Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 391: Young Aiden And Aaron

"The first time we met, you and your brother were around eight years old," the old man began, scoffing as he looked at Justin with a glint of self-mockery in his eyes. "I had two grandsons... and yet I didn’t even know of your existence for years. Your father really played me for a fool. Always refusing to marry the women I chose—while secretly raising a family of his own."

Aeldric’s expression turned cold.

"He thought he could keep it hidden forever, huh? He truly underestimated me, his own father. And then he had the audacity to find a woman just as stubborn as he was. She refused to give me my grandsons. That weak, pathetic woman—she was nothing but trouble. If it hadn’t been for Alexander, I would’ve killed her the day I found out."

Justin scoffed, unfazed. "Good to know a ’weak and pathetic’ woman could still rile up a man like you."

Aeldric smirked. "The only reason I tolerated her was because she gave birth to my grandsons. Otherwise..."

"If you’re expecting me to thank you for ’sparing’ her," Justin cut him off, his voice razor-sharp, "then maybe you should go expect it from her—not me. She’s a stranger to me. I owe her nothing, and even less to you."

The old man chuckled, pride gleaming in his eyes. "This is exactly why you’re just like me, Aiden. Cold. Calculated. Emotionless. We, men like us—we don’t have weaknesses. And that’s how we rule the world. That first day we met, you proved it to me. And even now, you haven’t changed. No regard for emotions. Capable of cruelty far beyond imagination."

Justin leaned back in his chair, a light smirk on his lips, "I am sure, my way for cruelty is beyond your imagination now. You’d better pray I never get the urge to try it on you."

Aeldric laughed again—deep, pleased. "You only give me more reason to take pride in our bloodline, Aiden" he said. "You’ve inherited it perfectly. I remember that day like it was yesterday—an eight-year-old boy who might have never harmed a soul before, he sliced the throat of a person who angered him. No trace of hesitation and even remorse. There was simply an instinct to kill.

"The same boy who never saw a real gun, he picked it up as if it was his usual toy and pointed it at me- I, who everyone feared and even till date dreams about killing me. But there, you stood ready to shoot me, not a tinge of fear in your eyes."

Aeldric’s smile widened, dark and proud.

"In that moment, I knew. You were the one. My true blood. My heir."

Noah, who had just heard that his boss once slit someone’s throat at the age of eight, couldn’t help but think,So... his obsession with knives and the art of using them in the most terrifying ways started early.

A shiver ran down Noah’s spine as he recalled those moments—Justin with his blades, and the screams... of people who were no longer alive to speak about it. People who’d had the misfortune of experiencing those "fine skills" firsthand.

casual, yet laced with deadly promise. "You’d be

joke. "Well, I’ll wait for that day," Aeldric replied. "But I’m quite certain it’s not today. For now, let’s continue the story. After all this time, I finally get to reminisce about the day I

His eyes, however,

the Riverdale Estate after I discovered their existence," Aeldric said, a victorious

He scoffed.

woman. He could’ve had children with her—or any woman—but

leaned back slightly, the disgust evident

age, I

become addicted to two things: wine and a woman. They are

He paused, voice hardening.

she... was

the old man talked, his thoughts drifted to the old

----

Flashback.

of Aeldric Riverdale—brought his long-hidden family to the

let me run away with our kids?" a delicate but elegant woman said softly as she stepped out of the car. Her beauty carried the quiet strength of maturity. She walked beside

stone pathway leading toward the grand mansion ahead. Two guards

impossible to hide anymore," Alexander replied, his voice calm and composed, but tinged with regret. "I should have been more careful. I should’ve never visited you in

destined. Maybe now was the time to be found. I just... I just hope our children won’t be caught in any of this. I can talk to your father. I’ll ask him to let us go. We don’t want anything from the Riverdale family. He might show some mercy for the sake of his own

as he spoke, "Our kids are the reason you are here. I am afraid...." he stopped and assured her, "I will find a way.

grip on his hand tightening. Her gaze locked onto the looming estate ahead—its architecture regal and cold, towering with pride.

they might never walk

-----

boys whispered between themselves. One of them—calmer, more serious—walked with thoughtful silence,

He was Aaron.