Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother-Chapter 456: Old Friend

Serena was finally awake. Her attending doctor, along with the psychologist, visited her. The doctors informed the family that Serena’s condition could improve significantly, but she wouldn’t be entirely the same as before. There would still be limitations to her mental ability and physical strength.

The serious injuries from the past and the brain hemorrhage caused during childbirth had affected her badly.

The positive thing in all of this was that there was a chance she could come out of the entrapment of past events and might begin to recognize new people and situations around her. There was still a long way to go, with many more limitations.

But the family was happy. As long as she could recognize them, accept the current situation, and decide to be happy, it was all fine.

They allowed her to rest and gave her some time.

Marina had her eyes moist as she said, "As long as she recognizes her sons and realizes they are with her, I am sure it will bring her great relief."

"It will happen, Grandma," Natalie assured her. "We have to be a little patient."

Once Marina was calmed, Justin said, "Grandma, there is something I need to tell you."

"Yes?" the old woman asked.

"Meira," Justin said, "She is..."

"Not my granddaughter and your sister," Marina said, which shocked the others.

"You knew?" Aaron asked.

Marina hummed. "There was no way I could trust that old man, as he tortured me for years by not letting me see my granddaughter. How could he do it so easily?" she said. "Also, that girl Meira didn’t have a particular mark on her right arm that she had after her birth. I’m sure Aeldric could care less to even cover it with surgery."

"Mark?" Justin asked.

"Yes, there was a red burn-like mark on her right hand on the inside, just below the elbow. I checked, and Meira didn’t have it," Marina replied as she looked at Justin and Aaron with worry. "Where has that old man kept her? Tell me the truth... Is she even alive..." her voice turned heavy.

"We don’t know where she is, neither did that old man," Justin said and explained everything to Marina.

"Serena did it?" she asked.

"Yes. And I believe she is alive, and we will find her soon," Justin assured. "My people are on it. Once we’re back to the Imperial City, we’ll expand the search."

Marina trusted her grandsons.

----

That day, a man came to the NextEra office claiming he was Alexander’s close friend and that he was there to meet his son, Aiden Riverdale. By now, the entire eastern country—and even places outside the country—were aware of Aiden’s return, though Aaron’s existence had yet to be highlighted.

"Mr. Jude, you said you knew my father?" Justin asked as he looked at the well-dressed man in a suit, appearing to be in his early thirties.

The man looked at Justin and said, "You resemble your father a lot." Then he added, "I met him a few times when I was very young, so I can say I knew him, but not very well at the same time. However, there is someone—my father—who sent me here. He was your father’s friend."

Justin decided to believe him and waited for him to say more.

The man pushed a file in front of Justin. "You can take a look."

Justin opened the file, and the man explained, "This file includes the home your parents bought back then—the one they planned to run away to with their two kids. They had already prepared it even before you were born."

Justin saw the property documents from a small country on another continent. The file even contained pictures of Alexander signing the deal with a man slightly older than him, while Serena sat in a chair next to Alexander. Her belly was round, clearly showing she was pregnant at the time.

Both were smiling, and it looked like they were having a pleasant time with the other man.

Justin read through the file and then asked, "My father is no longer alive. Your father must know that."

The man hummed. "And my father was deeply saddened by the news. But when he heard that his son—you—was alive, he sent me here."

"What does he want?" Justin asked.

"He wants you to visit the property that still belongs to them. My father has kept it as it is to this day, in memory of his dear friends," the man informed him.

Justin understood and said, "Sure. I’ll let you know."

The both of them talked for a while as Justin got more information about the man. He didn’t find him to be any kind of threat.

When Justin returned to Marina’s home, where everyone was staying together so as not to leave the two women alone, he informed the others about it.

"What do you plan?" Aaron asked.

"I plan to visit it," Justin said.

"How about we all go there together?" Natalie asked, and they looked at her.

She explained, "See, if that home is still there and your mother sees it, it might help her recover a little faster. And we also get to see what kind of place they planned to spend their lives in. I’m truly curious and want to see it."

Marina chuckled, "So it’s all because our girl is curious."

Natalie cleared her throat awkwardly as if the thief was caught. "I...just thought you all must feel the same."

"I think Natalie is right," Aaron said, saving Natalie from embarrassment. "It might help Mother."

Justin hummed and declared, "We will visit there first and then return to the Imperial City."

Everyone agreed to it.

Natalie was overjoyed, only to have Justin’s serious voice interrupt her, "You have an appointment with the doctor. Let’s go."

She controlled her excitement and quietly followed Justin.

Marina chuckled to see Natalie and said, "I can tell my great-grandkids are going to be mischievous."

"It would be great," Aaron said, "He needs some suffering where he is helpless."

-----

Justin and Natalie returned from the hospital. Justin was quiet and sat on the sofa, while Marina and Aaron exchanged worried glances toward Natalie.

"What happened? Is everything alright?" Marina asked.

"Yes, Grandma," she assured with a smile. "The babies are fine and growing well."

"B-babies?" Marina asked in shock. "Twins?"

Natalie nodded happily. "Just like their father and uncle, my kids will be twins."

Marina and Aaron were thrilled to hear the news. But then Marina asked, "Then what’s wrong with Aiden? Why is he so silent?"

Natalie laughed and said, "Ever since he saw those two tiny pea-sized figures on the screen and heard their heartbeats, he’s been in shock. It’s like he still can’t believe those are actually his kids growing inside me." She gently placed her hand on her belly. "Not sure what he’ll do when the babies actually arrive."

Marina chuckled as well. "It’s his first time becoming a father, so let’s not tease him too much."

Aaron sat beside Justin and patted his shoulder, teasing, "It’s alright."

Justin glared at him and brushed his hand away. "Let’s see how you react when you see your own kids."

"I don’t need to. Since you’re having twins, I’ll just raise one of them," Aaron declared.

"Dream on," Justin said flatly. "Make your own effort to have kids." His gaze dropped to Aaron’s lower body, at certain part, a mocking glint in his eyes. "Put it to some use, will you? Don’t make me question whether it even functions properly."

"It’s entirely fine, and I don’t need to have kids to prove it," Aaron countered. "But I’m happy that yours worked fine, and I don’t have to worry about you as your elder brother."

Marina and Natalie widened their eyes at the bold exchange.

"Stop it, you two," Natalie said, placing her hands on her belly. "I don’t want my babies to hear your dirty talk."

Justin looked at her. "They heard all the dirty talk when they were in the process of being made. They even heard their mother saying lots of things."

Natalie’s face turned red. "You... You are truly shameless," she turned to Marina. "In the old days, didn’t they keep pregnant women away from their husbands?"

Marina nodded.

"I want to follow the old rules," Natalie said, glaring at Justin. "You’ll spoil my babies."

"You’re there to discipline them," he said smoothly. "And no old-time rules. Not gonna happen."

"You don’t get to decide everything—"

"Don’t you want to visit the place my parents bought for themselves?" Justin interrupted.

Natalie shut her mouth. "I want to."

"Then be good."

She pressed her lips into a thin line and looked at Marina, mumbling, "My mother-in-law has given birth to a Hitler."

Marina simply chuckled. "Even your mother-in-law couldn’t handle him."