Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228 Not His Place

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“The way something fits, only the person wearing it can tell,” Julian said, his tone calm but firm. “Have you ever seen Elena post anything like that on Instagram?”

Gideon didn’t answer.

Because he couldn’t.

It was true. Elena barely shared anything personal online, let alone anything that showy.

But he still refused to admit it.

Refused to admit that whatever had changed about her had anything to do with Alexander.

“Men say a lot of things they don’t mean,” Gideon said, stubborn as ever. “Nathan lied to her. Alexander could just as easily do the same.”

Julian let out a quiet breath. “We are men.”

That was all it took.

Gideon fell silent again.

A long pause stretched between them before he finally said, low and restrained, “At least I know I wouldn’t.”

There was no point pretending anymore.

Julian had always known how he felt about Elena.

Gideon couldn’t speak for anyone else, but one thing he was sure of, he would never hurt her.

Julian understood him well. He knew that streak in Gideon, the kind that pushed back even when it shouldn’t.

Still, he chose patience.

“Feelings are your own, that’s true,” Julian said. “But not every feeling needs to be said out loud. Sometimes it just makes things harder for the other person.”

He stood, placing a hand on Gideon’s shoulder.

“Elena is doing well. She’s happy. That’s what we wanted for her, isn’t it?”

Gideon said nothing.

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Julian gave his shoulder a light squeeze. “You’ve got enough on your plate. Don’t let me down. Or her. Get some rest.”

With that, he headed back to his room.

The door closed softly behind him.

Gideon stayed where he was, staring at the cup in front of him. The bubbles had already gone flat.

After a long time, he exhaled slowly.

He understood exactly what Julian meant. Elena was happy now.

His feelings, at this point, would only complicate things for her.

Maybe Julian was right.

As long as she’s happy… that should be enough.

Elena set up a meeting between Gideon and Alexander.

Wednesday, 4 p.m.

She rode with Alexander to the restaurant. After clicking her seatbelt into place, she hesitated. “Alexander, when we get there, just…”

Before she could finish, he cut in, his tone dry but not unkind. “Stay civil, don’t start anything, focus on the deal. You’ve told me that six times already.”

He glanced at her briefly. “Do I really come off like someone who picks fights that easily?”

Elena blinked. “Wait, I said it six times?”

Alexander looked back at the road. “Sit back.”

A small smile tugged at her lips, but she didn’t argue.

It wasn’t that she liked repeating herself.

She just knew things hadn’t gone well between him and Gideon before, and she had worked hard to make this meeting happen.

She didn’t want it falling apart.

If anything, I’m more worried about Gideon…

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Gideon had pride, the kind that didn’t bend for anyone. But she couldn’t say that out loud.

If she pushed too hard, he might not even show up.

Alexander started the car and drove off.

Gideon had already arrived.

He sat by the window, slowly sipping sparkling water, his eyes occasionally drifting toward the

entrance.

Then he saw Alexander’s car pull up.

Alexander stepped out first.

He walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, reached in to unbuckle Elena’s seatbelt, and helped her out like it was second nature.

Then he took her hand.

Gideon’s grip tightened slightly around his glass. He looked away.

Like it didn’t matter.

Inside, Alexander glanced at Elena’s hands. “It’s cold out. Why are you dressed like that?”

Elena looked down at herself, long coat, knit dress, perfectly normal. “This is what I always

wear.”

She looked up at him. “Also, have you noticed you’ve gotten kind of… overprotective lately?”

Ever since the pregnancy, both Alexander and Evelyn had started hovering. Evelyn had dialed it back a little.

Alexander had not.

“That just means what you usually wear isn’t warm enough,” Alexander said without hesitation. “You need another layer. Maybe a sweater.”

Elena sighed. “My hands are always cold. That’s just how I am.”

“I don’t believe that.”

She gave him a look. “You’re impossible. We’re here, drop it.”

Only then did he let it go, still holding her hand as they walked in.

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Gideon stood when he saw them.

He nodded at Elena, then extended his hand toward Alexander. “Mr. Kingsley.”

Elena tensed slightly. She was worried this would turn awkward again.

But Alexander took his hand, composed and polite. “No need for that. You’re close to Elena, just call me Alexander.”

It sounded casual.

But the meaning underneath was clear.

Gideon smiled faintly and withdrew his hand. “We’re here to talk business. Keeping things formal makes sense, don’t you think…” His eyes shifted to Elena.

“Ellie?”

The name landed softly, but not lightly. Elena felt it instantly.

So did Alexander. His expression changed, just a fraction.

“Let’s sit,” Elena said quickly. “You two talk.”

She was genuinely surprised.

Gideon almost never called her that.

They sat.

Gideon slid a folder across the table. “My work has focused on pulmonary and critical care. Over the past few years, pediatric asthma cases have been climbing. I want to build a research initiative around that…”

Alexander read through it, focused.

Elena didn’t interrupt. She stood to place their order.

The moment she stepped away, Gideon spoke.

“You don’t have to pretend to be interested,” he said, tone cool but controlled. “People like you usually don’t care about research.”

He leaned back slightly. “I’m only here because of Ellie. I didn’t want her effort to go to waste.”

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