Chapter 455: Elena Ward Declared Firmly

"The Hale family means nothing to me—not in the past, and not in the future. My parents were Thomas and Margaret Ward, and my siblings raised me. No one else counts!" Elena Ward declared firmly, drawing a clear line.

"Then what am I? Just 'no one else'?" Adrian Stone frowned, a bitter taste rising in his throat. After finally marrying her, he hadn't expected to be brushed aside so easily.

Seeing his rare pout, Elena couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Adrian, you're my husband. How could you be an outsider?" She blinked playfully, teasing him. "If you keep underestimating yourself, your wife might get angry."

Adrian narrowed his eyes—this little troublemaker was getting bolder by the day.

"Just wait till we get home," he murmured, leaning close enough for his warm breath to brush her ear, his lips grazing her sensitive earlobe.

Elena's face flushed instantly. Ever since their marriage, the way Adrian looked at her had changed—like a wolf eyeing its prey. Though their new home wasn't ready yet, every moment alone with him sent her heart racing under that hungry gaze.

"We're on a train!" she hissed, fingers twisting nervously in her lap.

Adrian chuckled, tracing circles on her wrist. "Who started this, huh?"

Elena glared. Though their sleeper cabin was mostly empty, passengers could walk by any second. Two soldiers being this intimate in public? The gossip would be unbearable.

"Marrying you is harder than I thought," Adrian grumbled, but he released her hand anyway.

As the train pulled into Capital Station, Adrian carried both suitcases while Elena followed obediently, chattering about her last visit to the city.

The moment they stepped out, they spotted Marcus Stone waving in the distance.

"My brother insisted on meeting us," Adrian explained, though he'd tried to refuse.

Marcus rushed over, took the luggage, and punched his brother's shoulder. "You reckless brat! Nearly gave me a heart attack!" His voice cracked. "But seeing you safe... that's all that matters."

Adrian grinned, pulling Elena forward. "Relax, big brother. I'm tougher than I look. Oh, and meet your sister-in-law, Elena."

Elena stepped up with a sweet smile. "Hello, Marcus."