Chapter 290: Nowhere To Run
"Jesus!"
Aliana jumped, slamming her hand against her chest as if to keep her heart from bursting out of her throat.
But seconds later, she stiffened, realising how over-the-top her reaction had been.
Snapping her head over her shoulder, she gulped lightly to see the subtle furrow of Gavriel’s brow.
"Y-you scared me," she murmured, quickly clearing her throat.
When he continued to remain silent, her heart hammered against her ribs.
"I-I was so absorbed in reading that I didn’t hear you," she offered an explanation with a nervous chuckle. "You move like a ghost."
She searched his eyes, hoping he would stop looking at her with a gaze that made her feel as though he were dissecting her.
At last, he simply raised a languid brow and asked quietly, "And what would I be stealing?"
’My sanity, apparently,’ she quickly replied in her head.
But outwardly, she merely shrugged. "I-I don’t know. Whatever interests you."
Gavriel hummed softly before finally releasing her shoulders and straightening to his full height, his tall figure towering over her.
His eyes moved across the shelves before stopping at the history section. His expressions gave nothing away before shifting his gaze back to his wife, who had turned positively pale.
Glancing at the book in her hand, he asked, "So, did you find what you were looking for?"
Aliana flinched and instinctively lifted the heavy volume. "I’m still looking. It’s... a dense read."
Without a word, Gavriel stepped around the sofa and came to a halt directly in front of her. She had to tilt her head back just to meet his eyes.
The oppressive weight of his attention settled over her. "Aliana?"
"Y-Yes?" She held her breath as he leaned down. His face came so close that her entire nervous system went into overdrive.
’Fuck! Don’t faint, Ali! Just don’t faint! He doesn’t know anything!’ She screamed the words internally, as she tried to maintain a blank expression. But the beads of cold sweat forming along her hairline completely betrayed her.
Her frantic thoughts came to a painful halt when Gavriel raised a long finger and gently brushed it across her forehead.
"You’re sweating," he murmured softly. "Are you feeling unwell?"
’Yes!’ she cried in her head, her stomach churning from sheer nervousness.
Yet she shook her head profusely. "N-no! It’s j-just... hot in here."
She felt her throat going dry as she held his gaze.
Gavriel’s calm eyes stayed on hers for a beat before drifting downward. Reaching out, he took the book from her hands.
"Perhaps the heat is why you’ve been trying to read a book upside down," he commented smoothly.
He straightened and held the book up for her to see before snapping it shut, making Aliana blink.
"Unless you want to confess..."
"C-confess?" Aliana’s voice quivered as her eyes widened in dread.
Seeing her look like a frightened little bunny, the corner of Gavriel’s lips curved into a small smile.
"Yes..." He walked over to his desk and placed the book on it before leaning against the edge.
Tilting his head slightly, he looked at her with quiet amusement. "That my wife possesses a special talent for reading upside down."
Aliana was left speechless for several seconds before letting out another nervous chuckle and quickly getting to her feet.
"I-I had only just picked it up, so I didn’t realise which way I was holding it!" She raised her sleeve, wiping the cold layer of sweat from her forehead as she stammered out an excuse. "Gosh, I must be so lost in my own thoughts that I didn’t even notice."
She gave him a small smile before fanning herself with her hand. "It’s really so hot. Maybe I-I should take a cold shower and change into something lighter."
She quickly walked toward the door, pausing just before stepping out to look back at him. "I’ll use the guest bathroom so you can use the master bath to freshen up. Dinner must be almost ready. I-I’ll see you downstairs, alright?"
She offered him a sweet, quick smile before opening the door and slipping away as fast as she could, leaving Gavriel standing behind as he continued staring at the doorway.
His icy blue eyes lingered on the spot where she had stood seconds before, slowly drifting toward the bookshelf.
Pushing himself off the desk, he walked over until he stood directly in front of Hellborn.
He traced the spine with a long finger. The golden lettering etched into the leather glowed faintly under his touch before fading back to normal.
"I thought I was prepared to deal with your reaction when you finally stood before the truth." He whispered.
Releasing a quiet sigh, his gaze drifting towards the open doorway, "But it seems I overestimated myself, baby."
His eyes slowly flashed red. "Forgive me when I am forced to keep you with me. There is nowhere you could run where I wouldn’t find you."
.....
Meanwhile, in the Ross Mansion...
Jade walked through the luxurious, quiet corridor of the modern mansion.
Her confident footsteps echoed until she reached the vast living room. "Mom? Dad? I’m home," she called out.
Her vibrant green eyes swept across the empty room. "Hm? Where are they?" she murmured, surprised, since she could usually find her parents here at this time.
Just then, a maid came rushing in and bowed. "Welcome back, young miss."
Jade handed her overcoat to the maid. "Where are they?"
"Master and Madam are in the master’s study," the maid replied.
"Alright." Jade gave her a nod. She was just about to move when the maid asked, "Young miss, would you like to have dinner?"
"Nah, I ate something at the meeting." Jade waved her hand and headed upstairs.
Upon reaching the first floor, she walked toward the study. The door was slightly ajar, and she raised her hand to knock, only to freeze midway.
"I understand your concern, Portia, but I urge you not to panic. Our children are meant to carry our mantle. Once we explain to them the importance it holds for our livelihood, I’m sure they will understand." Nina’s hushed voice drifted through the gap, making Jade’s brows pull together in confusion.
What was her mother talking about?
Through the narrow opening, Jade saw her mother speaking on the phone while her father, Alec, sat on the sofa sipping his drink, his gaze fixed straight ahead. Suddenly, his posture shifted as if he felt someone watching.
Before he could turn towards the door, Jade instinctively stepped back and pressed herself against the wall.
She wasn’t sure why she had hidden.
But something told her that whatever her parents were discussing, she needed to hear more.