Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 477: The Wait’s Over

James had been away ever since he helped Caryn handle the matters in Belvorn. With Natalie not allowed to work, and Justin no longer affiliated with the Harpers—busy managing his own company and his other mysterious affairs—James had to shoulder more responsibilities.

Though Justin occasionally stepped in to handle matters on Natalie’s behalf, being already familiar with the Harper business, James didn’t feel it was right to keep him tied up with work when he should be focusing on Natalie.

That evening, Caryn was sitting quietly as usual while the other women were engaged in lively conversation, surrounding Natalie.

Julia cleared her throat and said in a teasing tone, singling out the silent one, "Seems like someone is missing her husband."

"So quiet these days," Catherine added with a knowing smile toward Julia.

Caryn looked at the two older women—her mother and mother-in-law. She knew exactly what they were trying to do but chose to stay silent.

"That reminds me," Natalie chimed in, "When is Dad returning?"

"You should ask him yourself," Caryn replied calmly.

"I don’t want to disturb him at work," Natalie said, "But I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if Mom messaged him instead."

"Yes, he actually waits for Caryn’s call or message like a love-struck idiot," Julia added with a chuckle, glancing at Catherine. "That’s the kind of effect your daughter has on my son."

Catherine cleared her throat playfully, "Julia, your son also has quite an effect on my daughter. I often find her dazed these days, missing him like a devoted wife."

"True," Julia agreed. "I’ve noticed it too—but she won’t admit it."

"As long as she admits it to her husband, that’s enough," Catherine said. "That alone is enough to make him come home faster."

you three done," Caryn said dryly, finally looking at the two older women and the younger one, "or

hesitantly. "I just happened to say I

go call him," Caryn replied, a little

him Mom misses him

mind your own

Natalie mumbled under her breath—only to receive a sharp glare from

you miss him that much, just tell him," Julia chimed in. "No point sulking around like this

but chose to ignore them. She stood up. "I’m heading home," she said, then turned to her mother, "Mother, you can stay here a little longer if you

Natalie and whispered,

head. "Dad’s been overwhelmed with

no time to breathe, he’d always find a second to call her. It’s not like him to stay this quiet," Julia remarked. Then she raised her voice—loud enough

"Dad’s still so handsome. I saw plenty of women trying to flirt with him at every

son," Julia said proudly, then called out again toward the hallway, "Caryn, did you hear that? Call

and

women barely managed to suppress

she’ll

to check her cell phone. If she doesn’t see any call or message from Dad, there’s a good chance she might fume and make a call. If not, then... we should

cellphone. It had been more than twenty-four hours, and not a single message was there from James—nor had he informed her about his

to say something, but Caryn had already walked past

looked displeased, so he didn’t stop her. Lost in her own world, she entered the room, the frown lines on

"That scoundrel..."

wife?" a familiar voice

the bathroom, draped in a towel around his waist,