Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 270

Sham Marriage Qut Real Heiress Sindors Back

Chapter 270 A Seat at the Table

Back when she had first returned to the Hart family, Catherine had at least pretended to care. She would occasionally ask what Elena wanted to cal

Elena had answered honestly once. She said she missed cheesy stuffed mushrooms and even offered to cook it herself so it wouldn’t be any trouble.

Catherine hadn’t just refused.

She had reminded her, in a cool, almost dismissive tone, that she should stop asking for “cheap, unsophisticated food” that didn’t belong on their table.

Elena never understood what was so “cheap” about it.

But she understood something else very clearly. Catherine didn’t like her.

“Go on, eat while it’s hot,” Iris said, pulling her back to the present.

Elena took a bite without thinking.

The filling was still steaming, and the heat hit her instantly.

“Ah-” She sucked in a sharp breath. “It’s hot-”

“Water, get her some water,” Julian said quickly, turning to Gideon. “Why were you rushing her?”

Gideon was already pouring a glass.

Iris looked stricken. “That’s

“I’m fine,” Elena said quic

my

fault. Elena, are you okay?”

after taking a few sips, the burning easing. “I just didn’t realize it was that hot. It’s not your fault. And it’s really good, seriously.”

Iris finally relaxed, though concern still lingered in her eyes. She let out a soft sigh. “You know, Julian and I never had kids. Back when you used to come here with your dad, I always liked you. I never expected your life to turn out so complicated… losing your parents, and then finding your biological family only to be treated like that…”

Her voice wavered as she spoke, and she quickly reached up to wipe her eyes.

“Forget it, I shouldn’t bring this up at the table,” she said, forcing a small smile. “I just want you to know, if you ever feel wronged or need a place to stay, you can always come here. The room you used when you were little is still yours.”

Tears welled up in Elena’s eyes.

She understood what they were really saying.

No matter what decision she made, she wouldn’t be alone. If she ever needed somewhere to go, this place would always be open to her.

“I know,” she said softly, nodding.

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Chapter $70 A Seat at the Table

Julian waved a hand, breaking the mood. “Alright, we’re just having dinner, no need to turn it into a crying session. Come on. Gideon, let’s have a drink.”

Gideon raised his glass and clinked it against Julian’s.

The warmth returned to the room.

Then, suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

“I’ll get it.” Elena said, since she was closest.

She set down her fork and walked over, assuming it might be one of Julian’s students. Without thinking much of it, she pulled the door open.

The smile on her face froze instantly.

Alexander stood there, dressed in a tailored suit, holding a couple of neatly packaged gift boxes. For the briefest moment, he looked almost… uneasy.

“What are you doing here?” Elena asked, her tone turning cold as she stepped into the doorway, blocking his way inside.

She didn’t want him coming in, especially not where Julian and Iris could see them like this and start worrying again.

Alexander cleared his throat. “I’m here to take you home.”

Before Elena could respond, Gideon walked up behind her.

The air shifted immediately. Both men’s expressions cooled at the same time.

Julian noticed the tension and stepped forward. “Alexander, have you had dinner yet?”

His tone remained polite, even calm.

Alexander straightened slightly, his usual sharpness softening into something more respectful. “Not yet.”

Julian nodded. “If you don’t mind, join us.

Alexander glanced inside.

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The long dining table was set with several dishes and four place settings. Iris and Julian sat on one side, while Gideon and Elena had been sitting together across from them.

From a distance, it almost looked like a family of four.

He didn’t move.

Gideon let out a quiet scoff. “Julian, you don’t need to invite him. This is just home cooking. I doubt it’s his thing.”

Elena didn’t say a word. She

turned and walked back inside, making it clear she had no interest in engaging.

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at the Table

She assumed Alexander would leave.

With his personality, that would’ve been the obvious choice. But instead, he stepped inside

He set the gifts down, pulled out a chair beside her on the left, and sat

“Thanks for having me,” he said, a faint smile on his lips.

Elena stared at him, speechless.

If you know you’re imposing, why are you still here?

Iris hadn’t expected him to actually stay either. After a brief pause, she forced a polite smile and went to the kitchen to grab another set of utensils.

The atmosphere at the table shifted instantly, turning strange and tense.

Elena picked at her food absentmindedly, sneaking a glance at Alexander from time to time.

Then she almost laughed.

He, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, even enjoying himself. He had already peeled several shrimp from a buttery garlic platter in front of him.

It was the first time she had ever seen him peel shrimp.

His long fingers moved with surprising precision, and the wedding band on his ring finger caught the light every now and then.

Her gaze lingered for a second.

Then something hit her.

Almost instinctively, she touched her own ring finger. Empty.

She had taken the ring off before leaving work that evening. A sudden, intense gaze fell on her hand.

Elena looked up. Alexander was staring straight at it.

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