Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother novel Chapter 418

Chapter 418: Suicide

At the Riverdale estate, in the deep of the night, something happened.

Justin, who had just managed to fall asleep, received a call from Lana. The moment he heard what she said, he stormed out of bed and rushed downstairs.

In the drawing room, he found Noah already out of the guest room and speaking with Lana.

"What do you mean you don’t know where she’s gone?" Noah raised his voice at her.

Justin reached them. "Did you search carefully?"

"She left on her own, Mr. Aiden," Lana said as she handed him a note. "She left this behind."

Justin and Noah read the note while Lana explained, "She was sleeping soundly the last time I checked, before I dozed off. She showed no signs of what she was planning."

-----

The note read:

Dear Brother,

I’m sorry for leaving like this, and I’m sorry for becoming your weakness when I’ve been no help to you.

I know you’re marrying that woman because of me, but I don’t want you to. She’s not a good person.

You’ve been a good brother to me, so I wanted to be a good sister to you and this is the only way I found.

By the time you’re reading this, I’ll already be gone. Don’t worry about me. I’m a master at sneaking out.

This time, I won’t be caught. I’ll leave this place and go far away, somewhere no one can find me.

Please don’t waste your time searching for me. Just imagine me somewhere, happy and free, watching my favorite view of the starry sky.

Though we’re not related by blood, I will always think of you as my real brother, my only family. Thank you for letting me experience the care and love of a family, even if just once in my life.

I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Take care, Brother.

—Meira

-----

Justin understood why she was gone and sighed deeply.

"When was the last time you saw her?" he asked Lana.

"About an hour ago, just before I fell asleep. But I’m sure it hasn’t been long since she left. She must have waited until I was fully asleep," Lana replied.

Justin hummed in response and stepped outside to question the guards on duty. None of them had seen Meira.

"Show me the security footage," he ordered sharply, then sent a few men to search the estate grounds.

Meanwhile, Noah was still staring at the letter in his hand. One particular line had struck him—and suddenly, his expression turned grave. He hurried to one of the guards nearby.

"Where on this estate can you see the view of the mountains?" Noah asked, clearly anxious.

"It’s at the rear end of the estate," the guard answered, pointing in that direction.

Noah didn’t wait. He took off at a run.

Inside the security room, Justin stood watching the footage. In it, they saw Meira sneakily making her way through the estate, carefully avoiding patrol guards.

"Where does that path lead?" Justin asked, eyes sharp on the screen.

"To the rear boundary of the estate," the guard replied. "There aren’t many patrols there because it ends at the valley. The mountains are beyond it."

Justin suddenly recalled the question Noah had asked earlier about the mountain view. At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it, assuming Noah was just doing things his own way while Justin preferred a more structured search.

"Sir," Lana spoke up, "when we walked around that area the other day, Ms. Meira really wanted to go toward the boundary to see the view. But a guard stopped us."

Justin’s jaw tightened. He turned and strode out of the room.

"Bring the car around," he ordered one of the guards.

It was a long way to the edge of the estate—and he wasn’t going to waste a single moment.

Justin sat in the electric vehicle used to move around the estate. The silence of the night was broken only by the soft whir of its wheels. After fifteen minutes, the vehicle came to a halt.

"Sir, the path ahead is a walkway only," the guard informed him.

Without wasting a second, Justin got out. His sharp gaze scanned the darkened path. Two guards followed closely behind as he began to walk briskly toward the rear boundary.

----

Meanwhile, Noah had taken the inner shortcuts and already reached the far edge of the estate. His breath came in heavy gasps from the sprint, but his eyes locked onto a fragile figure standing atop the boundary wall.

She continued to cry while Justin said, "Whatever I am doing, I have my own reason. It has nothing to do with you. So don’t think you are the reason for anything. I have my own plans."

She finally managed to meet his gaze. "Then... that marriage..."

"It’s not because of you," he assured. "And I am already married."

She was surprised to hear it. "Then why are you..."

"I told you I have my reasons, which I can’t tell you," he said, keeping his calm.

Meira didn’t know what to say now. She was utterly embarrassed that she caused them worry in this way.

"I... am sorry..." she said and lowered her gaze, tears still rolling down her eyes.

"Let’s go back. Lana is worried for you," Justin said as he stood up and offered her his hand.

She nodded and looked at Noah, who was still sitting on the ground.

"Mr. Noah, I am sorry," she said, feeling guilty inside.

He looked at her but said nothing. One could feel the horror he felt at that last moment.

"Noah, let’s go back," Justin said.

Noah registered his words and stood up.

Meira accepted Justin’s hand and stood up as well, but winced a little in pain.

"Are you hurt?" Justin asked as he followed her gaze to her left foot.

She shook her head to say it was fine and walked again, but she limped a little.

Justin lifted her in his arms and carried her towards that electric vehicle parked at a certain distance. Noah followed them behind.

Meira held onto Justin and looked at the man walking behind them quietly. She wondered what he was thinking. Was he angry with her? Must be, right? Just in the afternoon they talked nicely and now... She felt guilty the more she looked at him.

They reached the residence where Aeldric was awake and waiting for them. He saw Meira in Justin’s arms and frowned.

His cold gaze fixed on the girl, he said, "If you were planning to die, you should have succeeded."

Meira hid her face against Justin’s shoulder and didn’t dare look at the old man.

Justin glared at the old man. "Just go back to sleep. It’s none of your business," he said and walked towards Meira’s room, leaving the old man sulking with anger.