Too Late, Mr. Cooper: Your Bride Ran with Your Baby novel Chapter 438

A deep look of hurt crossed Linton's handsome face. His lips trembled, and he staggered back a step. His deep, narrow eyes narrowed in pain.

"Liliana…"

Linton looked at her, completely devastated.

He lowered his head, his gaze lingering on the baby sleeping sweetly in his arms. A bitter, self-deprecating smile touched his lips.

A vicious pain tore through his chest, as if his heart were being ripped to shreds by merciless hands, leaving it a bloody mess.

He took a sharp breath, his face pale as he fought against the waves of agony. His voice was broken and raspy, as if forced from his throat. "If you don't like it, you don't have to send the baby away. I'll go."

"I've said it before, the baby is yours. I won't fight you for her."

Linton tried to soothe her, his dark eyes filled with a profound reluctance and deep affection. He managed a faint smile and spoke gently.

"I was only looking after her temporarily anyway. Now that you're back, it's time to give her back to you."

Linton hesitated. He lowered his eyes and, after a few seconds of silence, clenched his jaw and forced his long legs to move. He slowly walked toward Liliana and carefully placed the sleeping Amelia into her arms.

As if sensing the change, Amelia frowned slightly. Her little mouth made a discontented sucking noise before she whimpered.

"Mmm… mmm…"

Linton's gaze softened as he looked at her. He gently stroked Amelia's chubby, round cheek and chuckled softly.

"Amelia…"

"Promise Daddy you'll be a good girl for Mommy from now on, okay?"

"Don't make any trouble for her. Be good, my sweet Amelia. Daddy loves you. He'll always love you."

Linton leaned down close to Amelia. After whispering these words to her with a gentle smile, a pang of pain shot through his eyes. He looked up at Liliana, his lips trembling as he opened them to speak, but no words came out.

Liliana stood perfectly still, holding Amelia. Her eyelashes were lowered, casting a shadow that hid the emotion in her eyes. Her face was a blank mask.

"Take care."

Fighting back the overwhelming reluctance in his heart, Linton took one last, pained look at the mother and daughter. Then, without further hesitation, he closed his eyes, steeled himself, and turned to leave.

His tall, straight back seemed unsteady, and he walked as if he were in a daze, as if his soul had been torn from his body, leaving behind a hollow shell.

Liliana's eyelashes trembled. The room fell silent, the only sound being the baby's soft breathing.

She looked up, her gaze slowly drifting to the window. She never once glanced at Linton as he left, her expression unreadable.

"Waaah… waaah…"

As if she sensed it, the familiar, comforting presence beside her gone, the baby's little mouth turned down. The moment Linton left, she began to cry at the top of her lungs.

"Waaaah!"

"Da… da…"