hapter 118
As Eliana stepped out of the elevator into the hospital lobby, she happened to run into Pamela, who was just returning with a tray of food,
“Ellie, leaving already?” Pamela asked with her usual gentle warmth.
Eliana offered a polite smile. “Yes. If I get home too late, my husband starts to worry.”
Pamela’s face flickered with a touch of sadness, though she quickly composed herself. “Come visit us sometime, will you? I’d love to hear the story of you two.”
“Of course,” Eliana replied noncommittally. “Take care, Mrs. Graham.”
Meanwhile, at Russell Group headquarters, Theodore was on the phone with Felix.
“Theodore, there’s a private party tomorrow night. Make sure you bring your wife. Everyone’s dying to meet her.”
Theodore’s expression remained unreadable, but a subtle smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Once he brought Eliana to an event like this, it would mean she was officially part of their world.
“Alright,” he said. “Where?”
“Ashton’s new club. Figured we’d help him break it in.”
At that moment, an email notification slid into view on his computer screen. He clicked it casually, and then paused.
The photos were loaded one by one. Eliana, undeniably her, appeared in each frame.
Theodore’s hand tensed around the mouse, veins rising sharply beneath his skin. His jaw tightened as he studied the images.
He had arranged for people to keep an eye on her discreetly, not to monitor her every move, but to shield her from the predatory press. And yet, she had managed to deliver this kind of surprise.
On the other end of the line, Felix pressed again. “Theodore? You still there?”
The cursor swept harshly across the blurred face of a man lying in a hospital bed. Theodore gave a quiet reply, his voice stripped of warmth, and whatever amusement had once lingered in his eyes was gone.
By the time Eliana returned to Russell Manor, night had already fallen.
The traffic on the way back from the hospital had been relentless.
She brushed the snow from her coat as she climbed the stairs to the second floor. Turning the doorknob, she was met with total darkness.
But just now, she had clearly seen Theodore’s shoes by the door.
Frowning slightly, she called out, “Theodore?”
There was no reply.
‘Maybe he’s working out on the rooftop,‘ she thought.
She closed the door behind her and reached for the light switch. But before she could press it, a cold hand came down over hers, gripping her wrist.
1/3
Chapter 118
The lights flickered on, and Eliana gasped, startled. “Who is it?!”
A low voice responded behind her, calm and unmistakable. “It’s me.”
As she realized it was Theodore, the fear subsided, replaced by confusion. “You’re here? Why were you sitting in the dark?”
He stood close behind her, his breath brushing her skin, as if he were trying to catch a scent of something or someone. “Where were you? It’s late.
Eliana bit her lip and replied with the excuse she had prepared all evening. “I was working late. Got stuck in traffic on the way back.”
Theodore’s voice was quiet but cool. “That so? Funny. I called your boss. He said you left on time today.”
Eliana’s breath caught. Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms, his palm pressed flat against her chest, right where her heart was racing uncontrollably.
“Your heart’s pounding,” he murmured, his voice brushing against her ear, low and dangerous. “What are you hiding?”
Terrified by the sudden proximity and the tension in his voice, Eliana blurted out the truth without thinking. “…I just stopped by the hospital after work.”
A cold, mirthless chuckle escaped his lips. “That’s all it takes to scare you? I never actually called your boss.”
Eliana turned to face him, her eyes wide with shock. “You lied to me?”
“And you didn’t?” His arm tightened around her waist, voice edged with displeasure. “You went to see your ex and kept it from me. What, were you afraid I’d find out?”
She looked at him in disbelief. “You had me followed?”
‘He doesn’t even trust me.‘ The thought cut through her like ice.
But Theodore made no mention of surveillance for her safety, no intention of explaining himself. His tone was clipped and sharp, each word deliberate.
“I warned you to keep your distance from other men. You think the reporters aren’t watching your every move? You’re lucky it was my people who saw you this time. Next time, you might not be so lucky.”
He had always forced himself to ignore the fact that she had a past. But that didn’t mean he was indifferent.
As long as she kept her distance from that man, he could pretend Ke never existed.
But when he saw Luke’s file, he nearly laughed from rage. Eliana had been the one dumped. And the woman Luke had cheated with was her own sister.
Theodore had never felt a stronger urge to tear someone apart.
“Is that all you can manage? Pining for a man your sister threw away?”
“It’s not like that,” Eliana said quickly, her guilt plain in her eyes. “I don’t have feelings for him anymore. It was his mother who…
“Then why go see him? Why let him hold your hand?
He stopped, his gaze sweeping over her with a dark, mocking glint. “So… did he treat you well?”
Eliana froze. The meaning behind his words struck her a second later, and her face flushed with fury.
Her voice trembled as she snapped, “You know damn well you were my first.”
Theodore turned sharply, his back to her, refusing to meet her eyes. “You don’t have to love me, Eliana,” he said coldly. “But now that our marriage is out in the open, you’d better learn to act accordingly. Don’t disgrace the Russell name.”
2/3
Chapter 118
The next morning, it was Saturday.
Theodore was gone before dawn.
After getting dressed, Eliana was just about to go downstairs when she noticed a row of maids waiting quietly outside her door, each one holding end gown.
The moment she appeared, they bowed and entered the room in orderly silence.
She frowned. “What’s all this?”
One of the maids replied at once, “Mr. Russell had these delivered early this morning. He asked that you try them on and choose the one you like best.”
Eliana looked at the rows of exquisite, couture dresses, each more dazzling than the last. For a moment, she thought perhaps this was his way of apologizing.
But the words he’d thrown at her the night before hadn’t faded. The sting remained. “I don’t want them. Take them away.”
“Please, Mrs. Russell,” one maid pleaded softly, holding up a fitted gown with a flattering silhouette. “This one would suit you beautifully. Just try it on?”
“I said no.” Eliana took a step back.
Then, a deep, cold voice came from behind her. “Do you want me to dress you myself?”
She spun around. Theodore stood there, dressed in a white shirt with the top few buttons undone. The usual rigidity in his appearance was replaced by a careless elegance that felt both relaxed and unnervingly confident.
Eliana quickly looked away. She didn’t trust herself to look at him for too long. “I said I’m not wearing it.”
He studied her, eyes darkening. “The whole world knows you’re my wife now. Could you stop being so stubborn? At least learn to look the part when you’re out with me.”
She asked quietly, “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see when we get there,” he said, offering no further explanation.
AD
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