Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 478: Caryn’s Consent

She pushed him aside and moved away, only to have him pull her back. His hand caught hers in a firm grip as he drew her into a back hug, her slender back pressing against his solid torso.

She wanted to resist—she was still upset with him for not contacting her—but then she heard his calm and gentle voice.

"I just wanted to surprise you. If we had talked and you’d asked when I was returning, I wouldn’t have been able to lie. I didn’t expect you to get this angry, but I must say... I’m glad to see you this way. It means you missed me, that you care. But I promise, I won’t pull this stunt again or make you worry."

As he spoke, she finally relaxed in his arms and replied, "You better not."

He hummed softly in response and let her go, turning to fetch his clothes from the wardrobe.

Caryn stood still, catching the breath that had felt stuck in her chest. She walked over to the grand window, letting the cool evening breeze wash over her and calm the turmoil inside.

Meanwhile, James stood before the mirror. After a moment, he sighed and said, "I forgot to shave. I’ll be back in a while," before heading toward the bathroom.

Caryn noticed how tired he looked, the faint stubble on his face hinting at long hours and little rest. It must have been a hectic journey.

"Let it be," she said, her voice softer now.

James stopped and turned to look at her.

"You’re going to be a grandfather soon, still planning to look all young?" she said quietly, but there was a note of complaint beneath her calm tone. "So everyone can see how this woman—whose hair is almost a third gray—looks undeserving of you?"

James couldn’t help but smile. It was the first time she had spoken this way. Was she... insecure? Insecure about aging? About no longer being the young woman who once loved him so madly?

He gave up on the thought of shaving and instead walked over to her as she stood by the window. "So you don’t want me to shave and grow some beard?"

Caryn awkwardly shifted her gaze away from him and replied, "Those few gray hairs in your beard might let everyone know you’re old as well. I’m not the only one aging here."

in front of her and pointed to the hair on his

she

chuckled. "Are we having a competition over who

Caryn didn’t reply.

hadn’t been sick for so long, you’d still look like Natalie’s sister—trust me. But even with gray hair, I love you just as much as I always have. You’re still

didn’t resist—she had missed him

her willingness—finally, a shift in how close she let him be. They had kissed before, but never had she been

moon, he deepened the kiss, and she met him with equal

away, he whispered, "Now

hummed, her face flushed. "You... must be hungry. You

dinner?" he asked,

wonder even at this age how horny this man could

she stepped back and replied, "You need to

hum, though a trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes. He quietly fixed his

headed downstairs for dinner. Every now and then, Caryn glanced at him, wondering if he truly was disappointed. But he gave

and took a walk afterward, talking about everything that had happened in his absence, catching

room, James, as usual, tucked her under

to his surprise, Caryn

and gently wrapped her hand around him,

this before—not on her own. It had always been

wondering if, by speaking, she might pull away from him. He simply stared at the ceiling, thinking

could hear each other’s

it any longer. Taking her silence and closeness as some kind of permission, he moved over—only to have her beneath him,

hard. It wasn’t difficult to guess what his intentions were. She parted her lips to say something but

eyes, he could see the unsaid consent she had given, though she appeared self-conscious as