His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 The Pillow Talk

That night, in a private room at a club, Elian held a glass of whiskey, silently listening to his friends.

Liana arrived and was about to knock when she stopped She wasn’t one to eavesdrop, but the conversation inside wasn’t one she could walk into.

“This divorce agreement was drafted just before I came. See if it works for you.”

“A divorce agreement from you is certainly flawless. But Elian, are you really going through with it?”

“Come on. Anya’s back. That woman is barely a speck in Elian’s heart.”

The three young masters finished speaking, but Elian offered no reaction. The lawyer, Nathan Chase, pressed on, “Are you concerned a divorce for Anya’s sake would harm the Locke Group’s reputation?”

Liana froze.

Was that the real reason he wouldn’t divorce?

“That’s a valid concern. You never had a wedding ceremony. How many people even know?” Jett Baird, the young master of the military clan, asked casually, as if it were nothing.

“But the marriage is a legal fact. Elian has worn his wedding ring for over two years.” Xander Sage, younger than Elian by a few months but already a capable head of the Sage family, reminded them all with his usual steadiness.

Hearing that, Elian glanced at the ring on his finger. It had been there so long, it felt like a part of him.

“Elian, do you have the guts to divorce or not?”

Jett, younger and pampered, spoke without filtering his thoughts.

Elian chuckled, “Nope.”

Everyone fell silent.

“Mrs. Locke.”

A voice interrupted them.

All eyes turned to the door.

It was slightly ajar. They heard Anya’s voice, but they say Liana.

Elian’s eyes narrowed instantly. His posture, reclining of the sofa, shifted slightly,

“Let me introduce you. This is Dr. Sean Forrest, the doctor in charge of the new drug research for your mom. He’s also my younger brother,” Anya introduced im gracefully.

Liana’s heart jolted. Anya’s brother was the doctor developing her mother’s new drug?

Anya added, “Don’t let his youth fool you. He’s brought many patients back from the brink.”

“Pleasure, Mrs. Locke.”

1/4

10:39 Wed, Feb 11

Chapter 7 The Pillow Talk

Sean was handsome and polite.

17%

+5 Pearls

Liana felt a sudden, sharp sense of danger, as if she’d stepped into a wolf’s den. She forced composure. “Hello, Dr. Forrest.”

“Look at Anya and Sean-so polite even though Liana satched Anya’s dream guy and married him. Truly a reflection of their upbringing. Now look at your wife… man, what a small-town vibe.”

Jett continued his unfiltered commentary.

But Elian only had eyes for the figure in the doorway, the one being called “small-town vibe.”

Soon, the door was pushed open from outside. Anya said to her brother, “Go in and say hello to everyone. I need a word with Mrs. Locke privately.”

“Okay.”

Sean entered.

Liana had to admit, Sean bore a striking resemblance to that man.

Seeing the flicker of loss on Liana’s face, Anya quickly composed herself. She stepped forward courteously and took Liana’s hand.

As the door closed, the men inside felt that Anya shouldn’t have to be so humble and solicitous toward

Liana.

“Mrs. Locke, I hope my return doesn’t cause any misunderstanding between you and Mr. Locke. We are merely boss and employee, and good friends now.”

Anya’s gaze fixed on Liana as she clarified, her tone considerate.

Liana found it almost laughable. She calmly withdrew her hand from Anya’s grasp.

“My husband has already explained your past. No need for concern, Ms. Forrest.”

“Has he? How did Elian-”

“Shall we go in?”

Liana didn’t want to stand outside alone with her any longer. She pushed the door open and entered first.

A flash of displeasure crossed Anya’s eyes, but she quickly masked it with a smile and followed.

As she walked in, she said lightly, “You weren’t gossiping about Mrs. Locke, were you? She was standing outside the door for a while, hesitant to come in. If you were, be careful of her pillow talk!”

Elian remained reclined on the sofa, his gaze still fixed intently on Liana.

Her style was always simple-hair pulled back, shirts and slacks on campus, or the occasional t-shirt and jeans, all from no-name brands. Nothing flashy. Behind her, Anya was head-to-toe designer, the picture of a socialite. Yet, Elian’s eyes were drawn to Liana.

Even he couldn’t figure out what he liked about her.

“Eavesdropping is rather low-class. And she dares talk about pillow talk?” Jett sneered, staring at Liana’s plain

214

10:39 Wed, Feb 11

Chapter 7 The Pillow Talk

face.

+5 Pearls

“Elian has been busy with Anya taking care of the baby lately. I doubt there’s been much opportunity for Ms. Keane’s pillow talk.” Nathan also looked down on Liana.

Only Xander watched as Liana calmly took a seat beside Elian, thinking this woman shouldn’t be underestimated.

They weren’t divorced yet. Liana saw no issue sitting net to him. But as she sat, she saw the divorce agreement on the table.

A bitter ache spread through her, but she picked up the document and began flipping through it.

Suddenly, the room fell silent. Even Jett, always ready with a sharp remark, just stared at Liana’s face.

Liana skimmed two pages, then continued casually.

Elian’s inscrutable eyes watched her closely.

After finishing, Liana set it down and said calmly, “If we divorce, it doesn’t need to be this complicated.”

Everyone froze.

Nathan, as the drafting lawyer, spoke first, “Meaning?”

“You’ve listed every detail, Attorney Chase, but the essence is simple-you don’t want me to get a share of Elian’s assets.”

“Of course. You’ve only been his wife for two years, haven’t borne a child, and made him live in that tiny apartment. You expect a payout?”

Nathan saw nothing wrong with his stance.

“I’ll leave with nothing,” Liana stated.

Elian’s expression instantly cooled. He took the document from her hands, flipping through it. Then he asked Nathan, “What do you take me for? If word of an agreement like this got out, I’d be a laughingstock.”

“I’ll draft a new one.”

Seeing Elian’s protective stance, Nathan quickly reached to take the document back.

Elian glared at him, holding his breath. If Liana weren’t here, he might have gotten physical.

“Ms. Keane, please don’t misunderstand. Nathan took it upon himself to draft this. Elian made no such decision.”

Xander, understanding Elian’s temper, offered a gentle explanation.

Liana heard all of it and felt worse-everyone had something to say except Elian.

Anya also chimed in, “Yeah, Liana, don’t misunderstand Elian. We’re all just joking around as usual. Don’t take it seriously.”

A divorce agreement is something to joke about? The though hit Liana.

Wed, Feb

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify