Chapter 145

Steven still wasn't responding. Shannon's breath came faster and, emboldened, she let her hand slide hesitantly down to his abdomen, her lips trembling as she pressed gentle kisses along his jaw and cheek. Ever since she first realized her feelings, she'd dreamed of being with him, of being his wife. But he'd never given her the chance.

Steven, half-delirious with fever, barely registered the soft touches. His head was pounding, his body aching, and after what had happened the other night, he felt completely drained.

"Don't... honey, please. I don't feel good..." he mumbled, thinking it was Lucie beside him, and weakly caught the wandering hand.

"Steven, I love you. I want to be your wife," Shannon whispered.

He didn't push her away. He thought she was Lucie. Shannon's heart pounded even harder. She carefully lifted the blanket, slipped out of her clothes, and climbed into bed with him.

"Steven... Steven..." she breathed, kissing him softly.

His skin was burning. He felt the cool touch of her body and instinctively pulled her closer, responding to her kiss. "Don't leave me, honey," he murmured.

"I'd never leave you, Steven. Never," she whispered, hands nervously fumbling with his waistband.

Then, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. Lucie was shy, always a little reserved. She'd never do something like this. At most, she'd kiss his cheek.

"Steven..." Shannon whispered again.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He glanced down and realized who was in his

arms.

Everything inside him went cold. He shoved her away, face twisted with shock. "Shannon? What are you doing? What the hell is this?"

Shannon flinched but didn't back down. She was desperate now. "Steven, I love you. Please, don't push me away. I don't want anything else, I just want to be with you," she pleaded, leaning in to kiss him again.

"I know you like me. Why keep pretending? What's so special about Lucie? She doesn't even want you. You still have me!"

"Get out!" Steven's voice was ice. He threw her off the bed.

Shannon landed hard on the floor, naked and shaking. "Steven, please... please don't push me away," she begged, trying to cover herself.

He glared at her, voice low and furious. "You have no shame. Get out."

She trembled, humiliated and terrified. "Steven, please don't be mad. I just love you. I don't need anything else. I don't want a title or anything. I just want to be with you," she sobbed, crawling closer.

He had reached his breaking point. He slapped her, the sound ringing through the room. "Get out. Don't let me see you again."

He'd never looked at her that way.

He'd been good to her, cared for her, but only because she looked

so

much like her aunt, something about her face always made his heart soften, but that was all.

Shannon pressed a hand to her cheek, eyes brimming with tears as she scrambled to her feet, pulled on her dress, and fled the room in tears.

She barely made it out the door before running straight into Miranda in the hallway.

"Hey, watch it! Who-" Miranda started, then recognized Shannon's tear-streaked face.

"I'm sorry," Shannon whispered, barely pausing as she ran past.

"Shannon, what happened?" Miranda called, but Shannon was already gone.

Marian caught sight of her daughter, dress askew and hair a mess, and worry twisted inside her. "What's going on?"

"Let's just check on Steven," Miranda said, pushing open the door to his room.

Inside, Steven was pulling on his pants, the blanket on the floor and the bed a mess. Miranda froze, stunned, Marian took one look and instantly understood everything her heart dropping. Her daughterand Mr. Heath just... That foolish girl!

"Mom, why are you here?" Steven asked, voice tight.

"Steven, you and Shannon-" Marian started.

"Nothing happened," he cut in, frowning. "You're overthinking it."

Miranda and Marian exchanged a look. "Are you feeling better?" Miranda asked.

"A little," Steven replied.

"Good. I'll get the doctor to come change your dressing," Miranda said quickly, making an excuse to leave with Marian.

Out in the hallway, Marian put on a worried face. "Madam, what are we supposed

to do now? Shannon is still an innocent girl. We can't just ignore this."

Miranda let out a long sigh. "Young people are reckless. There's only so much we can do. Let's see what

happens. If Steven and Shannonet

really do have feelings for each

other, we might just have to turn a blind eye. Steven already has a

family,

the Heath reputation

matters. Shannon will have to learn to keep things quiet."