His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49 A Bombshell News

She couldn’t understand it.

Did he really expect her to be Theo’s mother?

“If I want children, I’ll have my own.”

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She walked to the box in the corner, pulled out his clothes she’d packed, and tossed them onto the sofa. “Get dressed and leave. You’re not welcome here.”

Boom!

A deafening clap of thunder shook the building, followed by a flash of lightning. The gentle drizzle outside instantly transformed into a torrential downpour.

Elian glanced out the window, then back at her. “How do we get out?”

“Figure it out. Just not here.”

The timing of the storm was uncanny, but Liana hardened her heart.

“It’s late September. It’s cold already. With this storm, and Theo terrified of thunder… if he sick, who’s responsible?” He pressed, his tone still maddeningly patient.

“Whoever is responsible, it won’t be me. I’m an outsider. Now put your clothes on and go.”

She sounded harsh, even to her own ears.

But his constant focus on Theo’s well-being was grating.

I’ll give my son a name with an even better meaning.

gets

Theo, after being held by Elian for a moment, leaned toward Liana again, reaching his small

arms out,

Liana saw it, bristled. “You precious little prince-I’m not holding you.”

It was childish, and she knew it.

Elian’s brow furrowed, but then a resigned, almost amused smile touched his lips.

He whispered to Theo, “Go call her Mommy.”

Theo, ever obedient, toddled over as soon as he was set down and wrapped his arms around Liana’s leg. “Mommy.”

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Chapter 49 A Bombshell News

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Liana stared, speechless, her eyes darting from the boy to Elian and back.

Elian merely gave her a faint, knowing smile before walking past her, heading straight for her bedroom.

“Mommy, hug.” Theo patted his own hands, then reached for hers.

Her heart gave a complicated squeeze. You little traitor to your own mother.

But then another thought surfaced. “I should record this. Show Anya that her precious son will call anyone ‘Mommy.”

But then again…

A sudden, chilling realization dawned.

If she didn’t finalize this divorce soon, what was to stop Elian from someday taking her baby and having another woman be called “Mommy”?

She needed to be careful. She couldn’t afford to push him to outright hatred. She needed to keep some options open.

Elian emerged wearing the pajamas he’d left behind. Liana glanced at him, and against her will, her pulse quickened.

He was objectively handsome-not just his face, but his build. His skin was unfairly flawless. Now, in dark silk pajamas, he was a vision no woman could ignore.

Idiot. Don’t be fooled by the packaging.

He moved through her small apartment with ease. Theo, curled on her lap, soon fell asleep.

Outside, the storm raged on, lightning illuminating the room.

Late September storms were cold and relentless.

Liana looked down at the sleeping child, lulled by the rhythmic sounds of Elian moving quietly in the kitchen. The domesticity of it was dangerously soothing.

Elian fixed himself some toast, cleaned the kitchen, and when he returned, he found them like that-Liana, who’d been so adamant about them leaving, had fallen asleep on the sofa with Theo cradled protectively in her arms.

Elian’s chest went warm. He stepped forward quietly, lifting Theo from her embrace.

Liana stirred slightly at the movement, her eyes fluttering open briefly.

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Chapter 49 A Bombshell News

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Hearing a door click shut, she assumed they’d gone. She pulled his shirt over herself and curled up tighter on the sofa, drifting back to sleep.

Until she smelled it-the familiar, masculine scent of his body wash, not her own. Her eyes flew open. “You-”

“Shh.”

A warm palm covered her mouth. He sat beside her, leaning down until their faces were inches apart.

Her long eyelashes fluttered nervously as she stared up at him, wary.

His voice was a low, intoxicating rumble. “No more using your hands tonight.”

He didn’t get the chance to use anything else.

His phone rang. He answered, listened briefly, and pulled back abruptly. “Anya’s been in a car accident. I have to go to the hospital.”

He was gone in an instant.

Liana lay on the sofa, listening to the pounding rain. It was almost laughable.

Minutes ago, he was a guy burning with raw desire; the next second, he flipped the switch and turned into a stoic gentleman.

Later, Liana tried to head back to her room. But Theo shuffled out of the small guest room, all sleepy and cute.

The next day, a bombshell news broke.

“BREAKING: Mr. Elian Locke Spends Night at Hospital with First Love.”

The comments section exploded.

[My friend saw them yesterday! Elian, Anya, and their son having a cozy lunch with friends. Picture attached! Looks like the real family. His wife’s days are numbered.]

[What wife? She’s a homewrecker! And a teacher? The school should kick her out!]

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