, the phone rang again. Justin looked at the screen and said,

call. She figured he understood the importance of staying connected with Mia

and passed the phone to her. As soon as she

Mia replied, though her tone turned hesitant.

"What?" Natalie asked.