Chapter 142

Steven winced as pain shot through his arm, cold sweat sliding down his

forehead. The fever wasn't helping he could barely stay on his feet, swaying for a moment.

Shannon rushed up and steadied him. "Lucie, what's wrong with you? Can't you see he's hurt? How can you treat him like this?”

"Get out of my way," Lucie snapped, her voice icy. Just being near Steven and Shannon made her skin crawl. She just wanted to leave, to get as far away from them as possible.

Shannon's eyes filled with tears. "Why are you being so mean?”

Lucie's expression was stone cold. "If you don't move, I'm not going to be nice about it."

Shannon started sobbing, turning to Steven for backup. "Steven, look! She's always bullying me!"

Steven's head spun, but he forced himself to look steady. "Lucie, please, just go back to your room, okay?" He reached out to her, almost on instinct.

A loud slap echoed down the hallway as Lucie hit him again.

Steven's face jerked to the side, but he straightened, grief etched deep in his features. “Go ahead. Hit me as much as you want. If it'll help, just do it."

Lucie's lip curled. "Touching you just disgusts me." She turned on her heel and stormed toward the elevator.

"You're not leaving," Steven called, his voice rough. "Not until the doctor says you can. I'm not letting you go."

That was it. Lucie's anger exploded. She shoved him hard. "Steven, just get out of my way!"

Shannon jumped in, grabbing Lucie's arm. "What is wrong with you? Look at him! He's sick and you're still being violent? You're so rude, Lucie!"

Lucie had had enough. "Just shut up." She spun and slapped Shannon across the face.

Shannon shrieked, clutching her cheek and stumbling into Steven's arms. "Steven!"

Steven's jaw tightened. "Lucie, hit me all you want, but don't touch her."

"Both of you, get away from me!" Lucie shouted, her voice cracking. Without thinking, she grabbed the metal trash can by the elevator and started swinging.

"Go to hell, both of you!"

Shannon, smaller and slower, took the first hit. The trash can crashed down on her head and she crumpled to the ground, wailing. Lucie didn't stop; she swung again and again, until Steven threw himself in front of Shannon.

"Lucie, what are you doing? Are you crazy?"

For the first time, Lucie totally lost control. “I am crazy! Steven, I wish you were dead! Just go to hell already!"

She battered him with the trash can, hitting him over and over. Steven just stood there, taking it. The last blow landed with a sickening thud on his head. Blood began to trickle down his face.

Shannon and the nurses screamed. "Mrs. Heath, stop! Please, stop!"

Steven's legs buckled. He staggered, then collapsed to the ground, unconscious. "Steven! Steven, wake up!"

The nurses rushed to bring a wheelchair. "Come on, get Mr. Heath back to his room!"

The red haze in Lucie's mind faded. She dropped the trash can, her chest aching as the anger finally released its grip.

The elevator chimed and the doors opened. Without looking back, she stepped in pressing the button to close the doors. All she wanted was to get away. She never wanted to see Steven again-not until their court date, and maybe not even then.

Outside the hospital, Lucie wandered aimlessly. The sun was too bright, making her dizzy. She sat down on a stone bollard by the street, waiting for her head to clear.

Ten minutes later, Ruby hurried out with her paperwork. "Ms. Anderson, are you okay? You look really pale."

Lucie exhaled slowly, trying to steady her nerves. "I'm fine. Just a little dizzy."

"Where should we go now?"

"Let's go back to the antique gallery."

"Are you sure you're up for it?"

"I'm fine. Let's just go."

"Alright, I'll bring the car around."

A minute later, Ruby pulled up. Lucie slid into the passenger seat, leaned her

head back, and closed her eyes, trying to block out the world.

They'd barely driven a few blocks before Lucie's phone vibrated. She dragged it out of her pocket without much interest It was a message

from

Mira There was a plato and

screenshot of a newspaper article.

She opened the photo. It was Steven at some ribbon-cutting event, standing beside a girl. He looked sharp in a suit, smiling for the cameras. The girl was young and stunning, with a strong, confident presence.

Is that Shannon? Lucie frowned. No, on closer look, it wasn't. The woman had similar

features almond-shaped eyes met?

delicate nose, a pointed chin-But she was healthier, brighter, more alive than Shannon had ever seemed. Her energy just filled the frame.