The Anniversary Surprise That Ended Six Years of Lies Chapter 2

After sending the message, I turned and walked toward the elevator.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I forced them back down.

I sat on a sofa in the hotel lobby, waiting quietly.

Ten minutes later, the elevator doors opened.

Liam had changed into a navy blue button-down shirt, with gold-rimmed glasses resting on his high nose bridge.

He looked refined and elegant, showing absolutely no trace of the degenerate behavior happening in that room just moments ago.

When he saw me, his pupils constricted, and his footsteps halted for half a second.

But he quickly adjusted his expression and walked briskly toward me.

"Honey!"

He crouched in front of me, his face full of concern, and reached out to hold my icy hands:

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to get some rest at home?"

"Traveling is exhausting. I didn't want you to strain yourself."

I discreetly pulled my hands away and pointed to the cake box on the table:

"Today is our sixth anniversary. I wanted to surprise you."

Liam glanced at the cake, guilt flashing in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, honey. It's my fault I have to travel on a day like today."

"This is from your favorite bakery, right? Thank you so much."

Just then, the phone in his suit pocket vibrated.

He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, his expression shifting slightly, and then naturally hit 'decline' right in front of me.

"Just a spam call."

He explained, but his eyes couldn't meet mine.

Watching his guilty demeanor, I sneered inwardly.

My gaze swept over his collar. Even though he had purposely buttoned his shirt all the way up to the top.

As he looked down, my sharp eyes still caught the edge of a hickey on his neck.

Liam seemed to notice my gaze.

He instinctively adjusted his collar, stood up, and said:

"Honey, I have an incredibly important overseas conference call this afternoon."

"How about you go sit in the café for a bit, maybe get some hot milk? Once my meeting is over, I'll come right down and take you out for a massive dinner, okay?"

I abruptly stood up and grabbed the cake from the table.

"No need. Since you're busy, I won't bother you."

With that, I turned and headed for the hotel entrance.

Liam obviously didn't expect this reaction and hurriedly chased after me, grabbing my arm.

"Rylee, are you mad because I don't have time to be with you right now?"

"Be good, don't throw a tantrum. This project is really critical for the company..."

As he spoke, he leaned in, trying to kiss my cheek to coax me.

As he got closer, the smell of baby lotion drifted into my nose.

"Don't touch me!"

I violently shook off his hand and stepped back twice.

Liam froze, his outstretched hand suspended in mid-air.

"Rylee?"

I stared at him, forcing down the bitterness in my heart.

"I'm tired. I want to go home. Go do your work."

Liam checked his watch, hesitated for a moment, and still chose that mother and son.

"Honey, please don't be mad. I promise I'll make it up to you when I get back. That necklace you had your eye on? I already had someone buy it for you."

With that, he quickly turned and walked briskly back into the hotel.

Watching his eager, retreating back, I stood on the sidewalk, trembling all over.

Two cleaning ladies passing by were chatting.

"Wow, the guy in the presidential suite really dotes on his wife and kid."

"Yeah, every time he comes, he specifically asks for the baby crib with rounded edges. Says he's afraid the kid will bump his head."

"Just now I saw him peeling shrimp for the woman. Tsk, makes you jealous."

I couldn't hold it in any longer. I raised my hand and threw the cake box directly into a nearby trash can.