Chapter 191: Another Meeting With The Lookalike

"There is a reason," the man replied, "but as usual, you’ll get no answers until what I need is fulfilled."

"You’re your mother’s son. Aren’t you a match?" Justin asked, studying him closely.

"I must have taken after my father, not being a perfect match," the man replied calmly, his neutral gaze revealing nothing.

Like Justin, he was hard to read, his expression unwavering.

"So, a year and a half ago, you came to this city, approached Natalie to get her blood samples, and even registered her marriage," Justin said, his tone steady though his eyes betrayed a flicker of restrained anger.

The lookalike met his gaze without flinching. "I told you, the name on her marriage certificate is yours, not mine, "

The way the man repeatedly addressed him as Aiden stirred something in Justin—a strange familiarity. He didn’t find the name foreign, which made him wonder if he was truly forgetting something important.

"You needed her blood; that much I understand. But why did you register her marriage?" Justin pressed, ignoring the implication that it was somehow his name on the certificate.

"Just know that you are her husband and not me," the man answered calmly. "Knowing how protective you are to her, I am sure you are happy to be her husband, isn’t it?"

Justin ignored his question, not willing to let out anything and asked. "Does that mean you used my name to register your marriage with Natalie thinking I am no more and used the fact that we lookalike so there won’t be an issue while doing so?" Justin looked into his eyes straight, "And even if she found you one day, you wouldn’t be Aiden Handrix as your real name is different and you wouldn’t be in any trouble. Were you planning to keep her wondering about her husband all her life? Is that your hate towards her and you want to punish her for something?"

"Care, it’s my care towards her," the man finally showed a reaction, though he kept his cool, "She was better married to some unknown man that marrying to that Ivan Brown."

"Why didn’t you want her to marry Ivan Brown?" Justin asked.

"Ask her grandpa," The man replied. "Her grandpa might answer you."

It surprised Justin. "What do you mean?"

"I have already answered you enough," the man declared.

There was a sudden silence between the two.

After a while, Justin broke the silence. "How do you expect her not to find out? She’d have to go through surgery; she’ll know."

"You’re a powerful, resourceful man," the man replied smoothly. "I trust you’ll figure it out."

Justin almost scoffed. "Unless you want her surgical wound to magically heal in a day?"

"That’s your problem to solve," the lookalike replied. "I don’t care what lie you come up with, as long as she doesn’t know the truth."

Justin studied him in silence, realizing that this man wasn’t about to give up any additional information.

"We need to know who she’d be donating her bone marrow to. Your mother’s name," Justin demanded.

The man paused, clearly reluctant, but finally said, "You can call her Ms. Shaw."

"

" Justin raised a brow.

"She’s not particularly fond of her husband and his last name," the man replied. "On that note, you may call me Mr. Shaw as well. I prefer my mother’s surname as well."

Justin took mental note of this and then heard the man add, "I told you my name. Shouldn’t you return the favor and tell me the identity you’re using now?"

"You called me Aiden Handrix, didn’t you? Just continue with that," Justin replied coolly. "You’re keeping plenty of secrets from me, so it’s only fair for me to keep at least one."

The man chuckled. "I wonder how long you can keep it up. A man like you can’t stay hidden for long."

"You’ve hidden yourself well. The world doesn’t know about you, so I expect I’ll manage the same," Justin countered. "Unless I want it otherwise, no one will know."

The man studied him, a faint smile appearing. "I like that you’re still the same. I’ll be waiting for the day when you know the truth. We won’t be strangers then; we’ll be... who we used to be."

Justin stayed silent, finally asking, "Why do you look exactly like me? Are we twins?"

The man chuckled. "Didn’t your parents tell you if you were born alone or in a pair?"

Justin couldn’t answer this as James Harper was not his real father. But he could not tell this fact to this man. But the way this man asked whether his parents told him if he was born single, that made Justin clear of the fact that this man was not aware of his adoption. If he was and they were truly twins, he wouldn’t ask it anymore.

"Plastic surgery?" Justin asked coolly. "Did you have it done to look like me? But if no one knows about me, how did you choose this face?"

The man sighed. "You’re always so curious and impatient, Aiden. This time, let’s test your patience. It’s only a week—though it all still depends on you and how much I want to reveal it to you."

"You talk like you know me well," Justin replied, studying him. "Like we’ve spent time together."

"We were close once, like shadows," the man replied with a nostalgic glint in his eyes. "You don’t know how good it is to see you again. But that doesn’t mean I’ll tell you anything now. My mother comes first."

"I’d like to meet her," Justin proposed.

"I told you her name; that’s more than enough. Moreover she hates this city and people here, so there is no chance for you to meet her," the man responded firmly, letting it out that how protective he was towards his mother. "Nothing more until you do what I asked. Aiden. I’ve explained why I need Natalie. Now, it’s your turn to keep the bargain and bring her where I say."

Justin’s jaw clenched as he glared at him.

"I give you my word, she won’t be harmed," the man assured him. "A quick procedure, and she’ll be back with you. There’s no benefit for me in hurting her. Instead, she would be a saviour of my mother."

Justin rose. "I’ll let you know," he said, turning toward the door. He knew by now this man wouldn’t be answering any more questions, so staying was pointless.

As Justin reached the door, the man called after him, "You didn’t say no, so that means you’ll bring her."

Justin didn’t answer and left. His fists clenched as he approached his car, suppressing the frustration he was feeling inside. There was even no way to blackmail or to torture that man to get the truth out.

Justin had the knack of understanding the people and as much he understood this lookalike of his, Justin could tell he was afraid of nothing. If things won’t happen in his way, that man would rather die and leave the enemies in a lifetime of a dilemma, not revealing anything at all.

’That Bastard!’ Justin cursed in his mind and sat inside the car to leave.

The lookalike came out as well. He watched Justin’s car disappearing from his sight.

’I never thought we would meet this way, Aiden, and we would be like strangers instead of....’ He shook his head and sat in his own car. ’But I am happy that you are alive.’