His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2 He Still Wants to Try for a Baby

The vast house was empty, leaving only her in its silence and loneliness.
She thought back to how good he’d been to her these past two years.
Turns out, men are all the same.
Her father had divorced her mother before Liana was even born.
Relying on his father-in-law’s connections, he had climbed to a high position, now had a son and a daughter, a picture-perfect family.
That evening, Liana sat on the sofa with her civil service exam books for over two hours. She didn’t read a single word.
When she woke again, it was already the next morning. She was in bed.
She opened her eyes drowsily. Elian’s firm, sculpted back came into view right beside her.
He had an incredible physique, far better than that of the top models. The kind of man who’d look good in a potato sack.
And he always wore the finest fabrics.
Liana wasn’t surprised she’d fallen for him. The first time he undressed in front of her, she’d been stunned speechless.
Who could look at a six-foot-three, perfectly built man like that and not fall in love?
Besides, he knew exactly how to seduce her in bed.
He put on his shirt, glanced back at her as he buttoned it. “Awake?”
For a moment, Liana forgot yesterday’s events. As she saw his solid chest, her face flushed without her realizing it.
Elian half-lay beside her, gently stroking her cheek. His voice was soft. “It’s Friday. Dinner at the Manor with the elders tonight. Don’t forget.”
Something nagged at the back of Liana’s mind. It wasn’t until he pinched her chin, leaning in for a kiss, that yesterday’s memories flooded back. She jerked away abruptly.
He frowned at the sudden distance, thick brows knitting. A large hand immediately cupped the back of her neck, pulling her forward until she was forced against him. His voice dropped low. “You’d really divorce me, disregarding your mother’s life?”
Liana instantly stilled.
Elian’s deep eyes fixed on her obedient expression. He placed a light kiss on her lips. “Tonight, we continue our baby-making plans.”
“But you already have a child.”
The words were out before Liana even realized she’d spoken.
Elian chuckled, his fingers stroking the sensitive skin at her nape lazily. “Only the child you give me will be the Locke family’s firstborn grandson.
“I have to get to the office. See you tonight.”
He kissed her forehead again and left.
Liana lay there for a long time, unable to move.
The sensation of his kiss on her forehead hadn’t faded when a wave of nausea suddenly churned in her stomach. She scrambled out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.
She didn’t know if it was the pregnancy or his kiss.
But one thing was clear in her heart—she wouldn’t tell him she was carrying his child. Not yet.
…
That evening, the family driver picked her up and took her to the Locke Manor. As she got out of the car, her phone rang. “Hello?”
“Did you know Elian’s ex is back?”
“Huh? No, I didn’t know.”
Was it the ex who dumped him, the one who made him go to the matchmaking service out of spite?
Those business trips these past two years—was he actually trying to win her back?
That child…
Was it theirs?
Then why hadn’t he filed for divorce?
“We ran into your husband and his friends at dinner. The woman introduced herself as his ex. Liana, whatever happens, don’t be afraid. You’ve got me—and all of us from work.”
The man on the phone tried to comfort her.
“Yeah. Thank you.”
Liana felt the summer wind, thick and stifling, making it hard to breathe.
A car pulled up behind her quickly. Its warm headlights hit her back, blinding her.
The tall, imposing figure got out, locked the car, and gradually became visible as the light faded.
He approached, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His gaze was as tender as ever. “Whose call?”
“Quentin.”
Liana never hid such things from him.
In truth, she had held nothing back from him.
It was all just her own foolish, one-sided devotion.
“Don’t answer his calls again. Don’t meet him privately. Or I’ll make sure he loses his position as Dean.”
Elian slid his hands into his pockets, speaking casually. His eyes unconsciously roamed over her slender figure.
Yeah—only he knew how wild she was under those prim clothes. And only he ever would.
Thinking this, he instinctively reached for her hand.
Liana quickly moved both hands behind her back.
Elian chuckled, his charming eyes narrowing as he stared at her. “Still on about that divorce, Mrs. Locke?”
“Even if we don’t divorce, we don’t have to hold hands.”
“If Grandma sees you like this, she’ll think we’re fighting. Your mother is already confined to the hospital. We can’t have a second person in the family in that state.”
He firmly grasped her hand.
Liana tried to pull away, but his grip tightened suddenly. The next second, she was yanked against his chest.
Elian held her, his other hand pressing against her forehead. His voice turned serious. “Why are you so cold on a hot day like this?”
“The AC in the car was too strong.”
The sudden warmth on her forehead made her heart pound. She tried to pull back, but he held her firmly in place.
Soon, the nausea rose again. She was sure it was because he was too close.
“Mr. Locke, Mrs. Locke, it’s about to rain. Please come inside.”
The butler came out, seeing them holding hands intimately, and urged them warmly.
Elian pulled her along, hand in hand, as they walked in. He told the butler, “Fetch me a thermometer.”
“Oh? Is Mrs. Locke unwell? Should I call the doctor?”
The butler took a closer look at Liana, noticing her pale complexion.
“No need for a doctor. It’s just a slight chill. I’ll have some cold medicine later.”
At “doctor,” Liana panicked—if a doctor came, the pregnancy might come out. She shut it down fast.
Elian glanced back at her, seeing her stubbornness. “Do as she says.”
“Okay.”
The butler assumed it was due to the erratic weather and didn’t press further.
As soon as they entered the living room, both generations looked their way. The spacious room suddenly buzzed with warmth.
Elian’s grandmother, Rosalind Locke, beamed. “Oh, my dear Liana! Come here! Guess what wonderful dream I had last night?”
“Do we need to guess? You probably dreamed of becoming a great-grandmother.”
Before Liana could be pulled to Rosalind’s side, Elian wrapped an arm around her shoulder, guiding her to sit right next to him. He sat down and punctured Rosalind’s eager riddle.
“You brat! Always so clever. But what’s the use of being so clever? Tall as a lamppost, looks the part, but you still can’t even manage to give our Liana a baby!”
Rosalind glared at her grandson, not amused.
Elian looked at Liana and said calmly, “Having a baby isn’t a one-person job.”
Liana couldn’t help but glance at him. Does he really not plan to tell the elders about the child he already has?
“Stay here tonight. I’ve prepared a surprise for you.”
Rosalind shot her grandson another look but turned a doting face to Liana.
Rosalind wasn’t joking. After dinner, when the couple went upstairs, Liana saw the sexy lingerie laid out on the bed. Lace, no less. Rosalind was really trying to give their baby-making efforts a boost. But…
“We shouldn’t disappoint the elders’ thoughtful intentions.”
She was still lost in thought when an arm wrapped around her waist from behind. The intense, masculine scent of him lingered at her neck and ear.