His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 164

Chapter 164 His Mother Will Only Ever Be You

He genuinely cared for Theo, and he genuinely trusted Anya.

Liana didn’t know how that trust was built, but it was clearly solid.

So she could only try a different approach to convince him to spend more time with Theo-though the likelihood of success was slim.

“I’m his father. But his mother will only ever be you,” Elian stated suddenly, dead serious.

Liana looked at him curiously. How had he shifted the topic so fast?

“You had Theo call Anya ‘Mommy’ as soon as she returned. You set them up at Westhaven Estates. Didn’t you?”

“Yes.” Elian’s displeasure at the reminder was evident.

“So you had already chosen Anya to be Theo’s mother. Why are you saying it’s me now?” Liana continued to challenge him.

Elian fell silent, but his grip on her fingers tightened.

The pressure on her ring finger was sharp, and soon her heart ached in sympathy.

“Can we just go home?” he asked, patience threading his voice.

Right now, he just wanted to walk with her, to go home with her.

But Liana looked at him steadily. “I want you to go to the hospital. I know you trust Anya. But Elian, your responsibility to Theo isn’t just adopting him, giving him a big house and nice cars, and then handing him off to someone else to raise. You should…”

Liana felt she was going mad. She trailed off, turning her face toward the street.

“I should what?” he pressed, watching her struggle.

“You should step up and be a real father,” Liana finished, her voice tight.

She couldn’t even maintain a calm facade. Her expression felt stiff. She didn’t know what she looked like, but she felt like she’d done her best-for Theo.

“I will,” Elian agreed, his grip on her hand loosening slightly. Yes, there was a gap between their fingers now, letting in a cool draft.

Liana looked down at their hands. They used to hold on tightly. Now, she no longer did.

“If you’re not planning on an amicable split, I intend to le for divorce,” Liana said, pulling her hand from his and tucking it into her coat pocket.

Some things had to be made clear.

Elian said nothing. He simply took her hand again, squeezed it, let go, and then grasped her wrist. “Let’s go.”

He was still determined to see her home.

It had been so long since they’d walked together like thi

The last time was months ago.

Elian tightened his grip on her hand again. “I’ll see you upstairs, then go to the hospital.”

Hearing that, Liana didn’t stop him.

But once upstairs, he lingered at her door.

Liana looked at him curiously. “You’re not expecting to ome in for coffee, are you?”

“No. I think my lighter fell here last time.”

Liana had to study him seriously, mentally replaying his last visit. “You’ve never smoked here. How could your lighter be here?”

“With that sharp mind of yours, why didn’t you figure out I’d adopted Theo sooner?” he asked with a low, humorless chuckle.

“So, it’s my fault?” Liana frowned.

Why didn’t I figure it out? Because I was stupid. I’m an idiot.

She’d berated herself countless times.

But really, it was because of trust.

He’d treated her so well that she’d given him her complete trust.

Who would have thought the always proper, steady man said “business trip” when he was really just spending a few days at his other home?