Against Cruelty, She Grew Strong (by Anastasia Glover) novel Chapter 632

Chapter 632 Trapped Longing

His hold was impossibly light, loose enough for her to slip free with one small tug, yet in chains bound her fast.

A torturous tug-of-war. Both stubborn, neither willing to let go.

She waited.

Waited for him to speak.

“Tatiana, can you…”

He could never force out the words-Wait for me.

Their future hung uncertain. What right did he have to ask such a thing?

Disappointment crashed over Tatiana.

She wrenched her arm away and strode forward without pause.

Jasper’s breath caught. A blade seemed to pierce his heart, agony making his fingers trembl

He could only watch helplessly as her figure faded from sight.

She had not walked far before she collided head-on with Liam.

“Tatiana, what kept you so long? I feared something terrible had happened. Thank goodness you’re alright.”

Tatiana mumbled flatly, “Nothing. The restroom was occupied, so I waited a while.”

“Your eyes are bloodshot. Have you been crying?”

Had she cried?

She had not shed a single tear.

“A gust of wind blew dust into my eyes. I rubbed them too hard by accident.”

Liam stared at her reddened eyes, clear proof she had wept.

But he did not call her bluff, murmuring softly, “Let us head home. You look worn thin.”

“Alright.”

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15:05 Mon, Jul 20

Chapter 632 Trapped Longing

Liam called his driver to fetch them.

Tatiana said nothing of what had unfolded in the restroom.

On the drive, all desire to toy with Liam vanished. She sat silent, staring blankly at the sce rushing past the window, her gaze hollow.

Flickering neon light spilled across her profile, wrapping her in an unfathomable veil of so

Liam could not grasp her melancholy, yet the feeling unsettled him deeply.

“Tatiana.”

She snapped back to reality, “Hmm?”

“Shall we grab dinner together?”

Before she could reply, Liam added, “You owe me three meals. This will be the first.”

She had no choice but to agree.

Liam gave the driver an address, and the car turned onto a new route.

Thirty minutes later, they pulled up outside a Western restaurant.

They stepped inside side by side; Liam’s secretary had reserved a private booth in advance, a they were shown straight to it.

“What would you like to order?”

“Anything will do.”

Liam slid the menu toward her, “As a gentleman, I defer to the lady’s choice.”

She offered a faint smile and picked several dishes. A cup of steaming coffee was set beside her hand.

“Warm yourself up.”

He was every bit the gentleman, far more attentive tonight than usual, as if sensing her heavy heart and tending to her quietly.

Few women could resist such gentle care.

Yet Tatiana felt no mercy manipulating him. She let fragility seep into her features, glistening tears pooling along her lash line.

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15:05 Mon, Jul 20

Chapter 632 Trapped Longing

“Thank you.”

$2

Liam’s heart tightened, powerless against her watery gaze, “What troubles you? You have distraught since we left. Did someone mistreat you?”

Tatiana seized the opening and lied smoothly, “I saw a man today who bore an uncanny resemblance to my grandfather. He loved me dearly, but he passed away when I was very young.”

She wove fabricated childhood anecdotes of her grandfather, softening Liam’s expression and more with every word.

He lifted a hand to stroke her hair, “I never knew you endured such loss in your youth.”

Tatiana fought the urge to pull away and murmured, “I miss him terribly all of a sudden.”

“Sweetheart, don’t grieve.”

The sudden tender pet name nearly shattered her composed mask.

Her hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly in her lap as she steadied herself. She sat upright and dodged his touch, “I’m fine now. The sadness has faded.”

The server arrived with their dishes just then, tempering Liam’s bold affection.

Still, overwhelming tenderness stirred wildly inside him, barely contained.

Throughout the meal, Tatiana felt his unhidden, lingering gaze fall on her countless times.

She knew she was nearly there.

One final push remained.

After dinner, he drove her home himself.

Before she climbed out of the car, he stopped her, “Tatiana.”

“Hmm?”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together, and I believe you have as well.”

She smiled faintly, evading a direct answer, “Rest well, Mr. Langstrom.”

She turned and walked away.

Liam’s eyes tracked her retreating form, growing ever more confident of winning her over.

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