Too Late, Mr. Cooper: Your Bride Ran with Your Baby novel Chapter 172

Linton stiffened abruptly, his breathing suddenly becoming labored.

Fearing he hadn't heard her, Liliana lifted her head to look him straight in the eye and repeated, slowly and deliberately, "Linton, listen to me carefully. I don't want you anymore. That's the reality. We're done. It's impossible. It's over!"

By the end, her voice had risen to a raw, desperate shout. "Do you understand? We are over!"

Her pale lips trembled, and her eyes grew red. A stinging sensation filled her nose, and she felt the sudden urge to cry. She was crying from pure rage.

Who the hell did this damn man think he was? What gave him the right to imprison her, to restrict her freedom?

Linton's broad shoulders trembled, his face ashen. The pain in his chest was so intense he could barely breathe.

"Liliana..."

His voice was tight. He looked at her pleadingly, trying to take her small, delicate hand. "Don't be angry, don't get so worked up," he coaxed. "I was just kidding with you. You're not pregnant. It was just me fantasizing. I just... I hope you're pregnant. I want us to have a child."

He had, in fact, been testing her. But he hadn't expected such a volatile reaction. Terrified of pushing her too far, of truly breaking her spirit with his provocations, he dropped to his knees on the floor before her. He clutched her hands tightly, his eyes red and his lips trembling.

"Liliana, it's my fault," he said, his voice hoarse. "It's all my fault. I'm the one who pushed you to this point."

"I saw your therapist's report, Liliana... I'm sorry. I didn't know before. I didn't realize you were actually sick." Linton had always assumed she was just acting out. Just like the countless times before, when she would find an excuse to throw a tantrum, demanding that he soothe her.

And once he had coaxed her back into a good mood, she would return to his side, smiling, and they would go on as before.

Liliana looked at him steadily. "Really?"

"Really. I'm not lying to you." A faint smile touched Linton's lips.

Still kneeling, he wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her close and resting his forehead against hers.

It was an intimate posture; an unknowing observer might have mistaken them for a pair of star-crossed lovers.

He lowered his gaze, the corners of his eyes still red. "Liliana, please don't misunderstand," he whispered, his voice a low, humble plea. "I really was just worried about you. Do you have any idea how terrified I was when I found out someone almost kidnapped you? I was so afraid of losing you. I can't even imagine it. I was terrified that if I'd been a moment too late, it would have been a mistake I'd regret for the rest of my life!"