Married to my billionaire 28

Posted by admin, ? Views, Released on November 16, 2024

28 Hurt Ankle

Justin gently placed Natalie on the sofa and knelt before her on one knee, reaching out to check her ankles. However, she quickly retracted her foot. @

“I can do it,” she said, her tone firm.

Respecting her wishes, Justin pulled his hands back and stood up, giving her some space. He looked at Noah, who left the suite, leaving the pair of step–siblings alone.

From a short distance away, Justin observed her, noticing how differently she was dressed today. Unlike her usual professional and plain attire, she wore a white, long–sleeved lace top paired with an olive green knee–length skirt. Her hair was left loose, and she wore heels, giving her a more lively and vibrant appearance than usual.

He guessed it might have been an attempt to present herself as a happily married woman in front of her grandfather.

As she sat with her head slightly lowered, she gently brushed away loose strands of hair from her forehead,

11:04

15

28 Hurt Ankle

revealing a smooth, glowing complexion that radiated both strength and beauty. Even in her simple clothes, she exuded an elegance that momentarily left Justin speechless.

When she removed her sandals, Justin noticed the reddish swelling around her left ankle. He watched as she ran her finger around it, wincing in pain which she tried to suppress.

It was clear she didn’t like to show vulnerability, just as her grandfather had described.

Justin left the room briefly and returned with a first aid kit, only to find her putting her sandals back on and attempting to stand. She was clearly intent on leaving. She carefully tested her injured leg, if she could walk, only to make it worse.

“Aah!” With a painful groan, she fell back on the sofa,

frustration clear over her face. “Damn it!”

Justin walked towards her and knelt in front of her

once more, only to hear her reject his help again, “I am alright.”

“I can see that,” his deep sarcastic voice reached her ears. He lifted his gaze up to look at her, “If you want

28 Hurt Ankle

to feel better quickly and leave this place, you’d better let me help you.”

His gaze as if commanding her to obey him, she quietly shut her mouth which had just opened to reject his help again.

“Are we good to go?” Justin asked, and she could only nod in response.

Justin’s hands moved to her foot, carefully removing her sandals with deliberate care. He inspected her ankle, holding her small, bare foot in his large hands, his expression focused and serious.

The moment his fingers touched the delicate skin of her ankle, Natalie sucked in a sharp breath and froze. To an observer, it might have seemed like the reaction was due to the pain, but she knew the real reason was

different.

Despite having dated before, this was the first time a man knelt before her, treating her with such care and gentleness. The touch of his fingers felt like a warm burn against her cold skin, leaving traces of warmth wherever they lingered. She instinctively wanted to pull her foot away but remembered his earlier words

28 Hurt Ankle

and kept still.

Justin’s eyes narrowed as he examined her foot. Her skin was so delicate, with veins visible beneath the fair surface, the bones appearing fragile. He gulped at the sight of it. He never thought that a woman’s feet he should pity for being so delicate, he would find them

attractive.

Natalie looked at his lowered head, giving an impression as if a powerful man was now being submitted in front of her, all focussed and careful. It

was an unusual sight, and she found it difficult to look.

away.

But, seeing him observing her ankle, more than necessary, Natalie felt unsettled and called, “Mr Harper?” She could not wait for him to let go of her

foot from his hold.

“You have twisted it badly,” he replied calmly and focussed, hiding what was in his mind a moment before. A light massage and then wrapping it with a sprain relief bandage should be enough.”

As he spoke, he began to gently massage her ankle with his fingertips. He could feel her discomfort–her

11.04

28 Hun Ankle

effort to hide the pain–and decided to distract her.

“About having my people follow you, Justin began, “it was to find out if someone else was tracking you, so we could find any leads on your mysterious husband.”

Natalie nodded, already expecting such an explanation. “I figured that out early on, especially when you didn’t trust me and thought I might be setting you up. But after we agreed to work together to find him, I thought had stopped doubting me and had your people

you

stop following me.”

“It was also for your safety,” Justin added.

For a brief moment, Natalie felt a touch of warmth, thinking that maybe this stranger was genuinely concerned for her well–being. But then she heard him continue, “You are the only lead I have toward that look–alike of mine, and I need to find out if someone is

trying to set us up.”

The warmth she felt for a moment to think that someone finally cared for her, disappeared in a

moment. It was not the care towards her but his selfish motive. She frowned at herself for having expectations from a stranger? Was she so starved for

28 Hurt Ankle

someone’s affection that even a stranger’s words felt comforting?

“You don’t have to worry about my safety. I can take care of myself,” she replied plainly, thinking, ‘If I were that weak, I would have died in Xyros City long ago and wouldn’t be sitting in front of you now.‘

“Alright, I’ll stop them,” he assured her, looking up with sincere eyes. “If it bothered you, I apologize.”

His unexpected apology took her by surprise. She hadn’t anticipated that someone as prideful–and in her opinion, arrogant–as Justin would apologize to her. Feeling a twinge of guilt, she softened a bit and said, “It’s just that I don’t like being followed when I’m unaware. It…” Her hands instinctively clutched her skirt as she spoke, her voice growing anxious. “It… just makes me feel… anxious and… I…”

“I understand,” Justin replied, noticing her struggle to express herself. “I’ll make sure to inform you if my men are following you. For now, considering the recent news about you, I’d prefer they stay close, for your safety. They’ll be in contact with you as well, so you won’t feel like strangers are watching you. You spoke to one of them today.”

11:09

8.

28 Hurt Ankle

She nodded but added a condition, “Only until the

matter in the news is resolved.”

“Need help with that?” he offered.

She shook her head, firmly refusing. Relying on others to solve her problems wasn’t her style. “I can take care

of it.”

Justin finished massaging her ankle and pulled out a small roll of skin–colored sprain relief bandage. He carefully wrapped her foot, his movements gentle and

precise.

Despite her earlier displeasure at his words, she found herself watching him closely, captivated by the elegance and care with which he treated her injury.

Once he was done, he gently placed her foot on the carpeted floor and looked up, only to catch her staring at him again. It wasn’t the first time he had noticed her doing this, and oddly, he didn’t mind it.

“It’s done,” he said.

“Huh?” she responded, puzzled.

“You should avoid moving your foot for a while. I suggest you stay here and let it rest unless you want

11.05

28 Hurt Ankle

someone to carry you out,” he instructed, rising to his feet. “I wouldn’t mind if you stayed for a while, because…” He hesitated, wanting to say, ‘You’re my sister,‘ but swallowed the words. “…because you’re