Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother novel Chapter 219

Chapter 219: Arrival Of A Friend

Justin’s voice grew firm as he added, "Until then, stay away from your mother. My people will keep you updated about her condition, but you can’t meet her anyway right now." _{freewēbnoveℓ.com}

"Is there a reason you’re asking me to stay away from her?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"If I said yes, would you trust me and listen?" Justin countered, his tone steady but serious.

She studied him for a long moment, searching his face for answers, before finally replying, "Sure."

Justin’s gaze softened as his hand gently caressed her cheek. Leaning closer, he captured her lips in a tender kiss. Natalie didn’t pull away; instead, she responded, her lips moving softly against his.

Not wanting to suffocate her in her weak condition, he ended the kiss quickly but stayed close, his breath warm against her lips as he whispered:

"Why do you have to be so understanding instead of demanding? It makes me feel guilty for keeping things from you."

She whispered back, her lips brushing against his. "You’re a powerful man, someone who doesn’t need to hide anything and can handle even the worst situations. If you’re keeping something from me, it must be for a strong reason. But... I can only hope you’ll tell me everything one day."

Justin pulled back slightly to meet her eyes. "Do you trust me that much?" he asked, his voice low. "And do you trust that I truly love you?"

"Maybe," she replied softly. She didn’t deny it—his care and actions spoke volumes. And there was no point in playing coy for no reason.

His lips curved into a confident smile. "I’ll make sure that ’maybe’ becomes a ’definitely yes’ one day."

She simply smiled as she didn’t doubt his resolve, his unwavering confidence. She knew she had started to fall for him as well.

----

A week passed, during which Natalie was not allowed to meet her mother directly but was occasionally permitted to see her from a distance. Meanwhile, Aiden Shaw and Justin maintained an uneasy truce, both focused on protecting the women in their care. Justin had significantly increased security around the hospital, ensuring there would be no threats to Natalie or her mother.

Despite the DNA results confirming their sibling relationship, neither brother brought up the subject. Both seemed unwilling to acknowledge or accept the other as family, silently agreeing to let the matter lie—for now.

As the week ended, Natalie was cleared to leave the hospital. However, Justin had his own conditions.

"Even if you’re allowed to leave, you are not to exert yourself," he said firmly. "You’ll work quietly from your office or home and rest as much as possible."

"I will, don’t worry," Natalie assured him as she prepared to leave with him.

Justin’s gaze darkened, his tone serious as he added, "If you fail to keep your word, I’ll bring you straight back here and lock you in this hospital room for an entire month. And you’ll have nothing to do but rest."

Natalie sighed but couldn’t help smiling at his protective nature. "I’ll behave, Mr. Harper," she teased lightly. "You don’t have to threaten me."

"I do hope the threat works on you, or you wait for the punishment," Justin replied, his expression and tone strict.

Natalie could only humm as she didn’t want to challenge him or she knew she was not going anywhere.

Justin left Natalie to her office where Ryan and John accompanied her. There were instructed to not let Natalie off of their sights even for a moment unless she was inside her own office.

When she reached her office floor, a receptionist greeted her and informed, "Ms Natalie, someone is here to meet you."

"Who?" she asked.