?


    Justin clenched hisrge hand at his side, trembling slightly, as his handsome face darkened in the dim light. After a moment of silence, Grant smiled faintly and brushed past Justin, ignoring his tense expression.


    "Grant, I''ve always looked up to you since we were kids," Justin said, his voice hoarse as he spoke with his back to Grant. "There are some things I''m willing topromise on, but others I simply cannot."


    Grant nced over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Like what?"


    "I want to see her now," Justin said, his dark eyes gleaming with intensity as he spoke with emphasis. "Grant, your feelings for her are your own; I have no right to stop you. But you can''t stop me from seeing her either."


    Justin continued, "However, if both of you are officially in a rtionship, you won''t need to say a word. I''ll stay away from Ms. Thompson and sincerely wish you both a lifetime of happiness together."


    For some reason, when he said thest sentence, it felt like a dull ache in his throat, leaving a faint bitter taste. "But as long as Ms. Thompson isn''t yours, you and I are on equal footing. You can see her, and so can I. If my actions bother you, all I can say is, I''m sorry."


    The dark shadows hid any trace of Grant''s expression. His voice was calm, giving away no emotion. "Justin, do you still have feelings for her? Haven''t you moved on?"


    Justin swallowed hard, his expression bing erratic.


    "Justin, although we are only half brothers, ask yourself-how have I treated you all these years?" Grant coughed a few times, his voice growing deeper.


    "You''ve treated me well," Justin admitted, his breath catching. Memories of growing up together with his brother shed before his eyes-harmonious moments filled with care and support.


    His brother was four years older than him, but as the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father.N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    During those dark days when Justin first arrived at the Salvador family, facing endless cold stares, his brother was indeed the first to show him kindness and stand up for him when the servants mistreated him. Grant had given Justin warmth.


    Then there was that terrifying kidnapping incident when his brother had risked everything to help him escape. Otherwise, the one sitting in a wheelchair today, unable to even walk or run like a normal person, would have been Justin.


    "You can see how I am now. For the rest of my life, I will be bound to this wheelchair and rely on medication just to barely maintain this state." Grant sighed lightly, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "I know I''m not worthy of Ms. Thompson. But she is willing to stay by my


    side, despite my terrible condition. Justin, I am not made of stone. I''ve spent so many years alone in a foreign country, often feeling lonely, deste, and helpless. I frequently wondered if this was how I wouldnguish for the rest of my life. I want a partner too. I want to marry, have children, and experience a simple, happy marriage."


    His brother, who had always seemed detached from worldly matters, now yearned for a wife and children, and the woman he had in mind was Be.


    Justin pressed his lips together, his chest heaving. He recalled the scene at the orphanage today. Amidst the romantic snowfall, Be and Grant''s gazes met. They looked so bright and joyful.


    Yet whenever she saw him, her eyes would redden with tears or reflect a sorrow that could not be put into words.


    Justin was once the one she loved, but now he was merely someone who brought her pain.


    "If I could have a woman like Ms. Thompson by my side in this lifetime, I would have no regrets." Grant''s eyes were filled with longing, his tone sincere, even tinged with a hint of humility. "Justin, as your brother, I''m asking you to please give me and Ms. Thompson a chance to be together. Will you help me fulfill this wish?"


    Justin''s body stiffened, his jawline sharp and rough, radiating a controlled, razor-sharp edge. He stood there in a daze, not even realizing when Grant had left.


    Not long after, the door to the ward opened.


    Steven walked out carrying a thermal lunch box.


    Seeing Justin standing motionless in the hallway, Steven froze for a moment before a dark look crossed his face.


    "Well, you sure came quickly," Steven muttered under his breath, his long eyshes fluttering slightly.


    "Mr. Lovett, I want to see her."


    "Do you think you can just waltz in like that? Our youngdy isn''t some animal on disy," Steven scoffed, rolling his eyes as he turned and headed back into the room. "Wait here."