Chapter 60: The Day Full Of Twists

After breakfast, as Justin was preparing to leave, Andrew spoke up. "Albert, I should head out too. Julia’s in the city, and I need to meet her."

Albert sighed, visibly reluctant to see his friend go. "Hmm, well, I can’t argue when it’s about your sister."

Natalie quickly jumped in, sensing the mood. "Grandpa, you need to return to the hospital anyway. How about I take you there while Aiden takes Grandpa Andrew with him?"

She wanted to create and opportunity for Justin and Andrew to talk and clear things.

"That seems like a good idea," and looked at Justin, "You won’t be late for work, will you, Aiden?"

"It’s no trouble," Justin replied, only to see Albert to grin with pride and say to his friend, "See? Such a respectful, dutiful young man my grandson-in-law is. Always considerate of us elders."

Andrew offered a genuine nod to it as he knew Justin in fact was a well mannered young man. The way he took care of Julia, and loved her, he had seen it in person when he visited Justin along with Julia in the other country where Justin was studying and staying.

As Justin and Andrew stepped outside together, Andrew broke the silence. "I have a car downstairs, but I think you owe me an explanation before we get there."

"How about we go to a nearby coffee house and talk, Grandpa?" Justin suggested as they entered the elevator.

Andrew glanced at him, narrowing his eyes. "Grandpa? You remember I’m your grandfather, do you?"

"I’m sorry, Grandpa," Justin replied with a polite smile. "I had to call you Mr. Andrew in front of Natalie’s grandfather."

The older man let out a deep sigh. "You’d better have a good explanation for all this. Otherwise, I’ll bring Julia here and let her see how her ’precious’ grandson has gotten himself ’married’ to an innocent girl under a fake identity."

"It’s not what it looks like, Grandpa," Justin said, keeping his voice steady. "I promise I’ll explain everything."

At the nearby coffee house, Justin explained everything to Andrew, except for one key detail—that Natalie was actually his stepsister. He wasn’t sure if Julia wanted that information revealed yet.

Instead, he recounted how Natalie had shown up with a marriage certificate bearing the name of a man who looked exactly like him. He explained how he had agreed to help her solve the mystery of this look-alike, and how they had ended up playing the role of husband and wife for the sake of her ailing grandfather, Albert.

"...Once Mr. Ford’s health improves, Natalie plans to come clean and explain everything to him," Justin finished.

Andrew thought about it, he himself felt shocked at the course of these events.

"I won’t say anything to Albert," Andrew said after a pause, "but you need to tell him soon. The longer this goes on, the harder it will be for him to accept the truth. Can’t you see how happy he is? He thinks you’re really Natalie’s husband."

"I know," Justin replied, sighing. "But I’ll leave it to Natalie. She understands her grandfather best."

"Fair enough," Andrew conceded. Then, he raised another concern. "Julia’s already in the city. If she and Albert cross paths, how are you going to handle that?"

Justin’s face tightened with anxiety. "Grandpa, you can’t let Julia meet Mr. Ford. And if they do meet, make sure I’m nowhere around," he added, visibly on edge. "She can’t find out I’m pretending to be Natalie’s husband."

Andrew raised an eyebrow, surprised at Justin’s sudden worry. "You didn’t even flinch when you saw me at Natalie’s place. But the thought of Julia finding out seems to scare the life out of you."

"It’s not about fear," Justin replied quickly. "I just don’t want her dragged into this mess."

Andrew chuckled, amused by Justin’s unusual nervousness. "If she finds out, she’ll probably understand. Just like I did. She loves you, Justin."

’She’d strangle me first,’ Justin thought grimly but said aloud, "Please, Grandpa, don’t let her know any of this."

"Alright, alright. I won’t say anything."

Justin exhaled, relieved. "Thanks. Julia’s waiting for me back at the hotel. I should head over there."

"Go ahead. I’ll manage on my own," Andrew said, giving him permission to leave.

As Justin walked away, Andrew sat in silence for a moment, musing to himself.

he thought, recalling the way they’d exchanged glances earlier—like two people genuinely in love. He sighed.

Justin arrived at the hotel, already bracing himself for what he knew would be another headache. As he stepped into the suite, he found Noah standing quietly by the side of the drawing room, while his grandmother, Julia, sat on the sofa, her expression a mixture of displeasure and impatience.

"Julia—" he started.

"Don’t even try," she cut him off sharply. "I’ve been waiting here for more than an hour. Where you?"

"I told you, I was at a friend’s home—"

"Wait," she interrupted again, standing up and eyeing him suspiciously. "Why are you dressed in such simple clothes? Where are all those expensive suits you’re always wearing?"

Justin felt a surge of frustration. He’d completely forgotten to change before coming back. How was he supposed to explain this?

Just then, Julia’s gaze narrowed at his shirt as she noticed something else. "What’s that on your shirt?" she pointed, her finger zeroing in on a faint pink smudge.

Justin looked down and spotted it too—a light print of lips, he realised it was probably from when Natalie had leaned on him almost losing her balance in sudden shock.

This reminded him of how beautiful that closeness with her felt, making him wonder how he would love to hold her like that every time she was about to fall.