Rebirth: Ice Queen のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 151 - チャプター 160

Ray pulled Lilly closer into his arms, his fingers gently stroking her hair in slow, soothing motions. She could feel his heart beating steadily against her cheek, but there was an edge of tension beneath it—a tension she could feel in the way his other hand rubbed the back of his neck.Something was off.Lilly breathed him in, grounding herself after the nightmare that had shaken her to her core. She’d found a strange kind of comfort in his scent lately, but tonight, that calm was tainted with unease. He was holding her a little too tight, his movements a little too deliberate. Whatever was bothering him, it wasn’t just a small matter.Finally, Ray stopped his restless fidgeting, cleared his throat, and said, “So, uh… Grandpa called.”Lilly arched a brow, her voice soft but wary. “Oh?”“Yeah.” Ray hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. It was something he did when he felt guilty, and Lilly immediately picked up on it. “He wants me to attend this… uh… ball tonight.”Lilly tilted h

“This grandson of mine can act like an idiot sometimes,” Grandpa Manchester said, shaking his head with disdain. While looking at the photos on his phone “How in the world could he have been so clueless or careless as to let a reporter take a picture of him with Ana in such a compromising position? Has he no sense of discretion?” Mitchell, standing nearby with her arms crossed, sighed heavily. “Father, I think you need to stop. It’s not really necessary for you to keep stirring trouble. They obviously love each other, and Liliana is carrying your grandchild. That should be reason enough for you to accept her.” Grandpa Manchester scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “Oh, come on, Mitchell. This isn’t about love—it never was. This is about whether she’s capable enough to handle the weight of being part of the Manchester empire. If I’m going to hand over the family seal to Raymond, I need to know his partner is more than just decorative. I need someone who won’t crumble under pressure

She frowned slightly, her brows knitting together. “You weren’t here all night. I woke up, and you weren’t next to me.” She sat up slowly, her hand bracing her back. “What happened? Where were you?”Ray reached the bed and knelt down beside her, taking her hand in his. “I’m sorry, baby,” he murmured, his voice earnest. “I had to handle something unexpected. I didn’t mean to be gone so long.”Liliana studied him, her eyes searching his face. “You’re not lying to me, are you?”“Never,” Ray said quickly, squeezing her hand. “I’d never lie to you, wifey. You’re my world.”She sighed, leaning back against the headboard, her eyes softening. “You can’t just disappear on me, Ray. Not now—not when I need you the most.”“I know,” he whispered, leaning forward to press a kiss to her knuckles. “And I swear it won’t happen again. I’ll be here. Always.”Her lips curved into a small smile, and she reached out to brush a strand of hair from his face. “You look tired.”Ray chuckled softly. “Let’s just

As they walked toward the dining room, Mitchell slowed her pace just enough to fall in step beside Ray, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. When she was sure Liliana wasn’t looking, she tilted her head slightly toward him and mouthed, “Have you told her? Or has she seen the news?”The weight of her question hit Ray like a ton of bricks. His smile faltered briefly before he quickly composed himself, shaking his head subtly in response. No.Mitchell’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes narrowing for a moment before she returned her attention to Liliana, who was inspecting a vase of fresh flowers near the dining room entrance.Ray inhaled deeply, forcing a smile back onto his face as he guided Liliana to her chair at the head of the table. “Here you go, baby girl. Sit tight, and I’ll get you settled.”But the moment he stepped back, Liliana’s gaze pinned him. Her eyes were sharp now, missing nothing. “What are you two hiding from me?” she asked, her voice cool and measured, devo

Ray’s protective instincts flared, his jaw tightening as he turned to Evelyn. “You what?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. Evelyn raised a hand, her expression placating. “Relax, Ray. That’s all in the past now. I came here to make amends, not to dredge up old wounds.” Liliana scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. “Amends? Is that what you’re calling this little stunt?” Evelyn smiled serenely, ignoring her daughter’s hostility. “Yes, darling. I’m here to make things right. You’ll see.” She turned her gaze back to Ray. “And as for you, young man, you seem like a good match for my daughter. I’m pleased she found someone who can handle her fire. But why are you cheating on her though.” Ray didn’t respond, his mind racing with questions and suspicions. He could feel Liliana trembling beside him, her emotions barely contained. He placed a reassuring hand on her back, silently promising her that he wouldn’t let this woman cause her any more pain. And that he didn’t cheat