Chapter 49: Drama Queen Natalie

"Did you two have a fight, or is something else going on?" Albert’s expression turned grave, his tone serious.

"Mr. Ford..."

"Grandpa, why are you up so early?" Natalie called out as she quickly emerged from her room, her heart racing.

She had heard the familiar sound of her grandfather’s cane tapping against the floor and was alerted even in her sleep.

The old man turned to look at her, "Why is Aiden sleeping outside?"

Natalie gulped nervously, "G-Grandpa, we happened to fight last night."

Frowned lines appeared on his forehand. "What kind of fight would be so serious that you’d make him sleep out here on that tiny sofa? You two should be acting like any newlyweds—loving each other and forgiving mistakes easily,"

"That... Grandpa... I..."

"Go sit there," Albert instructed, pointing to the spot on the sofa where Justin was sitting.

Natalie obediently sat in the other corner of the sofa, instead of sitting close to Justin. She sat on the edge, her legs tightly clamped together, her hands clasped nervously in her lap, clearly anxious.

Justin noticed it, but didn’t intervene. If it was before he would have done something but after last night how defensive she acted against his presence, he didn’t even want to be close to her. ’

Albert’s frown deepened as he observed how far Natalie had sat from Justin, as if he were a stranger. Her nervous behaviour only added to his concern. He settled into a chair opposite them, his expression serious. "Let’s have a serious talk."

About what, Grandpa?" Natalie asked, her voice shaky, fearing that her lie might be uncovered.

While Justin sat relaxed, his back straight, one leg crossed over the other, ready to see how she would handle the situation.

"Natalie, answer me honestly," Albert said, his gaze piercing.

"Yes, Grandpa?"

"Do you truly not love Aiden? Are you forcing yourself into this marriage for my sake, even though it was a mistake?"

Natalie was stunned by her grandfather’s words. Should she admit the truth now? Would he be able to handle it? As she hesitated, she saw the distress in Albert’s face, his hand moving to his heart as he inhaled deeply.

"Tell me if it’s the truth. If it is, then you don’t have to force yourself. Marriage is not a game for you to play."

The words of truth were almost ready to spill out, but seeing the pain in his eyes, she hesitated. "No, Grandpa, it’s not that..."

"You still love Ivan, don’t you?" Albert asked bluntly.

Justin who was quiet till now, his eyes flickered at it.

he thought bitterly.

Unknown to him, his hand resting over the handrest of the sofa, gripped it tightly.

"No, Grandpa," Natalie’s voice firm. "Why would you think that? I have nothing to do with Ivan anymore, and I don’t feel anything for him at all."

"I don’t believe you."

Albert’s words left her speechless. Her grandpa believed her lies but denied the only truth she told just now.

Albert continued, "I know you loved Ivan for many years. It’s difficult to forget someone easily. But don’t worry, your grandfather is here. I still have enough power to make that boy kneel in front of you and beg for your return."

"Grandpa, no..."

"I’m not done yet," Albert interrupted her, his gaze shifting to Justin. "Aiden."

Justin met his gaze, his expression unreadable.

Albert continued, "Till now, I used to think you talked less because that’s just your personality. But now I realized it’s becasue you’re pretending to be with Natalie for my sake, aren’t you? You’re a good man, and you don’t want to hurt this old man, so you’ve kept up the act."

Albert’s expression was resolute but his eyes were sad. "I was glad that Natalie could be with a man like you, but it seems you both think otherwise. I won’t be the reason you two are forced together anymore. You can get a divorce and go your own way."

He turned to Natalie, his eyes turned moist, his hand over his chest tightening. "I will talk to that Ivan boy."

Natalie quickly stood up and rushed to Albert’s side, gently taking his hand in hers to calm him. "Grandpa, please calm down. It’s not what you think. I truly love Aiden. But last night, we ended up fighting over something silly, and it’s all his fault."

Justin’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at him, clearly not expecting her to turn the tables like this.

She pulled out a sad face. "Grandpa, we’re newly married, and he’s planning to go on a business trip for half a month. Now, you tell me, is it right for him to leave me when I need him the most? You always said, ’What work can be more important than a wife?’ but my husband seems to think otherwise."

Justin was speechless. She was the one who had insisted he go on the business trip, and now she was making it sound like it was his idea.

"Grandpa, am I wrong to want to be with him more?" Natalie pressed on, fully leaning into her role. "How are we going to get closer if he stays away from me? This home, all of this—what is it for? For me to live alone?" She turned into a typical, unhappy wife, airing her grievances.

’What an actor?’ Justin sighed inwardly.

"Are you telling the truth?" Albert asked with concern.

Natalie nodded, her face looked pitifully sad that tugged at Albert’s heartstrings.

"Grandpa, when you’re here, I want him to be here too, so we can spend time together as a family. I’ve always been alone. Is it wrong to wish for a family of my own?"

"Absolutely not," Albert squeezed her hand gently. "My Natalie deserves everything she dreams about." He then turned his gaze to Justin, his tone soft but firm. "Can you not go on this business trip? Look how sad your wife is. If a wife is sad, a man can never be happy."

Natalie turned to Justin, her eyes pleading. "Please don’t go. I would miss you terribly." Inside she prayed him to get a hint and go with what she said.

Justin should have been annoyed at her for twisting the story and putting all the blame on him. But seeing her act this way—vulnerable and cute—his earlier displeasure melted away. "Alright." His tome was dismissive as if giving up in front of her.

"Yes!" she cheered, turning to Albert. "Grandpa, thank you. Because of you, he’s finally staying."

"As long as it makes you happy, I’d do anything—even kneel and beg him to stay."

Natalie shook her head, laughing softly. "You don’t have to do that, Grandpa. My husband would never let an elderly man kneel in front of him."

Albert chuckled warmly. "It’s good to hear you talk like this about him," he turned to Justin. "Thank you for not making her sad, Aiden."

Justin simply offered a light nod as he could never be a drama queen like his fake wife.

Albert stood up, stretching slightly. "I’m going to head downstairs for a walk. I noticed there’s a nice garden."

"Grandpa, let me come with you," Natalie quickly stood up.

"There’s no need. Stay here and talk with your husband," Albert insisted.

"But alone, you can’t—"

"Don’t worry about me," he dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand. He left the house, leaving the two of them alone.

The deadly silence enveloped the room, while Natalie hesitated to even look at Justin.

The previous night she told him to leave her home, and now she had to beg him to stay.

She bit her lower lip nervously and she turned to face him, wanting to drown herself somewhere deep down in the water to hide this embarrassment.