b9 /b

CHAPTER NINE

LIANA’S POV

ba /b

The car was dead silent. The only thing I could hear was my own shaky breathing. Killian didn’t say word. Not once. His

hands held the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and his jaw–God–his jaw was locked so tight it looked as if he was seconds away from exploding.

I didn’t even realize where we were going until I saw the road we were on. My stomach dropped. I knew this path.

We were going home.

Well… what used to be mine and Ryan’s home, but now suddenly belonged to someone else.

He pulled up to the front of the house and stopped suddenly. Without a word, he stepped out. I stayed in the car, frozen, my arms wrapped tightly around myself as if they could protect me from whatever was about to hap

happen.

Then I saw him walk to the back, pop the trunk, and start loading in our stuff, my bags, our clothesb, /beven Ryan’s toys, without even looking at me.

My heart started racing.

“Killian…” I called out softlyb. /b

He ignored me.

bI /bjumped out of the car and ran over when I saw Ryan’s little bag. His favorite toy was peeking out of the zipper. I tried to

grab it before Killian saw.

b“/bbNo /bplease just leave that,” I said quickly, holding it like it was the only thing keeping me standing.

But he took it from me easily. He nced at the name tag. Ryan.

His jaw tightened. He didn’t say anything. Just threw it into the trunk and mmed it shut. I flinched at the sound.

Then he turned to me, his eyes dark and furious.

“Where is he?” he askedb. /b

I blinked “Where is whob?/bb” /b

His face was cold and unreadable. “Where. The fuck. Is my son, Lianab?/bb” /b

I felt like the world had stopped moving. I couldn’t breathe.

“I–I don’t know what you mean,” bI /bsaid quicklyb, /btrying to lie even though my hands were shaking.

His eyebrow raised Just that small movement felt like a knife.

“Don’t Lie. To me.”

But I had to lie I had to protect Ryan I couldn’t let Killian take over his life and mess everything up

“He’s not yours,” I said, my voice trembling “bI /bgot pregnant bafter /bI left. It was with someone else. a one–night stand I had I- It’splicated b“/bbI /bughed nervously. “He’s not byour /bson.”

Killian didn’t move. Didn’t speakb. /bBut his silence was worse than yelling.

His jaw locked again His voice, when it cameb, /bwas coldb, /bbso /bcold it made my skin crawl.

“Whereb. /bDid. You. Keep. My. Son?!”

Tears filled my eyes. “Killian please-b” /b

“Where, Liana?!” he snapped, loud and angry. I jumped.

My lips trembled. “He’s… he’s with his nanny’s familyb,/bb” /bI whispered. “Just for tonight.”

He didn’t even blink.

“Get in,” he ordered.

I didn’t argue this time. I was too scared.

We drove in silence. The kind of silence that felt as if it could crush you. I gave

out.

him the address, barely able to get the words

????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????

????? ??

We arrived a few minutester.

Killian stepped out first, walking straight to the door like he had one mission, to get his back.

I followed behind, my legs shaking. My chest felt tight. I couldn’t swallow properly.

He knocked. The door opened almost right away.

bMr. /brk smiled as soon as he saw me. “Oh Liana. You’re here for Ryan? He’s asleep already.‘

Then his eyes moved to Killian. His face lit up.

“Ah–you must be Ryan’s dad,” he said with a smile. “He looks just like you.”

I froze.

My mouth opened to say something, anything, but Killian beat me to it.

“Yes,” he said calmly. “I’m here to pick him up.”

I wanted to vanish.

Mrs. rk came to the bdoor/b, then Rosa. all of them were smiling like this was normal.

“Oh wow,” Mrs. rkughed, eyeing Killian. b“/bYou never told us your man was this fine, Li!”

I forced the fakest smile I could manage.

”

“He served in the military rightb?/bb” /bshe added. “Rosa said he was away. When did hee backb?/bb” /b

Killian nced at me but answered smoothly. b“/bNot long ago. Just got back.”

bMy /bmouth went bdry/bb. /bThis couldn’t be real.

Then Mr. rk left and came back holding Ryan

He was fast asleep in his little pajamas, breathing softly and looking so peaceful.

2

Killian stepped forward and took him into his arms like bit /bwas the most natural thing bin /bthe world. Like he belonged there.

bMy /bchest tightened I couldn’t look awayb. /b

Mrs rk smiled b“/bYou guys shoulde in for tea. Just a quick one.b” /b

Killian shook his head, polite but firm “Thanksb, /bbut we have a flight. bNeed /bto take my family homeb./bb” /b

Family.

The word hit me so hard I could barely stand.

“Oh of course!” Mrs. rk said, then hugged me. “You never said he was this handsome,” she teased.

I gave her another fake smile and hugged her back, barely holding in my tears.

“Take care, dear,” she said before waving us off.

I followed Killian to the car, quite numb. He gently buckled Ryan in the back like he hadn’t just yelled at me minutes ago.

I got in beside him. He started the car without a word.

I stared at him. My heart was racing.

Ryan slept peacefully behind usb, /bunaware of the storm his parents were about to face.

Everything I had spent seven years hiding just fell apart in a single night.