His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 241

Chapter 241 The Wedding Bait

He spoke as if discussing what to have for dinner, not a wedding and a divorce.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, what agreement you have with Anya. I won’t pry. But I think you should make it clear to your family who the bride is tomorrow-who will be the future Mrs. Locke.”

Liana thought it over carefully. She knew she had no right to interfere, but she needed to lay out her own position.

“Ms. Keane, are you pregnant or not?”

“What?”

“I’ve heard women get a bit slow when they’re expecting You seem that way.”

Liana’s face stiffened.

Elian leaned forward to set his cup down softly, a low, mocking laugh escaping him. “No need to repeat yourself. You’ve made it very clear-I’m not worthy of getting you pregnant. And since I just planted the seed last night, it couldn’t possibly be that fast…”

His gaze dropped pointedly to her abdomen.

Her coat hid everything, but a knot of frustration tightened in his chest.

Her stomach had rounded out recently. Either she was pregnant, or she was stress-eating. Her face was fuller

Seems her appetite is just fine when she’s away from me.

Elian’s heart soured, but his expression stayed cool as ever. “Let’s make a deal.”

Liana looked at him warily. “What deal?”

“You go through with the wedding tomorrow. The day after, I’ll go with you to finalize the divorce.” His long lashes lowered, his voice cool and decisive..

Liana forced herself to stay calm. She studied him for a long moment before leaning forward slightly, unable to hide a flicker of hope. “But… isn’t there a mandatory thirty-day waiting period?”

“That’s for other people,” he replied with a cold smirk.

She hesitated. He’d promised a divorce before and reneged.

She’d prepared herself for the full waiting period. But remembering his hand resting possessively on her stomach last night, she knew the sooner she had that document, the better.

“Really? This time, you’ll really give me the divorce papers?”

She weighed his words, but the bait was too tempting. She couldn’t help inching closer.

“Yes,” he confirmed, his deep eyes pinning her in place.

Her fingers twisted in the fabric of her coat. She still couldn’t bring herself to fully trust him.

“Can I ask you one thing?”

She’d pondered this for a long time. Maybe if she understood this, she could believe him.

Elian’s expression darkened further. “Forget it. Don’t overthink it. After tomorrow, we go our separate ways. Starting the day after, you won’t be Mrs. Locke, and I won’t be your husband.”

“Then why have a wedding at all?”

“Maybe I’m sick in the head. Maybe I enjoy humiliating myself with you. Is that not allowed?”

He was genuinely angry now. Her utter lack of trust cutleep.

His anger sparked her own. She tried to speak, but her chin trembled with the effort of holding back tears.

Finally, she managed, “I thought you were having this wedding to humiliate me!”

“How am I humiliating you?” His voice was dangerously low, straining for control.

“How should I know? You had a designer make a gown for me, and one for Anya. You went to the fitting with her. Maybe you get your kicks from putting me in my place!”

Liana never imagined they’d exchange so many words again. But he always acted so wronged, so blameless.

It made her head spin trying to figure it out. Nothing made sense.

“I’m humiliating you?” He let out a short, bitter laugh. “Ever since you found out about Theo, haven’t I been the one enduring the humiliation? Don’t you feel sick every time you look at me?”