Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Raphael let out a quiet sigh of relief. He’d been worried the shots might make him look too soft, even effeminate.
He twisted the cap and took a long drink, head tilted back, the line of his throat drawing attention without meaning to.
Not far off, a Vellum Glow staffer noticed how close he stood to Eliana and whispered, “If Ms. Burke wasn’t already married, those rumor pics from yesterday would’ve made a pretty convincing couple.”
“No kidding,” another agreed.
Raphael, having quenched his thirst, said, “Alright, let’s keep going.”
“Wait a sec. Your bangs,” Eliana said, reaching out to fix a loose strand that had fallen onto his forehead, which he clearly hadn’t noticed.
Just then, someone let out a conspicuous cough.
Startled, Eliana turned and saw Felix standing behind her, coughing dramatically. “Mr. Yates? When did you get here?”
Felix gave her a subtle nudge of his head toward the side.
She followed his cue, only to see Theodore standing behind the director’s camera, eyes locked on her and Raphael, his expression unreadable but heavy with disapproval.
‘What is he doing here?‘ she wondered.
“He came to back you up. You should go over,” Felix murmured.
“Okay.” Eliana nodded and walked toward Theodore.
Raphael noticed him too and instantly tensed up. It wasn’t just that Theodore had an imposing presence. He was also the kind of man even his own elders spoke of with respect, urging him to learn from.
Eliana stopped in front of Theodore and looked up at him. The man was striking, his presence quiet but unmistakable. “You actually had time to come
here?” she asked.
Theodore reached out, gently pinching her chin, his thumb brushing lightly across her lips. His tone carried a teasing smile. “It’s almost lunchtime. ! came to take my wife out. Am I not allowed?”
The touch made Eliana shy away half a step. “Don’t… people are watching.”
“Let them,” he said simply. His other hand came to rest firmly at her waist, eyes glinting with unmistakable possessiveness.
Back when their relationship hadn’t been public, he’d already struggled to hold back. Now that their marriage was known to all, he no longer had any reason to restrain himself.
The moment burned into Raphael’s eyes. He clenched the water bottle in his hand, knuckles white.
The faint crinkle of plastic made Ed glance over, “You alright?”
“I’m fine,” Raphael said curtly, then turned and walked back onto the set.
Ed followed after him. “You sure you don’t want to go say something to Mr. Russell? Might smooth things over.”
“No need,” Raphael replied, his expression unreadable.
He couldn’t help thinking about Theodore’s messy past with Alice. And the more he thought about it, the less he believed that man deserved Eliana.
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Chapter 116
Ed sighed. “With that attitude, you’re seriously gonna get blacklisted.”
Raphael snorted. “Then I’ll do what you always tell me. Go home and inherit the family fortune.”
After Raphael’s commercial shoot wrapped successfully, Theodore took Eliana by the hand and left Vellum Glow without saying a word
Some reporters who had been lying in wait nearby, still hoping to catch a glimpse of Eliana and Raphael together, immediately gave up on the idea.
With Theodore at her side, no one dared charge forward with a microphone or camera, not unless they had a death wish.
Inside a quiet restaurant, Theodore handed the menu to Eliana. “Take a look. See if there’s anything you’d like.”
“I’m good with anything,” she replied softly. “I’m not picky.”
She wasn’t lying. During those three years at the Therapy Center, she had learned to eat whatever was provided. She understood too well that the director had limited funding, and it wasn’t a place where personal preferences mattered.
Theodore went ahead and ordered a few of the restaurant’s specialties. Then he added, “Now that Raphael’s shoot is over, I’d prefer if you keep your distance from him for a while. It’ll save you from unnecessary rumors.”
Eliana nodded in agreement.
“Good.” Theodore hadn’t planned on policing her social circle, but watching her gently fix Raphael’s hair that day made him realize he couldn’t always be the bigger man.
Halfway through their meal, Eliana’s phone began to ring.
She glanced at the caller ID, and the easy look on her face vanished.
She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Theodore. “It’s a call I need to take. I’ll just step out for a second.”
Theodore nodded, face calm as ever. “Go ahead.”
But once she left the room, his expression shifted. A faint shadow clouded his features, and his thumb unconsciously rubbed against his forefinger. ‘She’s hiding something from me,‘ he thought.
Outside the private room, Eliana walked a short distance before answering. Holding the phone to her ear, she spoke gently, “Mrs. Graham?”
“Ellie…” came the raspy voice of a middle–aged woman. It was Pamela Graham, Luke’s mother.
“Could you come see Luke? He found out about your marriage last night and… and he went racing with someone up in the hills. His car crashed. He broke three ribs and an arm. I…”
She couldn’t go on. Her voice cracked, dissolving into sobs.
‘What?‘ Eliana thought, eyes widened. ‘Luke was in a crash?‘
She pressed her brows together, then slowly composed herself. “But Mrs. Graham… Luke and I broke up a long time ago.”
“I know,” Pamela choked out. “And it was his fault. He treated you terribly. But please… for my sake. Could you come to Covenhill Hospital, just to see him? He’s been calling your name in his sleep. I’m begging you, Ellie. Just one look.”
Eliana was torn. Luke had betrayed her, but Pamela had always been good to her. During their two–year relationship, she had treated Eliana like a
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Chapter 116
daughter.
And when she found out Luke had cheated, she hadn’t hesitated to hit him, hard. She’d even threatened to cut him off if he ever tried to marry Hannah
Eliana remembered all of that, so she couldn’t bring herself to reject her.
When she returned to the private room, Theodore looked up. “Finished the call?” he asked casually.
She gave a small nod, clearly distracted.
He studied her for a moment. “You seem a little… off. Something bothering you?”
“Hmm?” Eliana quickly deflected, avoiding his gaze. “Maybe I’m just tired. Kind of feels like I could use a nap.*
“Is that so?” Theodore raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. “Eat up, before it gets cold.”
“Alright.”
As she picked up her fork again, Eliana couldn’t help but sneak a glance at him. She wondered how he would react if he ever found out she had an ex- boyfriend, and that she was planning to visit him in the hospital.
He probably wouldn’t take it well. She had just made headlines with Raphael. She didn’t dare give Theodore another reason to be annoyed.
Three days later, after finishing work, Eliana didn’t head back to Russell Manor.
Instead, she pulled out her phone, opened her map, and set her destination to Covenhill Hospital.
Riding a shared scooter down the street, she didn’t notice the black sedan following quietly behind, its presence discreet, its purpose deliberate.
AD
