Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 145: Birthday

She took a breath, her palms clenching into fists, and prepared to push the door open.

She was going to demand what exactly he thought he was doing.

Just then, Justin Kane’s restrained fury came from inside. "If you’re sick, go get help."

Inside the fitting room, April Graham stopped laughing. Her eyes were red as she glared at him. "Even if I am sick, you’re the one who drove me to it."

He had said that after losing the person he loved, he would never compromise and date another woman.

So she waited five years for him.

But five years later, he was messing around with his own brother’s ex-girlfriend.

To her, this was the ultimate insult.

She was filled with hate!

"You’d better get out of here right now. Don’t let Nina Thorne see you!" Justin Kane warned coldly.

April Graham laughed sinisterly. "I refuse to leave. What are you going to do about it? He’s my man. What right does she have to him? I won’t let her get away with this!"

Justin Kane’s brow tightened, his patience gone. He grabbed her by the throat. "Then listen to me. It’s not that she stole me from you. It’s that I finally have her."

Nina Thorne’s pupils dilated slightly, her hand frozen in mid-air.

’What does Justin Kane mean by that?’

’Could it be...’

"Justin Kane!"

April Graham broke down, crying as she demanded, "Then what about me? What am I to you?"

His voice devoid of warmth, Justin Kane answered flatly, "A mistake. If I had known you’d be this much trouble, I would have rather died that day than have you take that knife for me."

April Graham felt her mind BUZZ, as if she’d been struck by lightning.

Tears streamed down her face. "What did you say?" she asked in agony. "You... you hate me that much?"

"You’re the one who shouldn’t have interfered between her and me."

Justin Kane’s expression was glacial. His deep eyes were as black as ink, and the aura around him was terrifyingly cold.

"If you dare hurt her, I will kill you!"

April Graham burst into hysterical laughter and tears.

"Fine! Fine!"

"Justin Kane, since you’ve put it that way, I’m dying to see what you’ll do if I kill her."

April Graham, having lost control, shoved Justin Kane away and ran out, crying.

Nina Thorne was still standing outside the door. She had no time to move and came face-to-face with her.

When April Graham saw her, she lunged. "Bitch! You dare steal my man? Go to hell!"

Nina Thorne was horrified.

She instinctively stumbled back, but her back hit a mannequin in a wedding dress. Before she could react, April Graham charged forward and tackled her to the ground.

She wrapped her hands tightly around Nina’s neck, screaming hysterically, her face twisted and savage.

"Die, you bitch!"

"Only when you’re dead will there be no one to compete with me."

Nina Thorne’s neck was squeezed so tightly she felt herself begin to suffocate.

She hadn’t expected April Graham to be so strong. Unable to break free, her hands flailed about, grabbed something, and without a second thought, she swung it.

"AHH!"

April Graham shrieked in pain and fell straight backward.

Justin Kane came out of the fitting room and took in the entire scene at a glance.

Red marks were already appearing on Nina Thorne’s neck. She was holding a mannequin’s arm, her face deathly pale.

"She... she was trying to kill me..."

Nina Thorne’s voice trembled uncontrollably. She sat up, rubbing her neck.

When she looked up, she nearly died of fright.

April Graham was lying in a pool of blood, seemingly unconscious. The viscous liquid was starkly visible on the glossy floor.

The thick smell of blood filled the air.

Nina Thorne was scared speechless, her face so pale it was as if all the blood had drained from it.

"Don’t be afraid..."

Justin Kane quickly knelt beside her, pulling her head into his chest and comforting her in a soft voice.

"Don’t look. I’m here. I’ll handle this."

Nina Thorne trembled in his arms, clutching his collar. "Is... is she going to die?"

Justin Kane’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He furrowed his thick brows, suppressing the darkness in his eyes, and shifted his body to completely block her view.

"Nina Thorne, calm down. I’m here. Don’t be scared."

He soothed her as he took out his phone and called Assistant Cheney.

Assistant Cheney arrived quickly and was shocked by the scene.

But he didn’t dare delay, immediately calling an ambulance to take April Graham to the hospital.

After something like this, today’s wedding photoshoot was definitely off.

Justin Kane instructed the driver to take her back to the villa.

Nina Thorne, afraid she had killed someone, unconsciously gripped his hand. "Will she die?"

The scene felt familiar.

But last time, he had also stayed by her side just like this, comforting her, giving her a much-needed shot of courage.

"No, she won’t. Don’t worry."

Justin Kane stroked her head a few times, then bent down to kiss her forehead, his deep voice reassuring her over and over.

"Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ve got your back."

Nina Thorne stared at him blankly, her heart aching with regret.

He treated her so well, yet she had almost distrusted him several times.

She threw her arms around him, not wanting to go back alone.

"Are you going to the hospital? I’ll go with you." Nina Thorne clung to him, refusing to let go.

Although she despised April Graham, she was terrified something terrible had really happened.

’I’d be a murderer.’

Justin Kane rubbed her head, his heart aching for her. "I know you can’t rest easy..."

"How about this? I’ll go back with you. Just don’t go to the hospital."

Nina Thorne was surprised. "But she..."

"It’s fine. Ben Cheney already went with her. He’ll call me if anything happens." Justin Kane patted her on the back.

From the moment it happened until now, he hadn’t uttered a single word of blame.

Instead, he had been gently comforting her, terrified that she would be scared.

A warmth spread through Nina Thorne’s heart. She nodded meekly. "Okay."

Later, escorted by Justin Kane, Nina Thorne returned to the villa. On the way back, her emotions had stabilized.

Tainted with the smell of blood, she went to take a shower.

When she came out, Justin Kane wasn’t in the room.

So she went to the study to look for him.

The study door was ajar, open just a crack.

Conveniently, Justin Kane was inside on the phone. "As long as she’s okay. Keep a close eye on her."

After giving the stern instruction, he hung up.

Nina Thorne knocked and pushed the door open.

Justin Kane turned to look, then strode over to her. "Feel better after your shower?"

"Much better."

Nina Thorne looked up at him. "How is she?"

"She has a head wound, but it’s not fatal. She’s out of danger now. Can you relax?"

Justin Kane cupped her face in his hands, his adoring gaze fixed on her as a smile played on his thin lips.

"Don’t worry too much. Get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow night is my birthday, and you need to be well-rested so you can look beautiful and stun everyone."

"I want everyone to see how wonderful and beautiful my Mrs. Kane is."

As he spoke, his voice was magnetic and gentle, yet it seeped into her heart like a summer rain.

The anxiety that had gripped Nina Thorne’s heart finally subsided, replaced by a spreading warmth. She opened her arms and hugged him.

"Justin Kane, I’m so glad you were here today."

She felt guilty. "But we couldn’t take our wedding photos, and I caused so much trouble."

"See? There you go with that bad habit again."

Justin Kane lightly tapped her forehead. "What happened today was self-defense. You did nothing wrong. If we can’t take the photos today, we’ll just reschedule."

His voice was low and husky as he gently coaxed her, "Nina Thorne, no matter what happens, don’t blame yourself."

Nina Thorne was deeply moved. She hugged him tighter and nodded vigorously in his embrace.

Overcome with emotion, she said, "Justin Kane, I have a gift for you tomorrow night, and there’s something I want to tell you."

She wasn’t just going to give him a gift; she was going to formally confess her feelings to him.

Before, she might have worried about him having someone else in his heart, or even minded his entanglement with April Graham.

But after today, she knew for certain that his protection of her was real.

’I want to hold on to him tightly and never let go.’

"What is it that has to wait until tomorrow night?"

Justin Kane chuckled and kissed her forehead again. "Since Mrs. Kane insists, I suppose I’ll have to wait patiently."

Nina Thorne could feel what it was like to be cherished, and her heart instantly filled with sweetness.

But she wasn’t completely swept away. She released him from her hug and asked seriously about what happened earlier. "Why did April Graham come looking for you at the bridal shop today? Justin Kane, you weren’t lying to me before, were you?"

"Is there really nothing between you and April Graham?"

If she didn’t get a clear answer, she wouldn’t be able to rest easy.

Justin Kane raised three fingers and said earnestly, "I swear, my relationship with April Graham is completely platonic. There are no romantic feelings whatsoever. If I’m lying, may I lose the person I love most in this life. Do you believe me now?"

Nina Thorne quickly pulled his hand down, chiding him. "I was just asking. There’s no need to swear an oath."

Justin Kane tapped her nose. "I just want you to know that our marriage is exactly what I want."

"Nina Thorne, I hope that no matter what happens, you will always trust me, okay?"

His dark eyes, deep as ink, gazed into hers, full of hope.

Nina Thorne froze, staring back at him in a daze.

Looking into his deep, dark eyes, she felt an indescribable emotion as her heart began to beat faster.

Following her heart, she subconsciously nodded. "Okay."

A relaxed smile immediately appeared on Justin Kane’s handsome face. "Thank you, Mrs. Kane."

"You’re welcome." Nina Thorne couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile along with him.

Around eight o’clock that night, Justin Kane received a call from Assistant Cheney.

It seemed April Graham had woken up and was demanding to see him.

Nina Thorne knew the situation with April Graham was a problem. "You should go. Some things just have to be dealt with."

"You’re not jealous?"

Justin Kane was surprised, tapping the side of her nose.

Nina Thorne laughed. "What, are you testing me? I said I trust you, and I meant it. Go on."

"You truly are my Mrs. Kane. So wonderful."

Justin Kane kissed the back of her hand and, before leaving, told her to rest well.

Nina Thorne obediently agreed, not worried in the slightest that he would do anything with April Graham to betray her.

As soon as Justin Kane left, Miss King brought in the Calming Soup, saying that he had specifically asked her to make it.

Miss King added enviously, "Mr. Kane is so attentive to all of your needs, Ma’am. It’s enough to make anyone jealous."

Nina Thorne’s eyes curved into a smile as she replied openly, "He really is wonderful, Miss King. After tomorrow night, everyone will know we’re together."

"Congratulations to Mr. Kane and you, Ma’am. Mr. Kane is finally getting his wish," Miss King said with sincere blessing.

After finishing the soup, Nina Thorne smiled and said thank you.

Perhaps it was the effect of the Calming Soup, but she fell asleep early that night.

When she woke up the next day, Nina Thorne began preparing for that evening’s banquet.

After arranging everything, she took the gift she had for him and the gown she would wear that night and went to the hotel early.

When she got to the dressing room, she eagerly sent Justin Kane a WeChat message: "I’m here, about to get my makeup done. Come over as soon as you’re free."

After sending it, she put down her phone and began her makeup.

By the time she had finished her makeup and changed into her gown, it was almost eight o’clock.

But she noticed Justin Kane still hadn’t replied to her message, and she couldn’t help but worry.

’Did something happen?’

Just then, the makeup artist praised her, "Miss Thorne, you look so beautiful in this gown. It’s as if it were tailor-made for you."

Nina Thorne lowered her gaze and smiled. "Thank you."

The makeup artist then asked curiously, "Hasn’t Mr. Kane arrived yet? We’ve already ironed his suit."

"He should be on his way. Let’s wait a little longer," Nina Thorne explained with a smile, growing nervous and excited at the thought of publicly announcing their relationship soon.

After the makeup artist left, Nina Thorne asked a server and learned that most of the guests had arrived.

She tried calling Justin Kane, but the call wouldn’t go through. She sent another WeChat message: "Why isn’t your phone connecting?"

"I’m in the dressing room. Hurry up and come."

After sending it, she waited quietly for another ten-odd minutes, but there was still no sign of Justin Kane.

Her heart suddenly grew anxious. ’Could it be... he’s not coming?’

’No!’

’We made plans last night. He’ll definitely come.’

Nina Thorne forced herself not to overthink it and called Justin Kane again, but once more, the call failed to connect.

Nina Thorne grew increasingly flustered and uneasy, only then realizing they hadn’t been in contact at all since last night.

’Did something really happen?’

Nina Thorne quickly decided to call Ben Cheney.

Just then, a set of footsteps approached from outside the dressing room, and the door was pushed open.

’It must be Justin Kane.’

Hearing the sound, Nina Thorne looked excitedly toward the door, but her expression froze in an instant.