His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 58

His Hidden Family, My Ruined Marriage

Chapter 58 Body Check

“Hmm?”

Elian was confused. It had been an accidental touch. She was being way too dramatic.

But Liana’s mind flashed to the cane Gerald had struck her with. Right there.

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The initial shock had been followed by the numbness of forced kneeling. Now, with warmth returning, the pain flared anew.

Elian remembered the scene he’d arrived to-her being forced to kneel, the man gripping her chin, trying to force her into something.

Are there other injuries?

He threw back the covers.

“No!”

She was still naked. The situation was already too much.

“Don’t move.”

He gently turned her onto her stomach and switched on the main overhead light.

Liana’s pale face flooded with crimson. She lay prone, utterly exposed.

Her legs were always slender and pale. Now, a massive, dark bruise marred her left thigh, with lighter marks on the right.

“Where else does it hurt?”

Guilt stabbed at him. He’d been so wrapped up in his anger over her lack of trust.

She buried her face in her arms. “Nowhere.”

She was dying of embarrassment.

Even at their most intimate, he’d never inspected her like this. Back then, he’d have been on her

in seconds.

He didn’t believe her. His gaze traveled the length of her body, then back up, meticulously searching for other marks. He moved to turn her over again.

“No, Elian, don’t!”

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Chapter 58 Body Check

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She pressed down on the hand he’d placed on her hip, preventing him.

“I need to see for myself.”

“Really, that’s all. He just hit me there and made me kneel. Nothing else.” Her voice was hoarse with mortification.

Elian’s heart clenched. Gerald was known for his harshness, but to treat his own granddaughter this way…

The pain in his chest intensified. He turned her over firmly and pulled her tight against his chest. “I’m sorry. I broke my promise. I should have been there sooner.”

Cocooned in the warmth of his embrace, feeling the steady beat of his heart, Liana remained perfectly still for a long time.

She was angry at herself for wanting to cling to him, for craving his comfort, even now… when she no longer believed in or needed his promises.

“Can I go home?”

It was her only plea. If he truly felt sorry, he’d grant her this.

But-

“No.”

He cupped her face, searching her pitifully beautiful eyes for three long seconds before rejecting her outright. He held her at arm’s length, his grip firm on her shoulders.

A cold dread seeped into Liana’s chest. Her mind buzzed.

He wouldn’t let her hide. His sharp eyes roamed over her body once more, confirming no other injuries before he pulled her back into a tight embrace.

Liana had nothing on. Shame scorched her cheeks.

Elian stared at the mix of fury and shyness on her face, and the breath caught in his chest. He held her and coaxed, his voice like velvet over gravel. The soft, warm weight of her body against him finally loosened his tongue. “Stop struggling. I won’t touch you tonight.”

She immediately went still, glaring up at him.

His eyes were heavy with repressed desire, his voice rough. “I’ll call a doctor to check you over. Then I’ll cook you something, okay?”

12:04 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 58 Body Check

“Okay,” she agreed softly, meeting his gaze.

Perfect. When he’s cooking, I’ll slip out.

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He stroked her hair. “Good girl.”

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