Too Late, Mr. Cooper: Your Bride Ran with Your Baby novel Chapter 211

Linton hung up the phone.

He stood under a large tree outside the two-story apartment building where Liliana lived.

The shadows of the leaves veiled his tall, lean figure.

A cigarette was clenched between his thin, well-defined lips.

The smoke drifted slowly upward, obscuring his deep, dark gaze and the inscrutable micro-expressions on his face.

From where Linton stood, he had a perfect view of Liliana curled up on the first-floor balcony, reading a book.

The petite young woman was leaning against a soft cushion on the windowsill, her long lashes lowered, a book cradled in her fair hands.

The warm sunlight spilled over her, wrapping her in a hazy glow that accentuated the delicate, beautiful features of her tranquil face.

A gentle smile played on her lips, bright and tender.

It was as dazzling as the sun shining down on her, a sight that made it impossible to look away.

Just as he remembered her.

Linton stared intently at Liliana's serene, delicate form, desperately suppressing the greedy longing and deep affection in his eyes.

A glass vase sat quietly beside her.

Inside, a bouquet of pale yellow carnations was carefully arranged.

Liliana seemed to adore the flowers.

As she read, her slender fingers turning the pages, she would occasionally glance up at the bouquet.

Then, a soft, gentle smile would grace her face, her mood clearly excellent.

The cigarette between Linton's lips burned down to its very end.

He plucked the butt from his mouth with his long fingers and slowly exhaled. He took one last, deep, lingering look at Liliana.

Then, he slowly turned and walked away.

...

Sitting in his car, Linton made one final call.

When the line connected, Gabriel’s cold voice came through.

"Hello?"

Linton's voice, usually as cool as fresh snow, was now raspy as he said heavily, "My brother-in-law Gabriel, it's me."

At these words, Linton's knuckles whitened as he gripped the phone tighter.

He squeezed it so hard his joints turned pale.

Gabriel didn't need a response.

He continued in his detached voice, "Leaving Liliana is for the best. For both of you."

"In this world, no one is truly indispensable to anyone else. Time will smooth everything over."

Gabriel was advising Linton that since things had come to this, since he had chosen to leave, he should just stay gone.

Let each other go.

Stop the mutual torment.

Let time fade the memories, let it bring peace.

Linton slowly lowered his gaze, his voice hoarse. "No one is indispensable..."

A faint, self-deprecating, bitter laugh escaped his throat. "Brother-in-law."

"The day you meet the love of your life, you'll understand."