His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 144

His Hidden Family, My Ruined Marriage

Chapter 144 Liana’s Suspicion

“Then let’s all stay,” Elian said abruptly.

Liana stared up at him, shocked.

What does he mean by “all stay”?

The three of us in this room all night?

Is he insane?

Anya stopped crying, looking at him in dumbfounded silence.

“Liana and I can take the cot in the inner room,” Elian clarified.

Right, the room was a suite. There was a small cot inside, maybe four feet wide.

It was possible for two, but she absolutely would not sleep with him.

Liana lowered her head in refusal. “I should

go

back.”

&

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You should definitely go back. Anya thought silently.

“Leave me here alone with Ms. Forrest? Giving you another reason to file for divorce tomorrow?”

Elian’s arm tightened around Liana’s waist, anchoring her in place.

His gaze drifted, almost absently, to her stomach. It looked flat, but his hand had registered a subtle softness there earlier.

He knew she’d eaten well today: the birthday spaghetti at the manor, the cake at school, and the lunch with colleagues. But still…

“Then I’ll take the cot myself,” Liana insisted, her voice tight.

Every time he looked at her abdomen, her panic flared. I can’t let him touch me again.

But how do I stop him?

He’s like a leech, impossible to shake off.

Anya, meanwhile, saw only their intense, private exchange. Her eyes flicked to Theo in the bed. Her hand slipped quietly under his blanket.

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Chapter 144 Liana’s Suspicion

A small, pained whimper escaped him.

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Finished

The sound broke the tension. Both Elian and Liana turned, their focus snapping to the boy as they hurried to the bedside.

Anya leaned over him, her face a mask of concern. “Don’t be scared, baby. Mommy’s here.”

“Owie… Mommy, it hurts,” Theo cried, his long lashes matted with tears.

“Where does it hurt, sweetie? Let Mommy see.”

Anya’s voice trembled with fake tears as she gently pulled the blanket back, her hand pressing lightly over his heart.

Liana straightened up.

She could only retreat again, watching as Elian and Anya hovered over Theo.

Now that she knew Theo wasn’t Anya’s child, her old resentment toward the boy had vanished, replaced by a deep, aching pity.

But she was still the outsider here.

“It’s okay, Theo. You’re safe. You’re safe,” Elian murmured, stroking the boy’s hair.

Anya glanced at Elian with tear-filled eyes, then back at Theo. “Mommy and Daddy are right here. Daddy won’t leave you, baby. Just rest.”

Maybe it was those words-Theo really stopped crying.

Seeing he seemed to have fallen asleep again, Liana quietly turned to slip away, as she had before.

“Liana?”

This time, he stopped her. His voice came from behind.

She turned. “Two people are more than enough to take care of him.”

She meant it; with Elian and Anya here, she truly was unnecessary.

“Theo wants you to stay too,” Elian said, walking toward her.

Anya watched him move toward Liana again. Her hand, still resting on Theo’s chest, unconsciously pressed down with more force.

“Ooh… hurts, hurts, hurts…” Theo whimpered again, his face contorting.

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Chapter 144 Liana’s Suspicion

Elian, halfway to Liana, had to turn back.

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Finished

At the same moment, Liana also moved forward, concern overriding her reluctance.

She circled to the other side of the bed, bending to examine Theo’s pale, pained face.

Her hand gently touched his forehead as she looked at Elian and Anya. “Where exactly is he injured?”

“The doctor said two fractured ribs, near his heart. Sometimes even breathing hurts,” Anya replied after a slight hesitation, caught off guard by Liana’s direct involvement.

Without another word, Liana carefully pulled the blanket down and began to unbutton Theo’s hospital gown.

“Liana, what are you doing?” Anya’s hand shot out, gripping Liana’s wrist tightly.

“I want to see the injury. Is that not allowed?” Liana met her gaze, suspicion hardening her tone.

“No, of course it’s allowed… I just worry he’ll get cold. He has a weak constitution and catches chills easily.”

Anya slowly released her grip.

Seeing Anya’s apparent detailed knowledge of Theo’s health, Liana briefly doubted her own instincts. But she still gently opened the gown.

A large, dark bruise bloomed across the boy’s thin chest. He was so slight; a fall down the stairs could easily cause such damage.

The sight of that massive purple blotch sent a pang straight to Liana’s heart.

She remembered the blow from Gerald’s cane to her own thigh-a fleshy area, and it still ached sometimes. Theo’s body was so fragile, his ribs palpable under the skin.

How much must it hurt him!

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