His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Know Your Place

“Go shower first.”
Liana suddenly felt uncomfortable with his embrace, even physically repelled.
Elian’s tall, imposing frame stood behind her. His deep eyes fixed on her delicate skin, ready to kiss her neck. Liana immediately turned her head away.
He didn’t push it, just watched her quietly.
After the wedding, his desire had spiked. He used to think sex wasn’t a big deal—until their first time. Then he couldn’t get enough.
But the way she was acting now…
Elian’s gaze was dark, intense enough to swallow her whole.
Sensing his displeasure, Liana didn’t dare avoid him again.
She didn’t know why she looked at him, but when she did, she felt so small.
Her once gentle, caring husband had suddenly transformed into a cold man on a throne. It felt as if she resisted now, her cancer-stricken mother would be thrown out of the hospital, her life ending instantly.
She quickly found her place. A bitter taste filled her heart, but her voice was soft and coaxing. “Could you go shower first?”
At least tonight, she didn’t want another woman’s perfume on him.
“Together.”
Her delicate, obedient tone stirred something in him. He swiftly scooped her up from the floor, carrying her toward the bathroom.
Liana couldn’t resist. She looked at his sharply defined features, bitterness spreading through her. She lowered her gaze, refusing to meet his eyes.
In just two days, he’d gone from a doting husband who gave her the world to a domineering oppressor.
He set her on the bathroom counter, cupping half her face with one hand, his kisses descending on her lips, possessive and demanding.
It felt different this time. This kiss made her heart ache. Instinctively, she tried to push him away. He stopped, his deep eyes boring into her, scrutinizing.
Liana kept her eyes downcast, her hands slowly going limp. But Elian lifted her chin, his command low. “Mrs. Locke, look at your husband.”
Forced to meet his gaze, Liana forgot to breathe.
She loved him.
She’d given him her whole heart, holding nothing back.
Why hadn’t he mentioned a word about his other family? How was this different from fraud?
Her heart felt like it was being battered by a tidal wave, but she couldn’t utter a single question.
Elian claimed her mouth again, his warm fingers deftly slipping beneath her clothes.
She used to love his touch. Now, it just made her feel sick.
His kisses trailed from her lips to her neck. Just as she was about to gag, he suddenly stopped.
His phone rang.
Liana’s breath hitched at the sound. Elian’s kisses halted.
He pulled the phone from his pocket, glanced at it, his brows furrowing. His fingers, still resting on her skin, idly traced patterns as he put the phone to his ear. “What’s wrong?”
“Elian, the baby won’t stop crying for Daddy.”
The woman’s voice on the other end was soft and sweet. They were so close, Liana heard it clearly.
“I’m on my way.”
Elian hung up quickly, withdrew his hand from her clothes, and habitually smoothed her outfit.
But when he looked down, he caught a flicker of relief in her eyes. Irritation flashed through him. He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. “Want me to leave?”
“No.”
She lied, afraid to anger him.
“The kid’s been running a high fever. The doctor said he needs to stay calm. I have to go soothe him,” he explained.
Liana watched his calm expression. A tide of bitterness welled up inside, threatening to overflow.
He could state the child’s existence so casually, without a hint of guilt toward her.
“Okay.”
What else could she say?
She didn’t know why he wouldn’t divorce her, but one thing was crystal clear—he absolutely, undeniably, had a child with someone else.
“Don’t rush the civil service exam. Get some rest.”
Out of habit, Elian kissed her forehead before leaving.
Liana sat quietly on the bathroom counter, not moving a muscle.
People always said the wealthy were masters of time management. She never believed it. Now she did.
Slowly, she looked toward the door. He was gone. Soon, she heard the soft click of the door closing.
Just like their marriage. Quiet on the surface.
After he left, heavy rain poured all night.
He didn’t return, of course. Her alarm woke her at 6:30 the next morning.
In his parents’ house, sleeping in wasn’t an option.
After breakfast, Liana hurried to the hospital. The cancer had wasted her mother away to under ninety pounds. She lay weakly in the hospital bed.
“Have a baby soon. It’ll distract you. Stop fussing over a dying woman like me.”
Her mom, Jane Keane, stroked her gaunt face, aching for her.
“Mom, I—”
“Elian’s here.”
Before Liana could finish, Jane looked past her with a smile.
Jane had always been very pleased with Elian.
“Yes. Brought you some soup.”
Elian held a thermos and slipped a hand over Liana’s thin shoulder. “Has it been a while since your last period?”
“Really? Liana, are you pregnant?”
Remembering her daughter’s unfinished sentence, Jane grew excited.
Liana’s heart pounded heavily for two beats, but she quickly said, “My period just ended a couple of days ago.”
“Hey now, you’ve been trying for two-three months. What if something’s wrong? Since you’re both at the hospital, why not get checked?”
Hearing her daughter had just finished her period, Jane sighed, a little disappointed.
“Maybe the timing’s just off,” Elian said humbly, releasing Liana’s shoulder to turn and pour the soup for Jane.
But just as he unscrewed the lid, before he could pour, Liana’s stomach churned violently. Her face flushed, then paled. She covered her mouth and bolted from the room.
Elian stopped pouring, his gaze following Liana’s retreating figure.
“What’s wrong with her?” Jane asked, concerned.
Liana found she couldn’t stand the smell of meat lately. She retched until her stomach was empty. A familiar handkerchief appeared in front of her. She glanced at it, then took it to wipe her mouth. “Thanks.”
“How long?” he stared at her pale face, asking seriously.
Liana’s heart jolted. Her eyes widened involuntarily.
Did he know about the pregnancy?
No, impossible. I’d thrown the test away.
She forced herself to stay calm, replying evenly, “How long for what?”
“Excuse me, is Mr. Locke here?”
Before she got an answer, a woman’s voice came from outside.
Elian walked out first.
Though confused, Liana felt a sliver of relief at the interruption.
Jane’s private room was the best in the Locke Group’s private hospital, complete with a kitchen and bathroom. The woman stood at the doorway, quietly observing the room.
“And you are?”
Jane looked at the elegant young woman who had appeared.
“I’m Anya Forrest, Mr. Locke’s new secretary. You must be Mrs. Keane. Pleasure to meet you. I’m here to remind him of the meeting. The car is waiting downstairs. He—”
“Wait downstairs.” Elian emerged from the bathroom, his tone flat as he looked at her.
Liana stood right behind him, her heart leaping into her throat.
That is Anya?
The one who dumped him?
Liana stared at the woman’s eyes, so similar to her own, and her breath caught.
No wonder he’d picked her two years ago. Had he made her a stand-in?
Anya wore a simple professional dress, her hair a chic chin-length bob, with low-heeled pumps matching her outfit. Simple, yet stunningly beautiful.
Sensing Elian’s displeasure, Anya glanced at Liana, giving a polite nod. “Of course, Mr. Locke. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Though shocked, Liana knew Anya’s appearance today was no accident.
When Elian was leaving, Liana walked him out herself. He turned to face her at the door, waiting for her to speak.
Seeing that he seemed to see right through her, Liana went straight to the point. “Is it her? The baby’s mother?”