Natalie swallowed hard. His words, his unwavering determination and confidence in the one he would love, were overwhelming. A man like this must be desired by every woman.
"Understood?" he asked, pulling her back to reality.
She brushed his hand away to free her chin, offering him a cold glare. "Care to keep your distance? We’re only pretending to be husband and wife for my grandpa’s sake, not for you to get so close to me."
"Says the one who jumped on me last night," he retorted, stepping back.
His remark only fueled her anger. "You... that was an accident... I..."
"Good that you’re aware we’re just acting," he interrupted dismissively. "Because anyone could be my wife but you. You’re off the chart."
Her brows knitted in frustration, thinking he was looking down on her.
"You’re off the chart for me as well, Mr. Harper. I’d rather stay single than be entangled with a superficial man like you," she countered sharply. "And I won’t thank you for helping with my grandpa, as it’s simply part of our deal to help each other in our respective goals."
Justin could see the anger and hurt in her eyes. She was his stepsister, so of course she was off-limits, but there was no need to explain. When he would tell her, she will understand his words.
"What about the home talk with your grandpa?" he asked, changing the subject.
"You don’t need to concern yourself with it," she replied curtly. "You can leave now."
"Mr. Ford asked me to take you home."
"Tell him you did," she said as she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes.
Justin hesitated for a moment, then walked over and gently covered her with the sheet, taking her by surprise. Neither of them spoke as he left, and Natalie opened her eyes, still unsettled by what he had said.
’Anyone but her?’ That clearly showed like others, he had a bad impression of her and would never think about her in other way. ’Doesn’t matter. Maybe my bad image will help keep superficial men like him away.’
-----
After Briena’s minor injuries were treated, she and Ivan decided to leave the hospital. Briena chose to be quiet as her lie was almost caught today by Ivan. As they reached the parking lot, she noticed a familiar car and a man getting inside it.
"That man," she muttered, which caught Ivan’s attention and he followed her gaze. A man in simple formal clothes was sitting inside an ordinary brand white car.
"Who is he?" Ivan asked, watching Briena as she quickly checked her phone screen and then looked back at the car.
"It’s the same car and that man... He’s Natalie’s husband," she replied.
Ivan immediately tried to catch a glimpse of the man’s face, but the car had already turned the corner and disappeared.
"I missed taking his picture again. Grandma wanted to see him since Natalie is so adamant about hiding him," Briena frowned in frustration.
"Are you sure it’s her husband?" Ivan asked, shocked. "Didn’t she say she doesn’t know him?"
"Ivan, do you still believe her? How can someone not know who they’re married to?" Briena retorted. "She brought him to meet our grandpa. He’s just an ordinary man, doing random jobs. I don’t know what she saw in him when she had someone perfect like you. I wonder how many men she met in Xyros City, and if he’s the only one she’s ever been with."
Her words struck a nerve in Ivan. He stared in the direction where the car had vanished, his fists clenching tightly. Natalie had humiliated him in front of everyone on their wedding day for a nobody.
Briena noticed his reaction and gently held his hand. "Calm down, Ivan. I know you’re hurting, but you need to accept the truth. Forget about her. Now we’re together, and I promise, I’ll never hurt you."
Ivan looked at Briena. Her words were comforting, and her touch soothed the burning anger inside him. But more than that, her soft expression and the beauty of her face were captivating.
Sensing his vulnerability, Briena tiptoed and pecked him on the cheek. "I’m glad to have you with me. You’re a great man, Ivan."
Her soft, loving gesture made him gulp. She smelled nice, and her soft body so close to his felt tempting. He had never felt this way with Natalie—she was never like this with him. There had always been an invisible wall between them that he could never break through. He couldn’t even remember the last time Natalie had touched him this way or what it felt like to be close to her.
’Was it because she had someone else in her heart?’
"Briena?" he whispered softly.
"Hmm?" she responded, her expression innocent as if unaware of what he was feeling.
He swallowed hard, struggling to control his emotions. "Let’s go," he said, turning toward his car.
Briena could sense that she had almost won him over today. A triumphant smile played on her lips as she followed him to the car. ’Sooner or later, he’ll be mine. It won’t be long before he’s in my bed, and then he’ll have no choice but to forget Natalie and think only about me.’
-----
In the afternoon, with John’s assistance, Natalie completed the discharge process.
"Ms. Natalie, there are some reporters outside the hospital. They might try to trouble you," John informed her.
"Thanks," she replied, undeterred, as she made her way toward the exit. John followed closely, ready to protect her if needed.
As soon as she stepped out of the hospital, the reporters, seemingly already aware of her discharge, swarmed around her. John stood by her side, his gaze a silent warning for them to keep their distance.
But Natalie wasn’t intimidated. She stood there, calm and composed, her chin held high and her back straight, exuding nothing but confidence.
"Ms. Natalie, what do you have to say about the recent news involving you?" one reporter asked.
"You’ll find out very soon," she replied calmly.
"We saw you slapped your sister. What exactly led to that?" another reporter pressed.
"If you slap your own sibling, do you go around explaining it to everyone?" she countered, her tone unwavering.
"But we ordinary people don’t make it into the news," the reporter shot back. "So, will you explain why you slapped her?"
"Because she deserved it," Natalie answered bluntly.
The reporters were momentarily taken aback by her bold reply. Instead of being defensive, she owned her actions in front of everyone.