Chapter 109

Every word out of his mouth felt like a knife-sharp, cold, and right on target.

Lucie could almost feel them sinking into her heart, each one landing with brutal precision.

"Steven, just shut up..." Her chest ached so badly it felt like her heart might actually quit on her. Her head was spinning, ears buzzing.

Seriously? This couldn't be happening.

Shannon had already been more than she could handle. But now she was supposed to aceept there was someone else someone he loved even more? It was too much. Steven was such a jerk.

"Babe, please don't be so upset. I know this is a lot, and you need time to process it. I'll give you space, okay? Just try to accept it, little by little."

Lucie felt empty, her voice flat. "Accept what? That you've got a wife and a mistress? Tell me who she is. How long have you two been together?"

Steven's face darkened. He wouldn't say a word.

Lucie's whole body trembled. Tears spilled down her cheeks in a hot rush. "You love her, don't you?"

Steven's eyes flickered, red-rimmed and haunted. He didn't deny it.

Lucie let out a shaky, bitter chuckle. Why had she even bothered to ask? If he didn't love that woman, why would he go through all this trouble? Why would he have a kid with her?

Maybe he just couldn't stand the thought of her fragile body going through childbirth. So he'd come up with this insane scheme, like something out of a bad soap opera.

"Every time you went overseas, it was to see her, wasn't it?"

Steven didn't answer, but he didn't have to.

Lucie felt like she'd been dumped into a freezing lake, numb and gasping. "If you love her so much, why didn't you marry her?"

Steven closed his eyes and let out a long, tired sigh. "She wouldn't marry me."

Lucie froze, her mind blank for what felt like ages. "And the baby? You could have picked anyone to carry your child. Why me?"

His eyes were even redder now. He didn't bother lying. "Because I didn't want my child to be born out of wedlock. He deserves a mother with a good reputation and a solid background."

Those words hit her like a punch to the gut. Tears blurred her vision until she could hardly see.

What a thoughtful father, she thought bitterly. He'd planned everything for his precious child.

"Thanks..." Her voice broke. "Thanks for letting me know the truth before I die." She didn't want to ask anything else. There was nothing left to say. All she could do now was walk away, before she lost even more.

Steven looked like he was in agony, reaching for her again. "But you're my wife now, Lucie. You matter most to me. I know I lied to you, but I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, I swear."

"Get out! I never want to see you again!"

Lucie collapsed against the side of the bed, fists clenched so tight her knuckles ached, pressing them hard agamist her chest to keep herself. from falling apart. She could barely breathe, a wave of pain rolling up from deep inside.

She'd always loved with her whole heart, never holding back. To her, marriage was sacred, the final

destination of love. Once you walked

in, you followed the rules fovalty

You

responsibility, real love. If you couldn't do that, you had no

business getting married at all.

Before the wedding, she'd asked him over and over if there was someone else he just couldn't let go of. But he'd played his part so well-acting innocent, curious, like he was falling in love for the first time. Looking back, she realized he'd practically studied how to be the perfect man. the knew exactly what women wanted to hear, and he could become whoever he needed to be.

"Lucie, please. Just give me one more chance. We have our whole lives ahead of

us. I'll be a good husband, I promise. I'll make you happy forever!"

His words were so ridiculous she almost laughed. Instead, she choked, coughing so hard she felt like she might spit blood.