Chapter 106

Miranda let out a weary sigh. "Forget it. America's too far. No need for Shannon to travel back and forth like that.

"Steven's to blame for this anyway. He had to send her overseas. Now I can't even see her when I want."

Marian's resentment bubbled under the surface. "You're right, ma'am. I bet it was all Lucie's idea. Maybe you could talk to Mr. Heath-ask him to bring Shannon home early?"

Miranda's face tightened. "No, let's just let Shannon stay abroad for a while. The media was out of control with those rumors, and we've only just managed to calm things down. This isn't the time to stir up more trouble."

She wasn't naive.

As much as she despised Lucie, she didn't really want her son to get divorced. She could see right through Marian and her daughter's ambitions, and she knew Shannon was desperate to marry into the family.

Miranda was even more practical than Steven. Even if her son did end things with Lucie, there was no way she'd ever let Shannon become the Heath family's daughter-in-law. She'd find someone else—someone from the right background.

But then again...

Men will be men. Some of them even keep mistresses out in the open. Honestly, Miranda wouldn't mind if Shannon became her son's side piece.

Later, a nurse wheeled Lucie into a VIP hospital room.

Lucie lay on the bed, barely conscious, an IV in her hand and an oxygen mask over her mouth and nose.

Steven sat by her side, still shaken. He held her hand tightly, his eyes rimmed red, tears streaming down his face.

"Lucie, are you feeling any better? Does it hurt?" His voice was rough with worry.

Lucie didn't even open her eyes. She couldn't stand the sight of him.

No one shed faker tears than he did.

No one knew how to put on a show like Steven.

The devoted husband, the perfect gentleman, the guy who adored his wife played every role without

missing a beat.

And to make it worse, he was absurdly good-looking. Every feature seemed designed to make women fall for him.

A devil in a gorgeous disguise. That kind of man was dangerous for any woman.

That's exactly why he swept her off her feet in just three months. Elia had chased her for three years and never had a chance. Of course she's never a fan of Elio's wild, cocky

attitude.

"Lucie, if you feel any pain, let me know, okay?" Steven said softly, brushing the stray hairs from her face.

He smoothed her hair, then stroked her cheek and the top of her head, gentle as if she were a beloved pet.

Real affection is hard to hide.

Maybe he didn't love her anymore.

But he di

Cate about her. He liked,

having her around With her close

he felt a quiet, healing kind of

peace.

He hated who he used to be. He hated the life he used to live before she showed

up.

Lucie slowly slipped off her oxygen mask, her hand trembling as she pushed his away. "Don't touch me."

"Lucie, please, you still have an IV in. Don't move too much. Do you have any idea how scared I was today...?"

The more gentle he tried to be, the more she wanted to pull away. His touch made her skin crawl.

"Steven, aren't you tired?" Her voice was hoarse.

He stared at her, confused.

Lucie's eyes filled with grief and bitterness. "How long are you going to keep pretending?"