Chapter 5
Adrian recoiled like he’d been shocked, stumbling into the IV stand with a loud clatter that echoed down the whole hallway.
“S–Sorry…”
He wiped at his face in panic. The collar of his uniform was soaked with sweat.
“Zoe’s in Obstetrics… I–I got the wrong room.”
He practically fled the ward, his boots slipping on the tile floor.
Liana slowly wiped the blood from the corner of her lips where he had bitten her.
Then suddenly, she laughed.
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Even his lies were pathetic.
In broad daylight, on the wrong floor, in the wrong room–and mistook her for someone else?
During the week she stayed to recover, she never saw Adrian again.
On her discharge day, a military mixer was underway.
As soon as she stepped into the housing area, several enthusiastic military wives surrounded her.
“Liana, Adrian’s been gone half a year. You’re still young–you have to move on. Robert Collins‘ nephew just got back from overseas!”
“Daniel Lewis‘ son is here too–already a
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major at his age!”
She was just about to mention her
engagement to Miles Lawson when someone shoved her toward a man in a white lab coat.
“This is Dr. Jensen–he’s a missile specialist! He rates a family house on base!”
The man with the gold–rimmed glasses had just extended his hand-
When a shadow lunged forward and slammed him hard to the ground.
“Ah!”
The entire area fell silent.
Liana Langston looked up and met Adrian Graham’s bloodshot eyes.
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His uniform sleeve was smudged with engine oil, and there was a fresh scab on his throat.
“Thank you all for your concern,” he
said, each word squeezed out between clenched teeth. “My brother’s widow is my responsibility.”
And with that, he grabbed her arm and dragged her away.
It wasn’t until they reached the depths of the birch grove that Liana yanked herself free. “Landon Graham!”
She emphasized the name deliberately. “What right do you have to interfere?”
Adrian’s breath caught.
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“Legally, my marriage to Adrian Graham Seended the day he died,” she said coolly,
smoothing the wrinkles on her sleeve. “And ethically, you’re just his younger brother. Worry about yourself.”
Behind her, she heard a sharp crack-
Adrian had snapped a branch as thick as a bowl with his bare hand, splinters piercing his palm, blood oozing from the mess.
Liana didn’t even pause her step.
Late that night, Liana was startled awake by the sound of heavy breathing.
Before she could reach the knife under her pillow, a searing body had already pinned her down.
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“Not for long…” he growled, sinking his teeth into her collarbone. “Just give me ten more months…”
“Get out!”
She slammed her elbow into his ribs. Adrian cried out and collapsed onto the floor.
The commotion woke the next room. The door creaked open, and a stream of cold light spilled in.
“Landon?”
Liana swiftly pulled up the blanket to hide the fresh bite mark bleeding on her neck.
“Landon got drunk and came to the wrong room,” she said, voice chillingly calm. “Take your husband back.”
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Zoe’s gaze locked on the tangled bedcovers, her nails scraping against the doorframe with a screech.
But in the end, she only stepped forward softly to lift Adrian off the floor. “Landon, the baby’s scared…”
Adrian Graham was yanked to the door, then he suddenly turned his head to look back.
His eyes were like a dying wolf in the snow- burning with agony and want.
Liana locked the door behind them and slowly sank to the floor.
Her collarbone pulsed with pain, but it wasn’t the worst of it.
The real wound festered in the hollow of her left chest–one that had long since rotted
