Chapter 387: She Will Always Be My Mother

"Finally, it’s started," Natalie mumbled. "I wonder what Sephina’s reaction must’ve been."

"She’s left for their hometown," Justin replied.

"So she finally decided to give up," Natalie sighed. "Good for her. Now Grandpa doesn’t have to worry about her anymore."

Justin hummed in agreement, then said, "Want to see something?"

Surprised by his sudden shift, Natalie looked at him curiously and nodded.

Justin picked up an envelope placed on the center table and handed it to her. She opened it and pulled out the photo, examining the people in it—especially the two identical boys.

"Your family?" she asked.

Justin hummed again, confirming her guess.

"Which one of these two is you?" she asked.

"Try to guess," he replied.

"You two look so alike... even your expressions are the same. It’s so hard to tell," she murmured, studying the picture. "Even this tiny mole on both your chins is identical. I wonder if your mother could even tell you apart."

Justin stayed silent. He had no memories of those days.

Natalie sensed the shift in mood and quickly changed the topic.

"Even as a kid, you were so good-looking," she said, then corrected herself with a small smile, "You both look the same, but my compliment is only for you—whichever one you are in this photo."

Justin smiled at her effort to respect his possessiveness and simply hummed.

"You look like this man—your father," she added thoughtfully. "If the three of you stood side by side, he’d probably look more like your older brother than your dad."

She kept talking, mostly to herself. "And your mother... she’s so pretty. No wonder—just like your father—you fell for a pretty woman too."

She looked up at him and smiled. "Isn’t that right?"

He nodded, a smile never leaving his lips, his eyes full of affection for her. "Yes, you’re the prettiest. That’s why I fell for you."

She smiled, as if approving his words. "I’ll make sure to preserve my beauty even when we’re old, so you’ll always feel good about your choice."

He chuckled inwardly. "Even when you’re old, I’m sure you’ll be effortlessly beautiful—just like always."

She chuckled softly and happened to flip the photo over, only to notice something written on the back. She raised a brow. "Seems like this person is asking for trouble."

"That’s why I need to go there," Justin added.

Natalie understood now why he had shown her the picture. "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

There was a brief silence on her side before she asked, "How long will you be gone?"

"Not sure," he replied. "But I’ll try to make it quick."

Natalie knew how dangerous it could be, and her voice softened. "Be safe."

Justin hummed, and Natalie leaned in to hug him. "Looks like I’m going to miss you like crazy."

He hugged her back. "How about I make up for it..."

"Tonight, maybe," she cut in with a teasing smile. "I have work to do now. I only came back to have lunch with you. Time to return."

Justin grabbed her hand before she could walk away and gently pulled her back onto his lap. "Trying to run away?"

She shook her head nervously. "I just don’t want to return to the office with hickeys on my neck."

His intense gaze was fixed on her beautiful, nervous face. "How about... in other places? I’ll spare your neck."

Hearing that, she felt a wave of temptation rise in her, licking her lips unconsciously. "Well... but won’t I be late?"

"We’ll make it quick," he said, already about to push her down onto the sofa.

She quickly stopped him. "Not here."

He paused, then swept her into the bedroom.

"Wait—close the door first," she said breathlessly, trying to break free from his intense kiss as he pinned her against the wall inside the room.

He ignored her words, his hands already lifting her dress as he deepened the kiss, overwhelming her with his passion.

"At least get to the bed—"

"You said it needs to be quick. If we make it to the bed, you won’t be going back to the office," he warned, turning her around to face the wall and pressing her firmly against it.

"Justin..." she murmured, her voice trailing off.

Her protests soon melted into soft, seductive moans—the only sounds left in the room, tempting him to not let her go anywhere at all.

Some time later, when they were done, Justin helped her straighten her clothes and fix her appearance.

"I don’t think I can walk straight into the office," she said, trying to compose herself.

"Then don’t go," he replied, giving her a meaningful look through the mirror as he stood behind her, adjusting her hair.

Panicking slightly, afraid he might actually try to keep her home, she immediately stepped away. "I’m getting late. See you!"

"Your hair—"

"I’ll fix it in the car!" she called out as she rushed out the door.

Justin chuckled at her reaction. "I’m going to miss her terribly once I’m away."

----

In the evening, when Jay returned home, he didn’t find Sephina.

"Where is Mother?" he asked a servant.

"Madam hasn’t returned yet," the servant informed him.

Jay was surprised. "Mother left the office after the meeting. Where has she gone?"He immediately dialed Sephina’s number. The phone rang, but she didn’t answer. He tried a few more times, but the result was the same.

Worried, he called someone else. "Find out where my mother has gone," he ordered and hung up, his expression turning tense.

Clara came downstairs with Briena. "Do you know where my mother has gone?" Jay asked.

"I haven’t seen her since I came back after the meeting," Clara replied casually. "I’m not sure where she is."

Jay’s tone turned sharp. "She hasn’t come home and you didn’t even bother to check?"

Clara flinched at his anger. "I thought maybe she returned to the office to take care of some work before stepping down."

"You’re useless," Jay snapped, storming upstairs to his room.

Briena turned to Clara. "Where do you think she’s gone, Mom?"

"Who knows," Clara replied with a shrug. "Honestly, it’s better if she never comes back. Then this whole massive villa will be ours. Wouldn’t it be perfect if she just died from the shock of losing her position? Then we’d never have to worry again."

"Will she really die?" Briena asked, somewhat curious.

Clara sighed. "That old hag looks too tough to die anytime soon. But as long as she stays away, we’re good here."

After some time, Jay received word that Sephina had gone to her native home in the town near the city.

He was about to get ready to leave when Clara spoke up. "Jay, I don’t think it’s the right time to go see your mother."

He shot her a displeased look, only to hear her continue, "I’m saying this for your own good. She must be furious right now. If you go to her in this state, it might only worsen things between you. Let her calm down first—then go."

Jay paused, considering her words. She did have a point. After a moment, he gave up on getting ready, deciding he would visit Sephina the following day.

Clara quietly sighed in relief.

She sat on the bed next to him. "Jay, do you regret what you did?"

Jay didn’t answer, remaining silent.

Clara gently took his hand. "Briena is our only daughter. It’s our responsibility to protect her. If she was left with nothing, what would become of her? She’s still young. Mother, on the other hand, is old enough to let go of things. She can rest now. I hope you understand that everything I made you do was for your own good—and for Briena’s."

Jay pulled his hand away and lay down on the bed, turning his back to her.

"I’ll bring my mother back tomorrow," he said firmly. "And I expect her to be treated with the same respect we’ve always shown her. Despite everything, she will always be my mother."

’What a loyal dog!’ Clara clenched her jaw in frustration at Jay’s loyalty to Sephina, but she masked it with a composed tone.

"Of course, Jay. Don’t worry."

She lay down beside him, her thoughts brewing darkly.