Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 66: You’ve Suffered

Justin turned back to Nina Thorne, his gaze filled with concern. "I’m sorry I’m late. Are you hurt?"

Nina tilted her head up, staring blankly at his tender concern. It felt as if a corner of her heart had been pried open, and a flutter of emotion rippled through her.

She even found herself thinking.

’How wonderful would it be if all this worry and gentleness was because he loved me?’

’How happy would I be, to be loved by him?’

Not wanting to worry him, Nina quickly pushed her thoughts aside and shook her head. "I’m fine. I’m just glad you got here in time."

The tight knot in Justin’s brow finally loosened when he confirmed she was unharmed.

His hand on her shoulder tightened, and he said apologetically, "I’m sorry. I should have come up with you. You must have been frightened."

’He’s just so gentle.’

’So gentle that it felt like a feather was tracing patterns over her heart.’

"It has nothing to do with you. I just didn’t expect him to actually be lying in wait here."

Nina said, trying to reassure him, before her resentful gaze shifted to Cole.

Justin’s eyes darkened as he followed her gaze.

By now, Cole had scrambled up from the floor. He stared in shock and disbelief at Nina and Justin, who were standing as close as a couple.

"Justin Kane, do you know who she is? She’s my girlfriend, your future sister-in-law!"

Cole roared. He’d been blindsided by Justin’s punch, his tailbone slamming onto the floor. Now, the pain made him walk with an unnatural limp.

He limped toward them, step by step, demanding an explanation.

"We’ve already broken the engagement. We broke up. We’re done," Nina corrected him, looking at him with revulsion. She didn’t want to waste another breath on him.

Cole stared at her, a wounded look in his eyes as he clenched his jaw.

"How could you do this to me? Nina, you used to love me so much. Why have you changed?"

Nina watched him with cold eyes, a wave of sadness washing over her.

’I did love him before, but my love wasn’t cherished, so I took it back.’

’In this life, you don’t just love one person.’

’And you certainly don’t put your life on hold for anyone.’

Justin’s arm wrapped naturally around Nina’s waist. He stared at Cole, as if staking his claim. "You two are over."

"Now and in the future, she will have nothing more to do with you."

Justin radiated an air of dominance. After murmuring "Let’s go" to Nina, he guided her away.

Cole’s eyes were bloodshot. He limped after them. "Even if we broke the engagement, she’s still my ex-girlfriend! We’ll get back together."

"Is it really appropriate for you, my own brother, to be holding my ex-girlfriend so openly? Aren’t you afraid of being scorned by everyone?"

Cole’s eyes were bloodshot with rage, his hands clenched into tight fists. If it had been anyone but Justin, he would have already thrown a punch.

Not only was Justin the heir to the Kane Group with absolute authority, but he was also Cole’s own brother.

It was an innate, familial power dynamic.

"And why not?"

Justin’s sharp gaze was like a dagger, and a powerful, natural-born aura radiated from him.

"You should be glad we share some blood. Otherwise, I would have crippled you today."

That first statement was a clear admission of their relationship.

Rage surged in Cole’s chest. "Justin, you’re only doing all this to put me down! To stop me from managing the branch office!"

"But don’t even think about using Nina!"

Nina had the Thorne Family behind her. No matter how angry Cole was, he didn’t truly believe Justin was actually interested in Nina.

His real goal was clearly her family’s status.

Cole said angrily, "Even if you are the Kane family heir, Grandpa would never allow you to do something so morally corrupt!"

Hearing this, a murderous glint appeared in Justin’s eyes. He sneered, "Considering how recklessly you’re acting, I may have to strip you of your position as president of the branch office."

After speaking, he left with his arm around Nina’s waist.

Cole felt like he’d been struck by lightning.

His resentful, possessive, and sinister gaze followed their retreating backs as rage burned in his chest.

But Nina leaned against Justin, letting him guide her away without giving Cole so much as a sideways glance.

He finally came to his senses. Nina was serious this time. She really didn’t want him anymore.

At this thought, it felt like a knife was twisting in his heart, the pain so sharp it made him shudder.

Suddenly, he recalled what Nina had said about Serena Kane, and a glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes.

’Maybe if I investigate what happened three years ago and show Nina my sincerity, she’ll forgive me.’

He still refused to believe that Nina could really stop loving him so quickly.

「...」

But Nina really didn’t love him anymore.

Cole had a bad temper and was easily provoked, often doing things that hurt both himself and others.

Nina had experienced it before when they were together. She’d try to comfort an unhappy Cole, only for him to shove her away in his frustration, injuring her.

But back then, with her heart and eyes full of him, she was easily placated by his excuses, like "I didn’t mean it" or "You can hit me if it makes you feel better."

Now that she was clear-headed, looking back at those past events, she realized how stupid and idiotic she had been.

She should love someone who is inherently good, not someone who, in the heat of passion, throws her scraps of kindness.

As soon as they returned to the hotel, Justin watched Nina walk a few steps ahead. Seeing how small, thin, and fragile she looked, he suddenly strode forward and hugged her from behind.

"Nina,"

Justin rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice raspy. "You suffered tonight."

Nina froze, not expecting him to suddenly make such a move.

She especially hadn’t expected him to be so self-reproachful.

"I’m really fine. You came just in time tonight. Cole didn’t get a chance to hurt me."

Her heart beat faster as she told him the truth.

When she was facing Cole, there was even a moment when she believed with all her heart that Justin would come to save her.

Although, she really wanted to save herself.

But the difference in strength between a man and a woman was just too great; it wasn’t that simple.

"I didn’t handle it well enough this time. I’ll make sure to do better," Justin promised in a hoarse voice, his arms tightening around her.

Nina’s head was spinning.

If this continued, it would be really hard to stay rational and not fall in love with someone so gentle and good.

Nina broke free from his embrace, turned to face him, and smiled sweetly. "Justin, you’ve already done so well, really. Being married to you... it’s a pretty good experience."

She said it sincerely, as if she truly meant it.

At her words, the darkness in Justin’s eyes seemed to coalesce into a starry sky, a clear light shining within them.

’As long as she thinks it’s good.’

He just hoped to see her happy, as bright and carefree as she once was.

「...」

Nina and Justin took a flight back to Sylport the next afternoon.

By the time they returned to the villa, it was already seven in the evening.

Justin must have given instructions in advance. Miss King had a hot meal and some stewed soup waiting for them.

Nina and Justin ate facing each other. The soft light fell between them, creating a very harmonious and beautiful atmosphere.

Nina couldn’t help but look up, secretly sizing him up.

His features were handsome and distinct. He wore a white shirt with the top two buttons undone, exuding an air of casual laziness.

"What do you think?"

Justin suddenly looked up, his lips curling into a teasing smile as he met her gaze. "So, what’s the verdict? Are you satisfied with this face of mine, Nina?"

"..."

Nina’s face suddenly grew hot with embarrassment and shyness.

’So embarrassing.’

Seeing her embarrassed expression, Justin chuckled. "Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Hurry up and eat. It’s been a long day. After dinner, take a shower and get some rest."

He was so consistently gentle that Nina was starting to forget the ice-cold man he used to be.

"Okay." Nina nodded obediently.

’I really should get some rest.’

「...」

That night, Nina went to bed early and slept soundly.

She didn’t wake up until noon the next day.

When she went downstairs, Miss King, following Justin’s instructions, had her eat a bowl of nourishing soup.

Miss King said with a beaming smile, "The president is so good to you, Madam. It’s truly enviable. Seeing this makes an old woman like me want to fall in love."

Nina chuckled. "You’re quite the joker, Miss King."

"I’m not joking," Miss King said earnestly. "This is the first time I’ve ever seen the president treat a woman so well. I remember back when he was still living with the Kanes, he was very cold even to Miss Serena—and she’s his own sister. She never received this kind of treatment."

Miss King used to serve at the Kane Family’s villa, so she naturally knew a lot about what went on there.

But Nina didn’t say much more to Miss King.

’After all, Miss King can only see the surface. Justin is indeed good to me, very good...’

’He’s probably just taking care of me out of a husband’s sense of duty.’

’Unfortunately, that’s all it is.’

’There’s no love.’

A wave of disappointment washed over Nina’s heart, but she didn’t dwell on it.

After she finished eating, Felicia Yates called. "In two days, it’s the Lawson family matriarch’s birthday banquet. You’re coming with me."

Her tone was lukewarm, almost a command.

Nina refused decisively. "I have something else, so I won’t be going."

As if expecting her to say that, Felicia Yates snorted. "Weren’t you in a hurry to break the engagement and cut ties with my son? This is your chance."

Nina hesitated. Remembering how Felicia had drugged her at the restaurant last time, alarm bells went off in her head.

"The annulment papers are already signed. There’s no need for that."

Felicia Yates snapped, "Everyone in our circle knows you as my younger son’s fiancée. Mr. Kane himself specifically instructed us to take this opportunity and clarify your relationship."

"I’ll think about it." Nina neither agreed nor refused.

’But publicly announcing the broken engagement is a good thing.’

’In the future, even if my marriage to Justin becomes known, it will reduce the gossip.’

’It would prevent people from making a big deal out of it and doing things that could harm the group.’

「...」

Eleven o’clock at night.

Nina was still awake, specifically waiting for Justin to come back.

Justin gently pushed the door open and entered the room. Seeing her still sitting on the bed, he was slightly surprised. "You’re not asleep yet?"

"Mhm, I was waiting for you," Nina replied naturally, without thinking.

A strange light flickered in Justin’s dark eyes, and he quickly walked to the side of the bed.

"Do you not like me going to these business functions?"

Before Nina could say anything, Justin took the initiative to explain, "Mr. Wagner’s team came over from Vistara. We’ll be continuing negotiations on the new energy project for the next few days. We’re almost done, and I’ll come back as early as I can to be with you after that."

His voice was deep and magnetic, like the drawn strings of a cello, very comforting to the ear.

Nina was surprised.

’I wouldn’t try to control Justin. After all, he’s the head of the group; it’s normal for him to have a lot of work.’

’But I didn’t expect him to take the initiative to explain things to me.’

’In this regard, he’s more than just ’qualified’.’

"What’s wrong?"

Seeing her fall silent, Justin worriedly touched her forehead. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Nina’s heart stirred. Her small hand reached out and grabbed his large one. "Justin Kane, why are you so good to me?"

Her eyes looked straight at him, and she suddenly grew playful, half-joking, "Come on, be honest. You’ve liked me for a while, haven’t you? You’ve been plotting to get me, right?"