His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 The Family of Three

“It could be. Or not.”
That was Elian’s ambiguous answer before he left.
…
After Elian and Anya left, Jane asked her daughter, “You know Elian has a new secretary, right?”
The large private room fell silent. Liana handed her mother the soup. “Yes. He mentioned it before.”
“He has always been sincere with you. But with a secretary that beautiful, you should keep an eye out.”
Her mother accepted the bowl with a warning.
Would that even help?
They already have a child together.
The thought made Liana’s entire body tremble, as if she might shatter.
Her mother murmured again after a while, “Liana, does that Ms. Forrest look a bit familiar to you?”
“Familiar? No, not really.”
Liana’s mind was numb, but she wouldn’t burden her mother with this. It would only worsen her condition.
She changed the subject, chatting until her mother fell asleep. She then sat beside the bed, reading.
A text lit up her phone, “Tonight. Starlight Hotel. Room 5002.”
She currently taught ninth-grade math at Summit High. The department dinner had been planned days ago.
She arrived just before 7:30 PM. The night was beautiful, full of stars.
And under that starry sky, she saw them again—Anya and Elian.
Anya’s hand rested on the car roof and smiled, “Watch your head, Mr. Locke.”
Elian, buttoning his suit jacket, smiled back as he stepped out.
The sharp, black suit accentuated his tall, imposing frame, adding a touch of mystery.
His smile was intoxicating. But the moment he saw Liana, the warmth vanished from his eyes.
Anya, standing beside him, also seemed to notice Liana just then. She asked softly, “Want me to go explain? She looks like she got the wrong idea.”
“No need.” Elian’s reply was flat. He turned and walked away.
The wind was strong tonight, billowing his suit jacket back, revealing his trim waist, a sight that made any onlooker pause.
Anya gave Liana a polite nod before hurrying after Elian, the picture of a professional subordinate.
“Liana! Wow, you look absolutely stunning tonight.”
Her colleagues arrived. Quentin Conrad, stepping out of the first car, reached her first.
She wore a simple white dress, looking fresh and ethereal, like a fairy.
Well, at least in his eyes.
Flustered by the compliment, Liana looked down but offered a polite smile.
Elian stopped the moment someone called out to his wife. His sharp eyes caught the way the man was looking at her. He suddenly turned back.
Anya stopped too. “Mr. Locke, everyone is waiting.”
“You go ahead.”
With a terse command, Elian strode back to the entrance, stopping beside Liana.
Before Liana could process it, her hand was in his.
She looked reflexively at their joined hands, then up at him in confusion.
Hasn’t he already gone inside?
“Mr. Conrad. Long time no see.”
Elian extended a hand toward Quentin.
Man to man, Quentin sensed the hostility, but he reached out. Before their fingers could touch, Elian withdrew his hand.
The colleagues gathered around could feel the tense undercurrents but wisely stayed quiet.
“Seems you’ve been quite busy lately, Mr. Locke.”
Noticing Liana’s dazed, hurt look, Quentin addressed Elian.
“Indeed. My wife and I have been quite focused on trying for a baby.”
Elian looked down at Liana as he said this, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He kissed her forehead, then deliberately lowered his voice beside her ear, his tone intimate. “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll do my best to stay sober tonight. For the baby’s sake.”
Liana looked at him. She never knew he was such a good actor.
What did he care about the “quality” of the baby in her belly? The moment she learned about his child with someone else, she knew her own child would never be connected to him.
They would divorce eventually.
A man with another family—whoever wanted him could have him. She certainly didn’t anymore.
Elian wasn’t bothered by her silence. He gave her shoulder a squeeze and addressed the group. “Tonight’s on me. Please don’t hold back. My wife relies on all of you for support at work.”
Anya watched them walk in hand-in-hand. She made a call. “Bring the baby to the Starlight now.”
She hung up quickly, waiting for Elian by the elevator.
As Elian approached, she held the door open. He instructed, “Make sure the bill for my wife’s table is taken care of.”
“Yes.”
Anya followed him in, the elevator doors closing.
Just before they shut, her gaze lifted, seeing Liana and her colleagues across the distance. A flash of calculation passed through her eyes.
Liana and her group were moved to a much better private room. The drinks were all premium, priced in the tens of thousands.
Her colleague and longtime best friend, Lily Clark, sat beside her. “Hey, why the long face? Don’t tell me you’re upset we’re spending your husband’s money?”
Husband? Not for long.
“Not at all. Order more.”
Liana smiled faintly, encouraging everyone to indulge.
He was using her mother as leverage. Deep down, resentment simmered. Two years married, peaceful and warm—she’d genuinely thought he was all gentleman.
She thought she’d struck gold, married the perfect man. Turns out, in her twenties, she was still naive, mistaking manipulation for love.
“Hey, Liana, with booze this pricey, you gotta drink more than us, or we’ll feel bad.” A handsome colleague poured her a glass.
The others joined in, urging her to drink.
“I’ve had a stomach bug these last couple of days. The doctor said no alcohol. It’d be a shame to waste it—you all have to drink your fill.”
Liana didn’t want to ruin the mood.
Halfway through the meal, two plates of lobster were served. She couldn’t stand the smell and hurried out.
Lily, sensing something was off, followed. “Are you pregnant?”
After vomiting, Liana’s eyes were red. It took her a moment to catch her breath. She gave Lily a helpless smile, silently confirming it.
“Does Elian know?” Lily asked, concerned, seeing the tears in Liana’s eyes.
“I don’t plan on telling him. I want a divorce.” Liana turned, leaning against the sink, her voice low.
The taste in her mouth was awful. She turned to rinse.
“That secretary of his… is there something between them?”
Lily recalled the scene at the hotel entrance. They seemed closer than mere boss and subordinate.
It was as if Anya wasn’t really his secretary, just a lover playing a role.
Even if they were divorcing, Liana wouldn’t gossip about matters Elian hadn’t made public. She shook her head and walked out with Lily.
“Oh, I don’t know what’s up with our boy—he’s burning up, poor thing.”
The words reached them just as they exited the restroom. Not far away, at the entrance to another private room, Anya held a child, her face etched with worry.
Elian looked even more anxious, taking the boy. “Let’s get him to the hospital.”
As the family of three turned, their gazes collided with Liana’s across the hallway.