Chapter 437 - 440: Opening Up One’s Heart

Wren Sutton twisted open the bathroom door, her fingertips still cool from the cold water.

She had spent a long time calming herself in front of the mirror, deliberately suppressing the gloom swirling in her eyes. She didn’t want Adrian Lancaster to notice anything was wrong, trying her best to act as if everything were normal.

But no matter how deeply she hid her emotions, no matter how much restraint she showed, Adrian Lancaster still detected a hint of tension.

He knew her. He knew every subtle change in her expression, the light that shone in her eyes when she was happy, and even more so, the turbulent emotions hidden beneath her calm facade when she pretended nothing was amiss.

Adrian Lancaster didn’t press her immediately or expose the worries on her mind. Instead, he quietly watched her approach.

He patted the spot beside him, his tone gentle. "Honey, come sit next to me. I want to talk to you up close."

Wren Sutton nodded and sat down beside Adrian Lancaster as he’d asked.

The next second, Adrian Lancaster reached out, wrapped an arm around her back, and pulled her into his embrace.

He didn’t hold her forcefully; his embrace was a steady source of support for Wren.

He rested his chin gently on the top of her head, his light breaths carrying the faint, fresh scent from her hair.

His palm rested on her back, rubbing it slowly and gently, one stroke at a time, patiently comforting her.

Just holding her like this, even without speaking, had a power that calmed the heart.

Wren Sutton leaned comfortably into Adrian Lancaster’s arms, took one of his hands, and intertwined their fingers.

The anxiety and unease in her heart were magically soothed, bit by bit, feeling less heavy now.

She looked up, her gaze full of reliance on him.

"Honey, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Adrian Lancaster looked down at her, his eyes filled with genuine tenderness and acceptance.

"As long as it’s the two of us, we can talk about anything. I just love hearing your voice."

Wren Sutton’s heart stirred. She relaxed her pursed lips. "Actually, I have a lot I want to say to you, too, but..."

Adrian Lancaster gently interrupted her, stroking her hair.

"If you have something to say, just say it. What’s there to worry about in front of your husband? I’m not a stranger. We’re married. You don’t have to put on a brave face for me and shoulder all the problems alone."

"To be honest, the moment you came out of the bathroom, I could tell something was on your mind."

"Let it out. Don’t keep it bottled up. Whatever it is, we’ll discuss it and handle it together."

Hearing this, Wren Sutton felt a sudden sting in her nose and subconsciously clenched her fists.

Adrian Lancaster tightened his arms, holding her a little closer as he continued his patient reassurance.

"Honey, I’m your husband, your rock. I’m not some outsider you have to constantly worry about and hide things from. If you’re feeling anxious, doubtful, or have worries you can’t resolve, you can tell me."

"No matter what it is, even if it’s a huge problem, I’m here. I’ll shield you from it, and I’ll solve it for you."

"You have to believe me, no matter what you say, I will always be on your side, and I will always protect you."

His words weren’t flowery, but they were powerful and full of conviction.

His acceptance and devotion melted away the hard defenses Wren Sutton had built around her heart, piece by piece.

She leaned into Adrian Lancaster’s warm embrace, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat. That regular sound became the most reassuring rhythm to her at this moment.

She was silent for a long time.

Wren Sutton let out a long breath. "Honey, I didn’t mean to hide this from you. I just didn’t want to bring up unpleasant things and upset you while you’re supposed to be resting. I was afraid it would affect your mood."

"I knew that was the reason." Adrian Lancaster sounded both exasperated and heartbroken.

"You silly girl, your husband can handle a lot more than you think. I’m not as fragile as you imagine."

"Tell me, don’t worry. I won’t get worked up and affect my recovery."

Hearing that, Wren Sutton finally let go of her stress and began to speak slowly.

"I discovered Claire Bennett’s secret. There’s something wrong with her left leg. It’s a prosthesis. I got confirmation from the doctor."

Adrian Lancaster frowned, shocked by the news.

He had met Claire Bennett, yet he hadn’t noticed any hidden problem with her leg. She had hidden it so well that he hadn’t seen a thing.

"Are you surprised?" Wren Sutton asked.

"My expression was the same as yours just now."

Adrian Lancaster nodded, his expression complicated. A strange feeling rose in his heart as something flashed through his mind.

"I am surprised. If you hadn’t told me, I doubt I would have ever discovered this secret."

"Honey, how did you find out?"

Wren Sutton didn’t hide anything, recounting the process concisely.

"On top of that, I accidentally followed Claire Bennett to her home. The driver told me that apartment complex used to be a property of the Marshall Family."

"The Marshall Family!"

Adrian Lancaster’s eyes instantly darkened, his pupils constricting. He froze.

The thought that had just flashed through his mind returned, lodging itself in his heart like a thorn.

Previously, his father had told him about the Marshall Family, especially about his romantic entanglement with Maya Marshall and how she had orchestrated an incident that resulted in the amputation of her own left leg...

Wren Sutton waved a hand gently in front of Adrian Lancaster’s eyes. "Honey, do you... remember Maya Marshall?"

Adrian Lancaster snapped back to his senses, his mind in turmoil.

The name Maya Marshall was one he never wanted to mention for the rest of his life. It represented his foolish past.

It was because of that woman that he had deeply hurt his own wife. He couldn’t forgive himself and always felt he had wronged Wren Sutton.

He hugged the woman in his arms tightly, panicked by the fear of losing her.

"I’m sorry, honey. I’m so sorry. I don’t remember the past, and I don’t remember Maya Marshall."

"But Dad told me. He told me I used to favor Maya Marshall and was very cold to you."

"I’m sorry, I’m so sorry..."

"I was such a bastard back then. I didn’t love you or protect you properly."

"Honey, I’m sorry."

Adrian Lancaster apologized over and over, his voice choked with emotion, his heart twisting as if from a knife wound.

Wren Sutton’s eyes grew hot. She patted his back comfortingly.

"I’ve already forgiven you. You don’t have to blame yourself anymore. Everyone makes mistakes. You’ve changed now. I’ve seen it all, and I’ve truly felt it."

"So, stop being so hard on your past self. Let’s look forward together."

Soothed by his wife’s comfort, Adrian Lancaster gradually calmed down.

Wren Sutton raised a hand and smoothed the heavy furrow between his brows.

"The reason I suddenly brought up Maya Marshall wasn’t to dredge up the past. It’s because I suspect that Claire Bennett is Maya Marshall under a new identity."

"There are too many similarities between them. The coincidences are just unbelievable."

"And... I suspect she’s the one behind the car accident."

Adrian Lancaster’s gaze turned instantly ice-cold, all tenderness vanishing, replaced by a sharp, hostile aura.

’Claire Bennett is Maya Marshall?’

The suspicion was like an icy awl stabbing into Adrian Lancaster’s heart, weaving together a chilling web of conspiracy.

’No wonder I didn’t like the way Claire Bennett looked at me. It wasn’t simple admiration; it was the obsession and madness hidden deep in her eyes. No wonder she deliberately tried to drive a wedge between me and Wren both times we met. No wonder she schemed so meticulously to harm my wife at the Flynn Family’s 100-day celebration. It all stemmed from her twisted, pathological jealousy and desire for revenge.’

"If it really is her, then it’s time for us to close the net. We absolutely cannot let Claire Bennett leave Aston so easily."

"Right now, we only suspect Claire Bennett is connected to the Marshall Family. As for whether she is actually Maya Marshall, we don’t have any concrete evidence yet," Wren Sutton said, calm and rational.

"Even if we confronted her on the spot, she could just say it’s all a coincidence, and we wouldn’t have any evidence to refute her."

A dark, indiscernible glint of cold light flashed through Adrian Lancaster’s deep, black eyes.

He was silent for a moment.

"There is one way we could test it... but I’m afraid you won’t be happy to hear it."

"What is it?" Wren Sutton asked anxiously.

Adrian Lancaster lowered his head, leaned close to his wife’s ear, and clearly enunciated his plan, word by word.

"..." After hearing it, Wren Sutton felt a little unsettled.

But she had to admit it was a perfect plan—simple to execute, with a high chance of success, and almost no flaws.

"Honey, what do you think?" Adrian Lancaster asked cautiously, watching his wife’s every subtle expression.

"If you don’t think it’s appropriate, or if it makes you uncomfortable, we’ll think of something else."

After some rational deliberation, Wren Sutton overcame her slight psychological barrier, her gaze becoming firm.

"Honey, I trust you. Let’s do it your way."