Chapter 445
Chapter 445
“Mrs. Riana is in the back garden, sir p>
He headed toward the back garden. There, Riana sat on a wooden bench, a cup of tea in her hand. The fading light brushed gently across her face, making the lines of her serenity stand out.
“The children have gone to rest?” Riana asked without turning.
“They have,” Nathan replied, sitting beside her. “Grace won a small debate today p>
Riana smiled faintly. “As usual p>
Nathan looked out over the garden now beginning to glow under soft lights. In this house, warmth was never forced-and Nathan was determined to keep it whole.
“You’re home early,” Riana said.
“Today I chose to just take Grace and Josh to and from their activities,” Nathan answered. “I don’t know why. I just felt like doing it p>
“You haven’t done that in a long time, have you p>
Nathan returned a small smile. They sat side by side on the wicker bench facing the garden as dusk deepened. Steam rose gently from the tea.
“Althea has seemed restless since this morning,” Riana began. “She hasn’t said much, but I know her thoughts are fixed on one thing. The test results are weighing on her p>
Nathan nodded. “I know. And I understand why Daven is holding back the information-not to hurt her. There are steps that need to be protected so everything stays safe p>
Riana looked down at her teacup. “I don’t like this uncertainty, honestly. But I dislike rushed conclusions even more. We can’t afford to make the wrong move, because it feels like there’s something far bigger at play than just a DNA test. Isn’t that, right p>
Nathan gave a faint smile. “You’re right. That’s why we’re holding ourselves back.” He gently brushed the top of his wife’s head. “Trust Chase. And trust the steps we’re taking to protect this family p>
Riana let out a soft breath. “I believe Chase could never do something like that p>
Nathan turned to her. “You still remember, don’t you p>
“How could I not?” Riana replied calmly. She closed her eyes for a moment. “I remember the time someone tried to destroy our marriage. Back then, Chase was only two years old p>
Nathan pressed his lips together. That memory had never faded, no matter how much time had passed. For him, those years had been filled with immense pressure. If not for Riana’s support and unwavering loyalty the wife, he loved deeply-he wouldn’t be where he was now.
“My heart was shattered back then,” Riana continued. “But I chose to trust my husband. I chose to keep everything around me standing. Whole. And we faced it together p>
“You handled it calmly,” Nathan said. “Even though the pressure came from every direction p>
“Because I wanted to understand that person’s purpose,” Riana replied. “If I reacted emotionally, they won. If I held back, I could read their moves p>
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Chapter 445
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Nathan smiled faintly. “And it turned out to be a carefully orchestrated scheme. Even I didn’t expect it to go that far p>
“Two years,” Riana said quietly. “Two years of living under constant pressure. I suppressed my fear so Chase could grow up in a stable home. And you-you were just starting to build your business back then p>
“I was still learning how to read the flow of the business I was building,” Nathan said. “And you held us all together so I could work with peace of mind.” He wrapped an arm around her, shifting slightly so Riana could lean comfortably against him.
They fell silent for a moment. The evening breeze drifted gently through the garden, warm and carrying the faint fragrance of blooming flowers. The soft trickle of water from the pond added to the serenity.
“Now the same pattern is emerging again,” Riana said. “Not exactly the same, but the intention feels familiar p>
“Yes. You’re right. Selena and Eli,” Nathan said.
“I don’t know whether Eli is truly involved or not. But Selena has positioned Eli very carefully. She’s designed to touch people’s emotions. That’s why they’ve appeared now, I’m sure of it p>
Riana fell quiet, releasing a long breath. “And yet, that girl seems polite and innocent. I like her. Talking to her is actually pleasant p>
“We shouldn’t act recklessly,” Nathan said.
Riana nodded. “But ever since yesterday, I can’t stop thinking about Eli’s insistence on moving into the main house. That wasn’t a coincidence p>
“The question is simple,” Nathan said. “If their goal were wealth, what we’re already giving them is more than enough. Their lives are clearly far better than before p>
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