Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother-Chapter 372: Adopted Son And Natalie’s Husband

In the evening, Julia arrived at James’ home with Natalie. James was present in the drawing room to welcome them, while Caryn was still inside her room.

Natalie had conflicted emotions in her heart as she met this man as her father—after he had declared it in front of the entire world. She didn’t know how to go about it. How was she supposed to suddenly address this man as father when she still called her mother by name?

James approached them, his gaze settling on Natalie, who offered him a polite nod. Meanwhile, Julia immediately spoke up.

"You finally did something to make your mother proud of you. You married the one you always loved."

Just like always, unaffected by any of her remarks, James said, "Have a seat first."

As they walked toward the sofa, Julia said to Natalie, "You know, your father has always been madly in love with your mother, even after she left him..."

"Mother, do you really have to tell all this to my daughter even before she knows me well enough on her own and gets used to calling me father?" James commented. "Leave her be."

"Are you worried your fake cold and aloof persona will be lifted in front of your daughter if I tell her what you don’t show others?" Julia countered.

"My actions from the past few days are enough to let her know what I feel for her mother. There is no need for you to waste your words," James replied without a tinge of hesitation.

Natalie couldn’t deny this claim. Even at this age this man was bold enough to frisk away his woman in front of entire world, without caring for what others would even say. One could only imagine the depth of his love towards that woman.

"I need something to talk about with my granddaughter, so gossiping about you seems like a good start," Julia countered. "And you can’t stop me."

James sighed and helped his mother settle on the sofa.

Natalie tried her best not to smile at the way these two were bickering. She hadn’t expected James to talk this much.

James looked at Natalie. "Justin?"

"He is finishing an important meeting, but he will be here soon," she informed him.

He hummed and left to get Caryn. She was inside her room when he approached her.

"Mother is here," he informed her.

She didn’t reply but turned her wheelchair around so she could leave the room.

James knelt in front of her chair, looking at her slightly anxious face.

"Mother is happy to have you. You don’t have to think too much. Just be yourself," he said calmly, looking into her eyes. Then, in a teasing tone, he added, "Moreover, as you said before, you are too old, so no need to feel like a newly wedded woman. Now you’re a woman with gray hair, old and experienced."

Hearing that, Caryn felt like slapping him. He was teasing her. Though she had said she was old, he didn’t have to rub it in her face like this.

"You’re old as well, so stop acting like a young, domineering man," she retorted, her tone slightly angry.

"I never said I am old," he countered, happy that she was back to her arrogant self. "Acting like a young, domineering man? Hmm! Are you referring to when I kissed you? Even if we are in eighties or nineteen, I would be same passionate towards you."

"Shut up!" she scolded him. "Move away! I need to go out."

James stood up and watched her go ahead while he followed her out.

Caryn reached the drawing room, where Julia greeted her with a warm smile. Caryn removed the mask from her face as a gesture of respect before greeting her.

"Good evening, Madam Harper," Caryn addressed her the same way she used to in the past.

"Caryn, don’t you think that’s not the appropriate way to address me now?" Julia asked softly.

Before Caryn could say a word, James interjected, "Mother. Take it slow." frёeωebɳovel.com

Julia sighed. "You’re still over-possessive of her. Never mind, I’ll wait until she calls me mother."

Caryn sighed in relief and looked at Natalie, who was sitting calmly. "Your husband isn’t here?"

"He’s on the way," she replied.

Just then, a man entered the home—Justin.

"There he is," Julia said, then asked as he approached them, "Finished your meeting?"

"Yes," Justin replied. He offered a polite nod in greeting to Caryn before sitting next to Natalie.

"You and James are always busy with these meetings and work, as if Harper Group would fall to ruins if you two didn’t work," Julia said in a complaining tone. "If you were any later, I was going to keep you outside."

"Calm down, Julia," Justin said. "It’s not even dinner time yet."

"So, can’t I expect my family to sit together and talk?" Julia countered. "Before, you and James would always leave me alone, but now that both of you are finally tied to a woman, I’m sure I won’t be left alone anymore."

Caryn listened to their conversation, trying to process Julia’s words. Confusion itched at her face. Just then, she heard James, who knew exactly what she was thinking.

"He is my adopted son, Justin. I told you you’d meet him today," James said.

Shock gripped Caryn’s mind as she looked at Justin, who nodded. "I am Justin Harper, as well as Aiden Handrix, Natalie’s husband."

Caryn turned to James, slightly stunned as she processed it all. So Natalie was married to the man who was her father’s adopted son.

"And you approve of them being together?" Caryn asked.

"It’s better to let our daughter be with a man we know rather than someone we don’t," James said. "I raised him, and I know he is the perfect man for Natalie. Also, they are not biologically related, so I see no issue."

Caryn looked at Natalie. "Are you happy with him?"

Just as Natalie opened her mouth to respond, Caryn spoke again. "Answer me only after you’ve thought about the kind of person you believe he is. I don’t care if he is Aiden Handrix or Justin Harper or how rich he is. All I need is for you to have a good man. You are capable enough to earn wealth on your own."

"I know," Natalie finally spoke. "There is nothing for you to worry about."

As the two talked, no one interfered. It was good to see Caryn showing that she cared for her daughter. She was indeed a strict mother.

A servant arrived and informed them, "Dinner is ready. Shall I start serving?"

"Of course," Julia said, breaking the silence. "I’m starving."

They all headed to the dining table and had a peaceful dinner. Afterward, as they settled back in the drawing room, James said, "Justin, come with me."

Justin followed James to his study, leaving the three women wondering.

"What is it that these two can’t talk about in front of us?" Julia said in a complaining tone. "We’re family, not strangers."

James and Justin didn’t come out for a long time. Julia took this chance to talk with Caryn.

"Caryn, how have you been?" Julia asked.

"Just as you must have heard," Caryn replied.

"You have always been a strong woman. I am glad you managed to face it all and are back with us," Julia said. "James was utterly broken after you left him. Though he never showed it, as a mother, I could tell. Now that you are together again, I hope you will be good to each other and not waste time dwelling in the past."

Caryn could only hum in response to the old woman’s request, but she wasn’t sure herself how she was going to go about it.

The two continued to talk while Natalie sat quietly, lost in her own thoughts as she listened to them.

Natalie couldn’t help but wonder—what was her parents’ relationship like in the past? What had happened to separate them when it was clear they loved each other?

She could tell that, despite how Caryn acted, she still loved James. Otherwise, there was no way James could have kept her here if she didn’t want to stay. If she truly hated him, she would have turned this home into hell or done something outrageous to threaten James, even at the cost of her own life.

But here she was, all obedient to James Harper.

All that needed was her to admit it to herself first and then to her man.