Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 59: Annoying~

Nina Thorne finished packing her clothes and went to bed.

She had been shopping all day and was exhausted. The moment her back hit the mattress, she was asleep.

When Justin Kane returned to the room, he saw the lights were dim. He crept quietly to the bed, and before lying down, he propped himself up slightly, gazing at her profile in the faint light.

Her breathing was even. She was sleeping soundly.

Justin Kane’s gaze lingered on her face, tracing its every detail in his mind. Her features were delicate yet striking, like a radiant rose.

As he watched her, the corners of his mouth curved into a faint smile. But the next second, her words suddenly echoed in his mind: ’The mistake, our only mistake, is that we’re not in love.’

A sudden, sharp pain pierced Justin Kane’s heart, leaving a suffocating, bitter ache.

He couldn’t help but give a bitter laugh. ’She’s really something else,’ he thought.

...

Nina Thorne woke up bright and early the next day, ready to head to the airport and meet up with the film crew.

When she came downstairs, she saw Justin Kane sitting in the dining room, just like any other morning.

Dim sum was laid out on the table, including the shrimp dumplings she loved.

Nina Thorne remembered what had happened last night but walked over as if nothing was wrong.

"Morning."

"Morning."

The food in front of Justin Kane was untouched. It seemed he had been waiting for her, just as usual. "Eat breakfast," he said.

Nina Thorne hummed in acknowledgment and drank her milk after sitting down.

Everything was calm between them.

Putting down her glass of milk, Nina Thorne glanced up at him and noticed he didn’t seem upset about last night.

She should have been happy, but then a second thought soured her mood: it was only because he didn’t like her.

Her appetite vanished. "I’m not eating. I have to rush to the airport."

She stood up to leave.

Justin Kane rose to his full height. "I’ll take you."

Nina Thorne looked at him again. His handsome face was chiseled and deep, set in a stern, unsmiling expression.

’He does seem a bit colder than before, though,’ she thought.

Then she heard him say, "Stop overthinking it. Let’s go."

Nina Thorne shook off her messy thoughts and had no choice but to agree.

「On the way to the airport.」

The two of them remained silent for a long time. For forty minutes of the hour-long drive, not a word was spoken.

Everyone said Justin Kane was cold and heartless, but in his opinion, he was nothing compared to Nina Thorne.

Finally, Justin Kane broke the silence. "Do you hate me?"

Nina Thorne was startled. ’How could I?’

She quickly shook her head and said, "No," before asking him, "What’s wrong?"

Not to mention how Justin Kane had protected her time and again, his sense of responsibility and care for her in their daily lives was enough to make her grateful.

It was even enough to stir her heart.

But she was self-aware enough not to get caught up in fantasies she shouldn’t be having.

Justin Kane met her gaze. Her glass-like eyes were clear and bright, and at that moment, they held a trace of bewilderment, as if she were confused by his question.

Justin Kane’s pupils darkened, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. "Take care of yourself."

Nina Thorne thought he was acting a little strange today, but she didn’t dwell on it, merely humming a soft "Mhm."

They arrived at the entrance to the airport terminal.

Nina Thorne was about to get out of the car when Justin Kane suddenly grabbed her wrist and fastened the starry-sky watch on it. "Keep it on properly this time. Don’t forget it again."

Nina Thorne looked down, and the moment she saw the watch, she instinctively struggled a little.

When she felt Justin Kane’s questioning gaze on her, she quickly came up with an excuse. "It’s not appropriate to wear such an expensive watch to work."

How could Justin Kane possibly believe that?

The sole heir to a hundred-billion-dollar corporation, who had been accustomed to a life of luxury and extravagance since childhood—would she really care about such a small detail?

Clearly, she just didn’t like the person who gave her the watch.

Justin Kane’s expression instantly darkened, a hint of somber restraint flashing in his eyes. "If you don’t like it, you can throw it away."

He clenched the hand he had just withdrawn, his gaze so sharp it seemed to bore right through her.

Nina Thorne couldn’t help but feel wronged.

’He gave me a watch he couldn’t even give to the person he actually likes, and now he’s acting all high and mighty!’

She retorted bad-temperedly, "I will."

With that, she got out of the car, took the suitcase the driver had retrieved, and walked away without a backward glance.

Justin Kane watched her stubborn, resolute back. It was the same old temper of a pampered heiress.

Just as she was back then—bright and dazzling.

She was meant to be this proud.

It was only when she was with Cole Kane that she would become gentle, considerate, and thoughtful of his feelings.

The air inside the car seemed to freeze.

Assistant Cheney glanced back from the passenger seat, catching sight of Justin Kane’s grim, icy expression. He quickly turned back around, not daring to breathe too loudly...

This was the same man from the three years before the CEO returned to the country—a man who betrayed no emotion, whose single glance could inspire fear.

Once Nina Thorne boarded the plane, she looked at the watch on her wrist, and in a huff, swiftly unfastened it and shoved it into her carry-on bag.

She had deliberately left the watch at home, but Justin Kane just had to bring it and put it on for her.

’Is she someone who’s short on watches?’

She didn’t need things like this.

What she needed was the right person to give her a watch—or even just a piece of candy.

If she couldn’t have that, she’d rather have nothing at all.

...

「Two hours later, the plane landed in Vistara.」

It was only noon when they arrived.

After settling in at the hotel, Nina Thorne declined to eat with the rest of the crew, opting to buy something to eat by herself near the hotel.

She didn’t go out again for the rest of the evening.

The next day, the crew held a table read for the script, which went quite smoothly.

The actors discussed their lines, character emotions, and other aspects with Nina Thorne.

The communication was quite pleasant and harmonious.

Around six in the evening, Director Aldridge suggested they all have dinner together.

Nina Thorne had planned to refuse, but the actors were so enthusiastic in their persuasion that in the end, it was an offer too kind to turn down, so she agreed.

The group went to a famous local restaurant to try the regional specialty—roast duck.

Everyone was chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was cheerful.

"Our amazing screenwriter, this script is going to be a huge hit when it’s filmed. If you write any more masterpieces, you have to think of me," the lead actress, Jessica Jenkins, said half-jokingly.

She got the ball rolling, and the other actors chimed in.

The male lead, Cody Kirk, praised, "I didn’t expect our screenwriter to be so young. You’re even a few years younger than me. So talented!"

"Speaking of which, Ms. Thorne, is this based on your own love life? You write about it so well."

Nina Thorne froze.

’If I wrote about my love life, people would just say I’m boy-crazy, wouldn’t they?’

"Yeah, every character in the script is so real and vivid. I’m calling it now, this is going to be a blockbuster."

"You don’t have to tell us. The director and producers already said this script is guaranteed to be a smash hit."

Nina Thorne blushed from all their praise, waving her hands and saying they were too kind, adding that she hoped filming would go smoothly.

Director Aldridge said in a serious tone, "The production team and I have studied it. This genre is definitely the easiest to get popular right now, and the romantic storylines you’ve written are especially outstanding. Nina Thorne, I have high hopes for you."

"Thank you, Director Aldridge." Nina Thorne maintained a polite smile.

Later, someone suggested drinking. Nina Thorne and Jessica Jenkins both abstained, but the other actors were in high spirits and had a little, some more than others.

Nina Thorne found an opportunity to go to the restroom, finally getting a moment to breathe.

After washing her hands, a call came in from an unknown number. The caller ID showed it was from Sylport, and Nina Thorne’s mind immediately went to Cole Kane. She hung up without a second thought.

After dinner, the group returned to the area near the hotel entrance.

Nina Thorne and Jessica Jenkins were walking at the back, a good distance behind the others.

A few people occasionally looked back, urging them to hurry up. Some had had too much to drink and gradually started taking the elevator upstairs.

Jessica Jenkins pulled Nina Thorne along to walk a little faster. Suddenly, a voice called out from the side, "Nina Thorne!"

Nina Thorne’s steps froze. She whipped her head around to look.

A tall, slender figure emerged from the darkness and stopped in the light, standing a short distance away from her. His face was clearly illuminated.

When Nina Thorne saw who it was, her expression immediately darkened, and she couldn’t help but clench her fists.

’How did he get here?!’