Too Late, Mr. Cooper: Your Bride Ran with Your Baby novel Chapter 103

Linton’s expression soured. He had genuinely wanted a child with Liliana.

But the words came out wrong, and he quickly backpedaled. "Fine. If you don't want one, we won't. It's all up to you."

He subtly shifted closer to Liliana, their shoulders almost touching. To an outsider, they would have looked like a couple who had arrived together.

Liliana frowned, uncomfortable with his proximity. She sidestepped toward Mr. Foster. "Professor, why don't I help you greet your guests?"

Mr. Foster smiled. "An excellent idea. Let me introduce you around. Many of the biggest names in the fashion world are here tonight. Making connections will be good for your new company."

He paused, then added pointedly, "You and Aiden should come along together."

With his hands clasped behind his back, Mr. Foster walked ahead, proudly showing off his two most brilliant protégés to his old friends.

Linton was left standing alone, his handsome face shadowed. A dark, brooding energy emanated from him.

His gaze was locked on Liliana's slender, graceful back.

The realization that she was deliberately ignoring him, treating him like he was invisible, was a dagger to his heart.

Seeing her standing beside Aiden, the picture of a perfect couple, laughing and chatting, made the knot in his chest tighten until he could barely breathe.

He stared for a long time, the air around him growing cold and heavy, so much so that nearby guests held their breath, terrified of drawing his ire.

After what felt like an eternity, Liliana still hadn't glanced back at him once. The sight of her smiling with Aiden was an unbearable thorn in his side.

Linton couldn't take it anymore.

His lips tightened into a thin line, and a bitter, humorless laugh escaped him. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he shoved a hand in his pocket and stormed away.

From the corner of her eye, Liliana caught a glimpse of Linton's solitary figure leaving in a huff.

Mr. Foster gave her a knowing look. "Aren't you going to go after him?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

Liliana laughed softly. "Professor, please don't tease me. And you don't need to test me, either."

When she woke, she found her mother, sitting by her bedside, watching her with a loving expression. "Liliana, you must be exhausted from working on the company."

Mrs. Hart tenderly stroked her daughter's face, which had grown thinner. "You mustn't push yourself too hard, my dear. If you need help, you have to tell us."

Liliana knew her mother was just concerned, but she was serious about her business. "The company is just starting out, so it's normal to be tired. Weren't my brother and Dad the same way when they first took over their company?"

She added with determination, "If they could do it, so can I. Mom, I don't think I'm any less capable than they are."

Mrs. Hart was taken aback.

At first, she had thought Liliana was starting the company simply to distract herself from the breakup with Linton, that it wasn't a serious endeavor.

Hearing the conviction in Liliana's voice, Mrs. Hart's face softened with apology. "You're right. It was wrong of me to think that."

"It's a wonderful thing for you to be serious about your business. A woman who is independent and dedicated to her career is the master of her own destiny. She won't be at anyone's beck and call."