Chapter 126: Praise And Reward From A Husband

Justin adjusted the blanket over Julia and walked out of the room with Natalie, closing the door softly behind him.

"Are you alright?" he asked her.

"Hmm," she nodded, but he was already holding her hand, inspecting the small cuts on the back of her palm—likely caused when they shattered the car’s glass. "Doesn’t look like it to me."

"It’s nothing," Natalie tried to pull her hand away, but Justin held it firmly, his gaze turning serious. She stayed silent as he guided her to the master bedroom. He made her sit on the bed, then went to the chest of drawers and pulled out a first aid kit.

"How did that end up here..."

"I brought it, knowing you have a knack of getting hurt all the time," he replied, settling on the bed beside her.

He opened the kit and gestured for her hand. Although displeased by his words, she complied. Justin carefully began disinfecting the tiny scratches, expecting her to flinch at the sting, but Natalie remained calm, as if she felt nothing at all.

"Most people would react to that sting," he commented.

"I’ve been taking care of my own wounds since I was a kid," she answered quietly.

Justin looked at her, but there was no feeling of hurt in her eyes, as if she was used to the loneliness she had been feeling since young.

He knew that feeling well, as he had been nothing but lonely all his life and had been haunted by some strange nightmares.

"Was it bearable? The loneliness?" he asked, focusing on applying ointment to each scratch gently and carefully.

"You get used to it over the time....that..." she trailed off.

"...now it feels strange to have people around," he finished what she couldn’t put into words.

Natalie could only nod silently, but he spoke again. "I know that feeling all too well."

"You were lonely, too? But you have such a good grandmother—and maybe other family members as well."

"Everyone has their own different struggles," he replied.

Natalie watched his serious expression. It might have been the first time they were discussing something so personal.

Justin finished applying the ointment to her hand. "Now you have me. You won’t feel lonely anymore."

His words touched her heart. She wanted to remind him that he wasn’t her real husband and that this would all end eventually, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. Instead, a different thought crossed her mind.

"I’m sorry for forgetting our deal and not going to the police station to file a complaint. Tomorrow I’ll—"

"There’s no need," he interrupted her firmly, his gaze reassuring. "I have more reliable ways of handling it. You don’t have to worry."

His determined look silenced her questions, but she couldn’t help asking, "After we find him, what happens next?"

"There won’t a next for him," Justin replied coldly, his gaze and tone sending shivers down her spine.

"We need to know "We will," he said, then added, "Are you hurt anywhere else?"

Natalie shook her head.

"Good. Then all that’s left is your praise and your reward."

"Huh?"

Justin stood up, placed the first aid box back in its place, and said, "I watched the video of what you did. You told your ex that your husband would praise you and even reward you for it." He closed the drawer and turned to look at her.

Natalie’s face flushed slightly at her own words, embarrassed. In that situation, those words had come out as her natural reflex.

"I must say, everything you said was spot on about me. I’m surprised to see how well you know me in such a short time," he added, walking back to her.

"I... at that moment...," she stammered, feeling lost for words.

Justin stood in front of her and gently patted her head. "You did well. That’s exactly how you deal with nasty people. If you’d come back without a proper retort, I would have sent you right back to them to take revenge for Julia and yourself. I’m glad you’re smart enough on your own do it already."

At that moment, Natalie felt like a child being instructed by a strict teacher—praise mixed with a hint of threat. She wondered what kind of man he really was. Was he truly that sophisticated businessman, or was there something far more dangerous beneath the surface?

Seeing her look up at him wordlessly at his praising, as if assessing him, Justin smirked and leaned down, his face drawing closer to hers. Startled, Natalie instinctively moved back while sitting on the bed.

But Justin didn’t budge. He held her gaze with an unwavering intensity. "So, my wife, what do you want as a reward from your husband?"

’I’m not your wife,’ she wanted to scream, but she was the one who had called him that in front of Ivan. "Nothing. I didn’t do it for any reward. That was just a way of—"

Before she could finish, a pair of warm lips brushed gently against her forehead, freezing her in place. The rest of her words died in her throat.

After a few moments, Justin pulled away and looked into her shocked eyes. "For now, this reward is enough. The rest... you’ll get later when you do something even more commendable."

Her eyes widened, and her mind silently screamed, But no words came out of her mouth.

Justin stepped back, amused by her reaction. A light smirk played on his lips as he ruffled her hair, as if she were a child.

Just then, Natalie’s phone rang. It was Ella.

Natalie answered the call, only to hear Ella’s panicked voice on the other end. "Ms. Natalie, where have you been?"

"What’s wrong?" Natalie replied, glancing at the screen to see several missed calls from Ella. She’d been too occupied taking care of Julia to check her phone.

"It’s been three hours, and Victor is making the entire team wait for the photoshoot. He says he won’t take a single picture until you show up," Ella informed urgently.

Natalie felt utterly helpless. She knew how stubborn Victor could be.

"Alright, I’ll be there soon," Natalie said, ending the call.

"Is there a problem?" Justin asked, his gaze steady.

Natalie shook her head slightly. "Nothing major, but I need to head out. Can you stay here with Grandma and work from here instead?"

Justin nodded in agreement, and Natalie stood up to leave. Just as she turned, Justin reached out and held her hand, making her stop and look back at him.

"What is it?" she asked.

"When will you be back?"

"Probably by evening."

"Don’t be too late," he said before letting her hand go.

Natalie sat in the car, finally inhaled deeply for what she was holding back. She touched her forehead where Justin’s lips touched her skin. She count still feel that strange feeling and touch on her skin.

’What does he mean by that and then ’Rest’? This man is getting more dangerous with each passing day. It’s as if, with each passing day, I get to see one more side of his and always makes my heart flutter.’