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.

only tell her," Ivan said. "There are some things she doesn’t know, and only I can explain them. But I’ll do it only if you

doesn’t need to know

to know why I agreed to

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 ensure Natalie wouldn’t

and dialed Natalie’s

home, he was still working while seated

perfect study room for you, and you’re working from here?" Natalie commented, lying in bed, clearly bored. She

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

for the pain in my back, I wouldn’t be listening to him, she thought angrily, glaring

make you feel better," he commented, his focus still entirely on the

frowned and looked away,

cellphone—currently under Justin’s control to prevent her from using it too much—rang. Justin glanced at

and resumed focusing

it?" Natalie

"Ivan Brown," Justin answered.

and resumed staring

cell phone rang once more, but neither of them

the phone rang again. Justin looked at the screen and said, "It’s Mia.

opposing her receiving Mia’s call. She figured he understood the importance of staying connected with Mia during such

As soon as she answered, Natalie asked, "How’s everything

handling everything well," Mia replied, though her tone turned

"What?" Natalie asked.