His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138 Say Yes!

“I looked for you,” Elian continued.

He… looked for her?

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The world around them seemed to fade, the noise of the crowd dissolving into a hum. Her focus narrowed to him alone.

“But you were still with someone else then…”

His deep eyes held hers, unwavering despite her icy composure. “That’s why the proposal to Anya happened later.”

Understanding dawned on Liana, but words failed her.

Everyone there heard it, too.

Suddenly, the large screen switched to a live feed of the present moment-Elian holding Liana’s hand, his gaze fixed on her.

“Mrs. Locke, that is everything I kept from you,” Elian said, his voice softening.

Liana’s eyes drifted down, falling on their joined hands.

On their wedding bands, worn and lightly scratched from over two years of wear.

“Propose! Propose! Propose!”

The mood of the crowd shifted instantly, erupting into a rhythmic chant.

Everyone now saw the truth-Liana was the one Elian had always loved. Anya was just a placeholder.

A flicker of a smile finally reached Elian’s eyes as he looked at her. Then, amid the expectant gazes of hundreds, he went down on one knee.

His tailored dress pants framed his kneeling figure, giving him an air of rare grace.

But they were already married.

He had never proposed, yet every day after they got their license had been her salvation.

Now, he knelt before her, producing an exquisite antique jade ring from his pocket as the crowd roared.

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Chapter 138 Say Yes!

“Ms. Keane,” he said. “Will you marry me?”

“Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!”

The chant swelled again.

Elian simply waited, his expression open, patient.

Liana’s vision blurred. Her thoughts swam in a dizzying haze.

Her friends watched, holding their breath. No one knew what she would do.

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“Liana, darling, say yes! We’re all waiting to celebrate properly!” Rosalind called out, leaning on Linda’s arm, her eyes glistening with happy tears.

“Grandma. Linda.”

“Don’t say yes too fast. Make that rascal kneel a little longer!”

Earl and the others stood off to the side, loudly giving his grandson a hard time.

Lawrence, David, and several other city dignitaries watched the scene with amusement.

The formidable Mr. Locke of the boardroom was just a man hoping for his wife’s “yes” in front of everyone.

The joyful absurdity of it made the crowd laugh and cheer.

Upstairs, Anya stood alone by the window, her hands clenched into white-knuckled fists as she stared at the live feed on the outdoor screen. Elian was on his knee. Liana was surrounded by adoration.

The room behind her was empty, silent save for one sound.

Anya glanced at Theo, who was by the stairs, pressing the remote of a toy car.

“If our Liana doesn’t say yes, we can’t move on to the next part of the evening!” Rosalind teased, her voice carrying.

“Yes, dear, put it on. Your dad can’t stay out here too long,” Linda added, gently nudging Liana.

“I don’t-” Liana began.

“Oh, just put it on her already! We’re all waiting!” Linda cut in playfully, taking Liana’s wrist and lifting her hand before she could finish her refusal.

Liana stared at Linda, stunned.

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Chapter 138 Say Yes!

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At the same moment, Elian’s warm hand enveloped hers again. She looked at him, her protest caught in her throat.

“I don’t agree to this,” she managed, trying to pull her hand back.

“Woo-hoo!”

Someone whooped, and the crowd erupted in triumphant cheers, drowning her out. But she felt he heard her.

Her hand remained captive in his. The cool, smooth circle of the jade ring slid onto her finger.

Liana was frozen, baffled. Elian was already rising to his feet.

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

He pulled her closer. She shot a glare at the rowdy guests before turning back to him, ready to say no. But then she was flush against him, the thin silk of her dress doing little to separate them.

He cradled her face, his voice a low murmur for her ears only. “Just play along.”

She thought she’d misheard. Before she could process it, his lips were on hers, soft and sure.

The cheering grew deafening. A male voice, thick with playful bravado, called out, “Come on, Mr. Locke! Show Mrs. Locke who’s really in charge!”

Elian chuckled against her mouth, his kiss deepening, turning slow and lingering.

The men roared with laughter; the women sighed with romantic delight.

It looked like the picture of true love, a fairy tale come to life for everyone watching.

When he finally drew back, his eyes were deep with a lingering warmth. “Happy Birthday, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice rough.

“Now, for the next program-please welcome Mr. Forrest to the stage to announce,” Nathan said, reclaiming his role as MC.

Amid fresh applause, Lawrence stepped forward.

Elian slipped an arm around Liana’s waist and turned slightly. Something felt off-different from before. He couldn’t help dropping his gaze to her, his hand on her waist unconsciously brushing again.

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