His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 145

Chapter 145 Just a Quiet Minute With You

He was barely two years old.

“It’s all my fault. If I had paid more attention back then, maybe none of this would have happened.”

Anya began crying again, fresh tears welling in her eyes.

54

Finished

Liana gently pulled Theo’s shirt back down and tucked the blanket snugly around him. She didn’t know how to comfort Anya; she just felt a deep pang of sorrow for the little boy suffering.

“I’m just not a good enough mom. No wonder Elian wants you to be a mother to Theo. But Theo is my whole world, Liana. I accept that he might call you ‘Mommy’ too. But could you… could you please not suggest to Elian that he should stop Theo from seeing me as his mother? Please.”

Anya’s plea was delivered with a practiced, pitiful tremor.

Liana remembered telling her earlier to drop the act. Since Anya clearly wasn’t listening, Liana couldn’t be bothered to engage further.

She simply walked around the foot of the bed and headed out of the room.

Elian followed her. “I’ll call for Lucas to take you

“Don’t bother him this late. I’ll sleep here.”

home.”

Liana was surprised he was willing to let her go, but now, she found she didn’t want to leave.

A strange, protective urge had taken hold. She wanted to stay, to be there for the pitiful little boy.

Maybe he’d like to see her when he woke up?

Thinking of how that kid seemed to really like her, she went into the other room and sat quietly on the edge of the bed.

Anya remained seated by Theo’s bed. When Elian and Liana went into the small room and it went dead quiet, a hard, obsessive edge flashed in Anya’s eyes.

Elian simply leaned against the doorframe inside the small room. He knew how selfish it was to drag Liana out so late, especially on her birthday.

But he didn’t regret bringing her.

1/4

15:57 Wed, Feb 18

Chapter 145 Just a Quiet Minute With You

54

Finished

Soon, Theo’s cries echoed from the next room. Both of them-Elian against the wall, Liana on the bed-tensed, their gazes fixed on the doorway.

“Mommy, it hurts… Mommy, it hurts…”

“Theo! Elian, come quick! He’s in pain!”

The moment Theo cried out, Elian was out the door.

Liana started to rise too, but, remembering Anya’s presence, settled back onto the bed.

Soon, the sound of Anya’s melodramatic, motherly sobs drifted in. “Elian, I wish I could take his pain. He’s only three. It’s just so awful.”

“Stop crying. I know you care for him,” came Elian’s muffled, weary reply.

“Okay,” Anya sniffled, dutifully wiping her tears.

Inside, Liana sat on the edge of the small bed, growing tired. She stood, took off her coat, smoothed it, and laid it across the foot of the bed before lying down.

Perhaps because both parents were with him now, Theo’s crying subsided..

Liana eventually drifted into a light sleep, only to wake later, thirsty.

She got up to find some water. Standing in the doorway between the rooms, she saw Anya asleep with her head resting on the edge of Theo’s crib, a picture of devoted motherhood.

But where was Elian?

The suite was quiet, dim, and still.

Just as she wondered, a hand covered her mouth from behind.

“Looking for me?” His voice was a husky whisper right by her ear.

Liana flinched in surprise, but recognizing him, immediately relaxed.

His tall frame pressed against her back as he kept his hand gently over her lips.

Liana didn’t move, just felt his heat through her chilled, thin back.

“I heard you cough. Went to get you some water,” he murmured, his other hand bringing his own stainless steel travel mug into her view.

Liana looked down at it, an unexpected warmth blooming in her chest.

2/4

15:58 Wed, Feb 18

Chapter 145 Just a Quiet Minute With You

It was his personal mug, but she was the one who had acquired it for free.

54

Finished

During their first anniversary, her school had given out personalized mugs to honor teachers. Hers was engraved with the school’s name and her own.

Back then, she had thought even their quiet, ordinary marriage could nurture its own sweetness. She never imagined it would turn out like this.

She took the mug, wanting to thank him. Her throat worked several times, but no sound emerged.

Elian took her hand and led her back into the small room, softly closing the door behind them.

Liana tensed, glancing at the closed door, then back at him.

“I just want a quiet minute with you,” he said, his voice low as he gently stroked her fingers, his deep eyes holding a depth of feeling.

His words stirred a painful ache in Liana, and she had to look down.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify