His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229 A Distant Observer

She smiled from time to time, looking relaxed and happy.

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Elian didn’t like what he saw. He took a silent sip of his red wine, then continued staring at the screen.

The central heating was on, making the room warm. And soon he saw something that stirred him even

more.

On the large bed, she lay sprawled on her side, her small, slender frame curled slightly, one knee bent, her foot lifted in the air.

Her instep was delicate, and in the flickering glow of the screen, it took on an almost…

Yeah. Elian swallowed, then took another, larger gulp of wine.

And…

He sank deeper into the sofa, stretching his long legs out.

As the woman on the screen shifted occasionally, his expression grew increasingly tense. He took another drink, finishing the glass this time, his eyes never leaving the screen.

A growing sense of frustration tightened in his chest. His expression turned serious.

He knew that bed all too well. It was spacious even for the two of them.

And she never stayed under the blanket. For all her conservative daytime attire, she preferred freedom in bed.

Once, he’d returned from a business trip in the early hours to find her sleeping naked.

That was when he’d learned she liked sleeping that way.

Hah.

But when she was with him, she refused.

Elian’s throat felt dry. He wanted to pour another drink, but as he leaned forward, he sank back instead.

Yeah, a certain part of him felt like it was on fire, burning hot and tight, making him hard to move.

Liana had no idea she was being watched. She was just cherishing this rare, peaceful moment.

Her phone chimed. She glanced at it and sat up to answer.

She paused the movie.

“Hello?”

“What are you doing?”

Elian watched the woman on the screen, who suddenly seemed softer, more vulnerable, as he asked in a low voice.

No, it was even a bit hoarse.

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Chapter 229 A Distant Observer

“About to sleep.

Liana didn’t ask why he was calling, her response indifferent.

Then she used the remote to lower the movie’s volume lightly and kept watching.

Whatever was playing made her laugh again.

Elian felt a surge of madness. “Watching a movie?” he murmured.

“If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up,” Liana said, about to end the call.

“Don’t.”

His dry, raspy voice stopped her.

“What is it?”

Perhaps out of sheer boredom, she actually didn’t hang up immediately.

Elian suddenly said, “I miss you.”

Finished

The ear against the phone immediately grew hot. Before she could process it, she’d already hung up and tossed the phone aside, pretending to be unfazed as she returned to the movie.

She turned the volume back up but didn’t laugh again for a long time.

Elian, however, watched with a sense of grim satisfaction.

A subtle change had come over her features-a hint of pique, a touch of shyness, a dash of allure, mixed with a trace of self-reproach.

Elian watched this expression with a flicker of pride for less than thirty seconds before his gaze sharpened again.

Liana eventually fell asleep watching the film.

But Elian, frustrated and breathing heavily, his chest feeling painfully constricted, raised a hand but then paused.

He was a married man. How could he?

So, after watching the woman on the screen drift off, he stood up.

Soon after, the sound of running water came from the bathroom-no hint of steam.

Early the next morning, the door sounded.

Liana had slept late and woke up late. She was just coming downstairs when a familiar man approached her.

“Ms. Keane. Miss Forrest has sent me to invite you to a fiting”

“I’m not going.”

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Chapter 229 A Distant Observer

Liana immediately tried to walk around him.

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A knife was suddenly pressed against her side, hidden from view. “Don’t make this difficult, Ms. Keane.”

When the car arrived at the modern, minimalist boutique located on a charming, historic street, the knife finally withdrew from her waist.

“Inside, don’t say anything stupid. I’ll be watching,” The man said as she got out.

Liana stood there, heart pounding. She had to force herself to stay calm.

Nathan and Xander had just arrived. Seeing the man with Liana saying something to her, Nathan immediately hurried over. “Liana!”

Hearing his voice, Liana turned, quietly breathing a sigh of relief.

Xander also strode up, asking in a low voice, “Everything okay?”

“Mm.”

Liana managed a sound.

Xander saw her strained smile and the clear signs of coercion but didn’t comment. “Let’s go inside.”

“Okay.”

Liana agreed, her legs feeling a bit weak as she walked.

Nathan put a steadying hand on her shoulder, guiding her as he whispered, “You’re safe now. Elian’s already here. He’s a champion boxer, you know.”

Liana gave a weak laugh. If things really go south…

The three of them walked in and were immediately greeted. At the same time, someone watched them from the upper floor.

“Nathan.”

“Yes?”

“Get your filthy hands off her.”

Elian stood on the upper level, looking down with cold arrogance.

Nathan explained quickly, “Elian, she was shaken up.”

Ever since Elian nearly killed him over that divorce agreement he drew up for Liana, Nathan had been her loyal little footman, through and through.

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