Chapter 4
Liana could clearly feel Adrian’s grip on her wrist tighten instantly.
“Say that again?” His voice turned to ice.
Zoe clutched his uniform and shook with sobs. “I just wanted to save up some money for the baby… Now they’re opening an investigation!”
Adrian’s jawline was so tight it looked like it could crack. “I gave you access to my salary account! And you still dared to touch military stock?!”
“I was scared!” Zoe suddenly clutched her stomach and collapsed to the ground. “If I go to prison… what happens to the baby…”
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The courtyard gate slammed open.
Two armed military police officers stormed in. “Zoe Young, you are under arrest for the illegal sale of military supplies.”
The air turned glacial.
Adrian stood frozen for a second. Then, suddenly, he raised his hand and pointed at Liana. “It wasn’t her.”
Everyone was stunned.
His uniform buttons gleamed coldly under the moonlight, his voice sharp as a poisoned blade. “It was my sister–in–law, Liana Langston.”
A deafening hum rang in Liana’s ears.
“Adrian Graham,” she called his full name, her
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nails digging deep into her palm. “Look me in the eyes and say that again.”
He turned his face away, his Adam’s apple bobbing violently. “The supplies are hidden under Liana’s bed.”
The officers immediately twisted her arms behind her back. “We have a current officer’s testimony. Please cooperate with the investigation.”
As she was dragged into the military truck, Liana stared through the metal bars at Adrian.
He was draping a coat over Zoe Young, bending low, two parallel silver bars on his shoulder flashing in the dim light.
But he was no longer the young soldier who once warmed her frozen body during an
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avalanche.
In the interrogation room, her protests were silenced by a stack of case files slammed on the desk.
“Captain Graham himself testified. What more do you want?” the lead investigator snapped, pressing the ink pad toward her. “Sign it!”
After five days of hunger strike, Liana Langston was transferred to a brig on the border.
The mine was soaked with icy water. She hauled a cart of heavy ore, every step carving fresh wounds into her bloodied ankles.
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Then-
A thunderous crash.
“The mine’s collapsing! Get out!”
Liana had just turned around when a cascade of stones buried her chest.
Through the searing pain, she heard someone screaming her name.
“Liana! Stay with me!”
Was it a hallucination?
The man who had sent her to hell was now tearing through the rubble with shredded hands, his fingernails cracked and bleeding.
“Liana, forgive me… please…”
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Adrian scooped her up, his voice a raw sob, like a wounded beast. He pressed his cheek to her cold forehead.
“Zoe’s pregnant… she can’t be involved in a scandal… I had no choice but to sacrifice you… Liana, it hurt me more… once the baby’s born, I’ll clear your name… please, open your eyes… I can’t live without you…”
Liana wanted to laugh.
He was always like this-
Deliver a slap, then offer a sweet candy.
Right before she lost consciousness, she felt the salty warmth of his tears seep into the cracks of her parched lips.
When she woke up again, the sharp scent of disinfectant mixed with the metallic tang of
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blood.
Adrian Graham was curled up beside her hospital bed, his uniform crusted with dried blood.
The moment her fingers moved, he jumped up. “Liana!”
He yanked her into his arms like a madman, lips trembling as he kissed the corner of her mouth again and again. “You’re awake… finally…”
“Landon.” Liana pressed against his shoulder with all the strength she had left. “I’m your sister–in–law. Please behave yourself.”
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