Chapter 200: Your Heart Will Always Lead You Back To Me

As they lay together in bed, a comfortable silence settled around them. Natalie finally broke it, asking, "How many women have you dated—or should I say, how many have been your ’exercise machines’?"

"None." His answer was firm as he continued staring at the ceiling, just as she was.

She turned her face to look at him. "And how do I know you’re telling the truth?"

He looked back at her. "Because I’m the one saying it to you."

"Looks like I’ll never get tired of calling you a narcissist," she mumbled, turning onto her side to face him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "You must have come across plenty of good women—why haven’t you flirted with anyone else?"

He shifted onto his side to face her, meeting her gaze. "Because no one was like you. Or rather, no one was ."

"Flirt," she murmured, smiling as the atmosphere between them felt light and happy. "So, how are you so good at flirting and seducing?"

"Am I?" he asked, feigning surprise.

She hummed in response, only for him to ask, "Does that mean my flirting and seducing skills work on you?"

The smile lingered on her lips. "Maybe."

Seeing her relaxed and at ease with him, a rare side of her, he chose not to tease. He wanted to savor this peaceful moment, knowing he felt it only with her by his side.

They continued gazing at each other in silence, both wrapped in a calm that felt as if it were just for them.

After a while, Justin finally spoke, his deep voice soft. "Natalie."

She kept her gaze locked with his. "Hmm?"

His hand moved to her cheek, his fingers gently caressing it as he looked deeply into her eyes. "In the future, there might come a day when you question whether being with me is right thing for you, when doubts about us as a couple might arise. When that day comes, I want you to forget what others think and listen to what your heart truly wants. Will you do that?"

Seeing the seriousness and sincerity in his gaze, Natalie felt a sense of unease. "And what if, that day, my heart tells me to walk away from you?"

"That won’t happen," he replied confidently. "By then, your heart will always lead you back to me."

She raised an eyebrow. "So much confidence in yourself?"

"And in you," he responded, then asked softly, "Will you listen only to your heart?"

She finally relented and nodded.

Justin felt a surge of relief.

He wanted to reveal the full truth of their true relationship to her that they were step-siblings, but he knew that learning it now might cause her pain and also disappointment in her own mother. It would perhaps drive her away from him as well.

Although they were together as husband and wife for real—as per what his look-alike had claimed—he won’t be keeping her with him forcefully if she chose to leave. For now, he needed to strengthen their relationship to the extent where nothing could shake it.

In his mind, he wasn’t deceiving her, only withholding information she wasn’t yet ready to hear.

He had already decided, once Natalie was truly a part of Harper family and becomes Natalie Harper, he would no longer be Harper. He was prepared to dissolve his adoption under James Harper as his father, hand over the Harper business he managed to Natalie, even transferring all his rights and assets under him to her and break any past connection with the Harper family.

All of this, to ensure that he could have Natalie as his wife without any issues. But these things would take time as it was not something that could be done on impulse. He had to consider the feelings of James and Julia Harper.

Seeing him silent for a long moment, she finally asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Without revealing his true thoughts, he smirked slightly. "I was just thinking that if you keep staring at me like that for a bit longer, I might lose control—and then you won’t get a wink of sleep tonight."

This brought her attention back to their situation. Though the mood was relaxed and casual, they were, after all, a man and woman—and this man was actively pursuing her.

"Uh... I think it’s really late." Like a thief caught in the act, she shifted away from him and turned to face the other direction, facing her back to him. "Turn off the lights, please."

Justin reached over to turn off the lights and pulled the quilt over them both. Natalie closed her eyes, only to feel him move closer, wrapping his arm around her as he did every night. By now, his closeness had become familiar, something she expected.

But tonight, he seemed different; he nuzzled the back of her neck, planting soft kisses along it, and she heard a quiet groan. "How long do I have to keep enduring this?" he murmured, his deep, hoarse voice sending shivers down her spine.

As she stirred to move, his hand steadied her at the waist. "Don’t move," he whispered, "or you’ll be in real trouble."

Natalie swallowed hard, not daring to move, understanding exactly why he held her in place.

After a few deep breaths to calm himself, he asked what had been on his mind for some time. "Will you ever tell me about the years you spent in Xyros City? What exactly did you go through there, for you to be so defensive to any touch?"

He felt her body tense at his words.

"The way you react, I can tell there’s something you’ve been keeping to yourself," Justin continued, undeterred by her silence. "I just want you to share everything with me—not only your happiness but also your pain. I want us to face it together."

They sat in silence for a moment before Natalie finally replied, "It’s not something pleasant to talk about... or even to remember."

"Sharing it with me might help, rather than keeping it all buried," he said gently. "I want us to have a truly close, intimate relationship, but I don’t want to move forward without understanding what you’re going through and how you feel. I’m not asking you to tell me everything right now. But one day, I hope you’ll let me in. Will you?"

After a short pause, during which she seemed to consider his words, she gave a quiet hum of agreement.

Justin didn’t press her further. Instead, he simply said, "Good night."

"Good night," she whispered softly, "...Justin."

A light, contented smile crossed his lips as he closed his eyes.