“Not your child.”
Liliana corrected him. “My child. Watch your words.”
Linton’s eyes filled with a sudden, sharp pain.
His lips trembled, and he choked for a moment before correcting himself. “Your child’s father...”
Liliana cut him off coolly. “That’s none of your concern.”
“Whoever it is, it won’t be you. As long as you understand that.”
Liliana glanced down at the insulated container in his hands, a slow smile spreading across her lips. “Take it back. And don’t bring it again. Don’t show up in front of me anymore.”
“...I don’t need it.”
Her words were mercilessly cruel.
Linton felt his entire heart shatter.
His lips moved, and he carefully opened the container, then he said in a hoarse voice, “Liliana, just take a look, just one look...”
“See, Grilled Cheese with Apple Slices, Yogurt Parfait with Granola and Fruit... they’re all your favorites.”
“You used to be so picky, you’d only eat my cooking. You were never satisfied with anyone else’s, so I...”
Liliana said, “You said it yourself. That was the past, wasn’t it?”
Linton’s lean, tall frame went rigid.
He managed a faint, bitter smile, closing his eyes for a moment in a display of fragile brokenness.
Linton put the lid back on the container and placed it on the desk. His gaze fell to Liliana’s swollen belly, a dazed look in his eyes.
Come to think of it.
He had never had the chance to go with Liliana to a check-up, to see his own daughter with his own eyes.
Linton’s nose stung, and his eyes reddened as a raw, broken voice was squeezed from his throat.
He carefully tried to reason with her.
“Liliana...”
“Can... can I come with you to the next check-up?”
Without a second thought, Liliana refused. “No.”
After a beat, perhaps feeling her response was too harsh, she added calmly, “The baby has nothing to do with you, so don’t concern yourself with it.”

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