Too Late, Mr. Cooper: Your Bride Ran with Your Baby novel Chapter 27

By saying that, Linton effectively took all the blame onto himself. Anyone with a further complaint would have to direct it at him.

Isabella looked up at him in disbelief, biting her lip so hard it turned white. Her face grew taut with displeasure.

Liliana, too, was surprised. So, Linton did know how to stand up for her. But she didn't flatter herself into thinking he was doing it out of love. This wasn't about her. It was about him. He hated complications, hated the drama. This was just his way of shutting everyone up, of smoothing things over so he could have his peace and quiet.

It had always been his way.

Liliana’s lips curled into a cold smile. She was about to speak when another wave of nausea hit her, and she gagged, covering her mouth.

“Liliana!” old Mr. Cooper exclaimed, his face etched with concern. “What is it? Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m fine…” Liliana’s brow furrowed at the greasy smell of the food wafting from the table. “I just need to use the restroom,” she said, her face ashen.

She rose and left without a backward glance. Once in the bathroom, she could no longer hold it back. She collapsed over the sink, dry-heaving until bitter acid rose in her throat and tears streamed down her face.

Linton, thinking he had successfully soothed her and that she was now just seeking more reassurance, chuckled again. “What else could it mean?” he asked, his voice cool. “It means what it says. I have to take responsibility for you, Liliana.”

Responsibility. Always responsibility.

A self-mocking smile touched her lips. She couldn’t deny it; Linton was a man who took his duties seriously. It was how he had built the Cooper Group into a global powerhouse, a titan of industry. But she had never wanted his sense of duty.

Liliana kept her eyes closed. “Do you love me?” she asked softly. “Do you want to marry me because you love me, or because I’m your fiancée in a business arrangement and you feel obligated to?”