Everyone gasped because they did not see that coming except for Jorge, who had helped Liam to prepare everything in order to convince Lana for the wedding ceremony. It was also his idea that Liam should ask Lana about it in front of everyone so Lana would not dare reject such a proposal in front of the elders who would surely back him up.

  "This is so sudden, Liam. Aren't we already married?" Lana asked and urged Liam to get up on his knees as soon as he put the ring on her finger.

  "This brat…" Mrs. Huang could not help but whisper into Lana's ear.

  "I agree with Liam so answer my son-in-law now with a yes! My only daughter deserves an extravagant wedding ceremony." Mrs. Huang added, scolding Lana with pouty lips.

  Lana chuckled and looked at everyone who was also encouraging her to say, 'yes' with their stares. She laughed, seeing Jorge with his begging hands gesture towards her.

  She looked at Liam with narrowed eyes before saying, "Alright, let's do that then…"

  That instant Liam hugged Lana and even lifted her up for a swirl.

  "Hey put me down… I'm full, do you want me to vomit?" Lana jokingly stressed and Liam immediately put her down only to give her one breathtaking kiss in front of everyone……

  "Dad, how come you look as if you are not as happy as you should be?that? Aren't you happy?" Miley beamed, noticing her father was not chuckling or laughing with them.

  Senior Sy had an awkward smile as eyes went on him. He scratched his head and muttered, "I thought the two of them were going to announce something else, like me going to be a grandfather already."

  Liam laughed and put his arm at his father's shoulder as he said, "Don't worry… We will make it happen soon."

  Then he looked at Lana and teased, "Right love?" followed by that devastatingly handsome wink.

  Lana's face blushed once more, and Liam was loving it every time he made her blush like that.

  "Anyway, let's all have a toast for this wonderful evening. For the future wedding ceremony and future grandparents!" Miley burst as she raised her glass of wine.

  Everyone did the same and cheered for the couple. Lana felt her cheeks were burning hard being the center of teasing for everyone because of her shameless husband, but that evening was full of laughter and she was really having a great time with her family.

  As expected, the elders became too busy with their own conversation while having wine, and it was all about the wedding ceremony. They were currently choosing the best date to do it.

  "Lana will be very busy next month, so I think it is better to fix a date after three months?" Senior Sy suggested and Mrs. Huang agreed since there was no need to rush because the two of them were already married legally.

  "Mom, father, me and Lana will just walk out for a while." Liam said as he pulled Lana out of the veranda of the restaurant where their table was set. There was a beautiful garden close to the restaurant where diners often went for a walk after eating.

  Liam and Lana walked there hand in hand for a while and then sat on a bench with their hands still clasped with each other.

  "Is there something you want to talk about?" Lana asked because she felt Liam had something he wanted to say to her in private. That was the reason for him to pull her out from the rest like that.

  Liam sighed and said, "Yeah. I wanted to tell it to you personally, Lana. And this matter… I think it's best we privately talk about it without the elders hearing it."

  "What is it?"

  Liam turned to look at her closely as he spoke, "It's about him… Martin Smith."

  He could not address the monster as her father because he did not deserve that entitlement.

  He believed that there were two types of evil persons, those who had the will to change and those who would never change. Lana's biological father fell into the second category just looking at the way he spoke to Liam.

  Lana bit her lip as she listened to Liam. This time, Liam pulled her in his embrace because he felt Lana's uneasiness when he mentioned her father's name.

  Liam wanted her to decide if she would like to tell it or not to her mother, so she asked, "Do you think it's better if my mom knows?"

  "Hmm, I think she has the right to know. I will assure her that there's nothing she needs to worry about because I'm here to protect you always. Yes, it's natural for her to get worried but I think she knows that I would do everything to ensure your safety so… But still it's up to you Lana since you know your mother better than anyone else." Liam voiced out his opinion.

  It was not a minor matter, so he believed they should discuss those kinds of things with Lana's mother.

  "Are you scared?" Liam asked while he put Lana's hand on his cheek. He wanted to know how she was feeling.

  Lana heaved a deep sigh and responded, "Yeah… But not as scared as before. His mere name and the thought of him used to make my body tremble in fear. I think now I'm not trembling in fear like before, but I must admit there's still a lot of fear of him in my heart. I'm scared that one day he will show up in front of me and hurt the people around me. Somehow, he loves to harm anything and anyone whom I love. I'm not scared for my safety Liam, but for the people I love."

  In her nightmares, it was always the same thing that happened… Her father wanted to kill all the people she cared for… Just like how he killed the stray cat she took in their home one evening and wanted to let it. He brutally cut the cat into pieces right in front of her. She lived in lingering fear for weeks after that She did not want to experience those things anymore. She did not want to see him killing the people she loved and cared for.

  She rested her head on Liam's shoulder and she felt Liam kiss her head. Then she heard him whisper, "I will do everything Lana to keep our family safe from any harm. I only have one request from you…"

  "What is it?" she whispered.

  "Please tell me everything. I hate things like martyrdom. We will fight against all odds…… together…… no matter what…… so please don't keep any secret from me whether it's small or big, especially on matters such as this, that concerns your safety. Always remember that two is better than one. Your fight is my fight, and the same goes with you… My fight will always be your fight. Let's do things together love…"

  Lana did not respond so Liam moved and turned then held her shoulders so he could properly look at her and said, "Promise me Lana."

  He did not like the hesitation in Lana's eyes but a sigh of relief escaped his mouth when Lana nodded lightly, followed by a whisper, "I promise."