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."

and pointed to the hair on his head. "See, I have gray hair

much as I have," she said. "You

"Are we having a competition over who has more gray

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 the most beautiful woman in

her response, he leaned in and kissed her. Caryn didn’t resist—she had missed him just as much and had desperately waited

let him be. They had kissed before, but never had

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

they finally pulled away, he whispered, "Now do you

flushed. "You... must

he

even at this age how horny this man could get, but she didn’t trust

she stepped back and replied, "You

hum, though a trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes. He quietly fixed his clothes and said, "Let’s

Every now and then, Caryn glanced at him, wondering if he truly was disappointed. But he gave no indication—his face

about everything that had happened in his absence,

they returned to the room, James, as usual, tucked her under the sheets, turned off the lights and got in beside

his surprise, Caryn moved

gently wrapped her hand around him, ready to sleep in his

had never done this before—not on her own. It had always been him who

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

room felt oddly, overly silent—as though they could hear each other’s heartbeats. The air seemed unsettling, or perhaps it was just becoming

of permission, he moved over—only to have her beneath him,

her lips to say something but

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