?Chapter 393:


    Although Elliana had married into the Evans family for a while, the back garden of the Evans estate waspletely unfamiliar to her. She clung to the directions Ruben sent, following them until the path led into a thick stand of trees.


    Out here, darkness reigned. The only light came from pale strips of moonlight sneaking through the leafy branches. The world seemed to hold its breath. Only the asional chirp from a distant insect or the gentle rustle of leaves broke the stillness.


    Every step seemed too loud in the hush of the night.


    Grass brushed against her ankles as she made her way forward, not stopping until she finally reached the location Ruben had sent. She spotted him up ahead, sitting by himself on a broad, t rock. His head was tilted toward the sky, letting the moonlight wash over him like a quiet blessing.


    Ruben snapped his head around the instant her footsteps reached him. “Rub—” Ruben didn’t let Elliana finish. Instead, he let out a scream so sharp and terrified that it punched through the still night. “Ah!” Before she could say a word, he toppled backward and hit the ground with a thud,pletely out cold.


    “Ruben!” She bolted toward him without thinking, caught him under his arms, and hoisted him upright with every ounce of strength she had.


    When she pressed her fingers to his wrist, she exhaled a sigh of relief. His pulse was racing like a runaway horse. It was the fright that had knocked him unconscious.


    And just like that, Cole’s warning echoed back to her—something he’d said the morning after their wedding. He had told her Ruben had a fragile heart and that she should tone down her horrible makeup disguise before meeting him. She’d brushed Cole off at that time, certain he was just teasing her. But right now, the weight of that warning hit her square in the chest. She’d really messed up. If she’d actually scared Ruben to death, she’d be in deep trouble.


    Luckily, she had some knowledge of medicine. She fished out a heart pill, slipped it between Ruben’s lips, and massaged his chest to bring his system back into bnce.


    A few tense seconds passed. Then, Ruben twitched, groaned, and slowly opened his eyes.


    Without wasting a beat, Elliana pped a hand over them. “Ruben, it’s me! Elliana! Please don’t freak out,” she hastily said.


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    While Ruben had already regained consciousness, his voice still quivered as he whispered, “Elliana, when did you arrive? I thought I saw something… Was there a ghost?”


    “No ghosts here, Ruben. It’s just the two of us,” she said, keeping her voice gentle.


    Still breathing hard, Ruben waved his hand in protest. “Don’t try to trick me. I saw it. Long hair. White robe. Face like a corpse!”


    One hand flew to his chest as he said, “I nearly dropped dead on the spot!”


    Elliana pressed her lips together, trying not tough. Apparently, he’d mistaken her for some wandering spirit. And yet, she couldn’t help wondering—if he was this much of a scaredy-cat, why would he be sitting out here by himself at this hour?


    “Ruben, that ‘ghost’ you saw was actually me,” she said, her wordsing out slowly.


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