His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36 Do We Have a Future?

(70)

+5 Pearls

Hearing the quiet outside, Liana peeked into the guest room. Her gaze landed on Elian dressing Theo.

His movements were quick yet gentle, practiced. He’d clearly done this many times.

Well, Theo was already that big.

He was probably a good father. Attentive and caring.

Just… not to her son.

The thought was a sharp, quiet ache. She knocked softly on the door.

Elian glanced up, one hand pulling up Theo’s little jeans. He didn’t stop, but his attention was on her. “What’s up?”

“The courthouse opens at nine.” Her voice was flat.

Elian paused, Theo in his arms. It felt like invisible ants were crawling under his skin, maddening.

No need to ask-he knew why his wife wanted to go to the courthouse.

“Can you watch him for a minute? I need to fix his bottle. Won’t take till nine,” he said it casually.

It was barely past seven. There was plenty of time for a bottle. But Liana didn’t move to take Theo. Instead, she said, “You wait. I’ll make it.”

Elian picked Theo up and followed her out of the room, trailing her to the kitchen.

The feeling of him right behind her made her skin prickle. She turned. “Can’t you just sit down somewhere with him?”

“Do you know how?”

“You didn’t worry about that yesterday when you dumped him here all day.”

“It’s fine. Pretend we’re not here. Just getting our morning steps in.” Elian smiled, easy and infuriating.

He knew she picked things up fast-and besides, he’d had someone make her a guidebook for caring for a kid.

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11:59 Thu, Feb 12 = …

Chapter 36 Do We Have a Future?

$7.00

*5 Pearls

Liana gave up. As long as she didn’t have to hold the boy. She measured the formula powder into the bottle.

Elian and Theo followed her every move. As she poured the water, he murmured, “Check the temperature.”

Liana shook the bottle vigorously, fixing him with a cool look. “If you’re so worried about my competence, why’d you leave him with me yesterday? Weren’t you afraid I’d sell him?”

“You’re kind-hearted,” Elian said, the compliment rolling off his tongue with a smile.

Liana felt like she was getting played.

Right now, “kind-hearted” didn’t sound like a compliment at all.

It felt like a trap, a burden.

She finished mixing, remembering to test a few drops on the back of her hand like she’d seen in movies.

She handed him the bottle. “If you’re not sure, test it yourself.”

Elian took it, and just by holding the bottle lightly, he knew it was good. He passed it to Theo.

The boy grabbed it eagerly and started drinking.

Liana opened the fridge, pulled out a loaf of bread she’d bought days ago, and slid two slices. into the toaster. She paused. “You want some?”

“Thanks.”

Elian smiled like he couldn’t hurt a fly.

Truth was, his smile could.

Liana had to concentrate to maintain her facade of calm indifference, to pretend she didn’t care, didn’t love him anymore.

Ten minutes later, Theo was in the living room playing on his own. The toys Liana had put away were already scattered out again.

In the small breakfast nook, Elian and Liana sat across from each other, eating toast with scrambled eggs.

Liana’s cracked phone buzzed. She picked it up. A WhatsApp from Lily.

“Get me a couple of Elian’s hairs.”

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11:59 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 36 Do We Have a Future?

70

+5 Pearls

Liana stared at the screen, frowning, and sent, “???

“Trouble?” Elian asked, noticing her expression.

“No.” She quickly locked her phone, but her eyes drifted almost involuntarily to the strands of hair falling across his forehead.

If they needed a DNA test, hair wasn’t the only option. The mug he drank milk from, the sheets he slept in-hell, even the traces he might’ve left on her-all of that could work for extraction.

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