Trevor said, "Mr. Handrix, I’ve already matched the dates of Patrick Hunt’s trip to the Eastern Country with the ti Ms. Serena gave birth to a child. According to the data, his last trip was from Bayford City to the Eastern Country, and it was a few days before Ms. Serena gave birth. After that, there is no record of him—nothing at all, as if the man disappeared into thin air. We tried to dig further, but it’s hard to find anything unless that man died here in the Eastern City and no one knows."
Justin put the file back and leaned back in his chair. "If he was truly here and took away the child, I’m sure he knew who he was dealing with. He was in the special forces and was a trained spy, so he’s more than just capable of escaping without leaving any traces behind. Given his record during his service, one can see he was, in fact, a big deal."
Natalie looked at him. "If we can’t find him, we won’t be able to reach your sister either."
Justin simply stared at the file, unsure what to do at that mont, but then said, "For now, let’s focus on what we’re here for. About my sister—I’m sure that man must have kept her safe, and sooner or later, I’ll find them."
-----
Inside the wedding hall, Grace was growing impatient about where her husband had disappeared to, leaving her all alone to deal with the guests who kept questioning her about him.
Grace’s mother took care of the situation by offering so valid excuses.
Aeldric and Aaron had returned to the wedding hall. In everyone’s eyes, he was Aiden. Grace quickly went to him, smiling, showing she was happy to see him back.
"Where have you been?" she asked softly, her eyes sparkling with love. "I was waiting for you."
"You should get used to waiting for . It’ll be the sa going forward," Aaron replied—only she could hear him.
Grace’s expression turned sad. "We’re married now, and so many people are here. Do you have to be like this and embarrass in front of everyone?"
"Drop the act and get back to work," Aaron said coldly, then turned to talk to a guest who had approached them. Grace pulled herself together and resud her part as the happy bride, speaking with the guests.
Get back to work? This was just a part of his work to him, and he didn’t bother to show anything different to Grace.
-----
ira was in her room. She didn’t have to attend the wedding and go among strangers. Moreover, no one knew about her existence, and she couldn’t be introduced as the fake—or even real—daughter of the family.
Justin had decided to keep her existence hidden from the world now, for the sake of her own safety. Hiding her was his way of protecting her.
As she sat quietly, looking all sad, Lana spoke to her. "Ms. ira, you should have your dinner. You haven’t eaten anything since morning."
ira looked at her. "My brother said he wouldn’t marry that woman since he’s already married, but he had to. My sister-in-law must be sad."
"Ms. ira, Mr. Aiden has already assured you of things, and you should trust him."
"But I can’t help but feel bad for them. I feel like sohow I’m the reason, even though he told it’s not true."
Lana didn’t know how to console her and stayed quiet. Not knowing anything was good for this girl.
-----
The wedding celebration was over. The guests had left, and the Riverdale family was back at their ho. Marina had already left early after the wedding celebration, as she was simply there for formality’s sake.
Grace returned alone in the car that had been prepared for the bride and groom, which was infuriating—but she had no other choice, as Aaron had already left.
When she returned ho, Mallory was there to welco her, along with rows of servants and Aeldric sitting in his chair in the drawing room.
There was no sign of Aaron in the drawing room.
"Welco to the Riverdale family, Grace," Mallory said.
She was the only woman available in the family now, as Marina had left and there was no one else.
Before Grace could even thank her, a couple entered the drawing room—Justin and Natalie.
Aaron had returned to Justin’s Penthouse while Justin and Natalie took their usual place in this family.
Their voices were heard by others as Natalie was talking to Justin, unbothered by what was going on inside the ho. "...I hope ira likes this gift. As a sister-in-law, I should have gotten sothing for her sooner."
"She will surely like it," ca Justin’s response.
Others looked at the couple. Grace angrily glanced at Natalie, who was clinging to her husband’s hand—while this man had left his own bride alone.
Now Aeldric could tell it was Aiden and not Aaron due to Natalie’s closeness towards him. She was the only factor now that could let him know if the man was Aiden or Aaron.
Mallory couldn’t stand seeing Natalie and Justin together like this and said, "Aiden, you left your bride alone like this. Where were you?"
Justin ignored her, while Natalie said, "We went to buy a gift for ira."
"I didn’t ask you," Mallory said angrily.
"Well, I thought to save you from the embarrassing silence and the ignorance from my husband, as he sees you as nothing more than a nuisance in this house—but... you’re on your own," Natalie said, then turned to Justin. "I am going to ira’s room."
Just then, ira arrived as Lana had told her Justin and Natalie were back ho. Seeing them together, ira was happy and said, "Sister-in-law, were you coming to see ?"
Natalie smiled at her. "Yes. I got a gift for you," she said, offering a small jewelry brand bag to her. "I hope you like it."
"Of course I will," ira said.
Grace clenched her fists. Despite being the new bride, she was being ignored while all the attention was on Natalie.
"Aiden, your room is ready for your wedding night. It’s late, and you should take your wife Grace to your room," Mallory said impatiently. "Instead of wasting ti with soone else."
Justin ignored Mallory while Natalie said to ira, "Let’s go to your room and talk. It’s so noisy here."
ira nodded happily, ready to lead Natalie to her room.
Natalie was about to head toward ira’s room when Justin held her hand and said, "Where are you going? Didn’t you hear this woman saying that my room is ready for the wedding night?"
He addressed Mallory as ’this woman’, not even ’aunt’.
Natalie looked back at him coyly. "What do you plan?"
Justin lifted her in his arms. "Ti to celebrate it, and keep you awake the entire night," he said, and walked toward the staircase.
It left everyone speechless once more. This man was utterly shaless when it ca to his wife.
Reviews
All reviews (0)