Chapter 15

Everyone in the suite parted without a word.

Mira and Angela's faces were drained of color, panic etched in their eyes.

"Mr. Heath, please, it's not what you think!" Mira stammered. “Lucie was with us the whole time."

"We were just having a girls' night out!" Angela chimed in desperately.

Steven didn't spare them a glance. His jaw was set, storm clouds gathering in his eyes as he marched forward, flanked by his bodyguards, and seized Lucie without hesitation.

...

Back at the house, Steven's anger erupted. He threw Lucie onto the bed with a force that left her breathless.

"Lucie, we're not even divorced yet, and you're already so eager to find another man?"

Lucie's head spun from the impact. "I wasn't-"

Steven tore off his suit jacket, yanking his tie free with a jerk. "No? Then what was that little scene with you draping yourself over that guy? Did you think I was dead and buried?"

Lucie's eyes flashed with cold defiance. "And you're always all over Shannon. Why is it fine for you, but the second I so much as talk to another man, it's a crime?"

Steven's temple pulsed with fury. "What did you just say? Say it again."

He climbed onto the bed, pinning her down like a predator closing in on its prey.

Lucie struggled, but his grip was iron. Her hope crumbled; her voice was hollow. "Just stop. Let's get a divorce."

Steven let out a bitter laugh. "So that's it. This is the plan you cooked up.

"You've been cheating behind my back, haven't you? Now you're just looking for a reason to walk away?"

His accusation sliced through her. "Steven, I'm not the woman you think I am. As long as we're still married, I would never betray you."

He knew she was telling the truth. Lucie had always been proper, almost old- fashioned. She rarely even went out at night. She'd been a virgin when they married.

He clenched his jaw. Clearly, this was just a stunt to get under his skin.

"I don't want this to ever happen again," he ground out. "But tonight, you've pushed me too far. And now, you're going to pay for it."

He forced her down, hands rough as he yanked at the zipper of her dress.

"No..." Lucie twisted away, fury and humiliation burning in her cheeks as she fought his punishing kiss.

"Steven, stop! Can't you handle anything without resorting to this?

"I've had enough! You owe me an explanation. Why is Cody blood type A?

"You told me he was O!"

Steven froze, just for a heartbeat. Guilt flickered in his eyes. "The hospital must have made a mistake."

Lucie glared, her trust shattering. "Don't

anymore

e to me. I'm taking Cody fort y test. I don't even knot

he's

if

A shadow of irritation crossed Steven's handsome face. "What's gotten into you

now? Can you stop with this nonsense?"

"No. I'm going tomorrow."

Steven's patience snapped. Rage overrode everything else.

He didn't bother with foreplay. His anger was cold and punishing as he forced himself into her.

"I'm trying to talk to you. Don't do this! Don't touch me!"

Her protests dissolved into a gasp of pain and a flash of pleasure.

It was pointless.

He was relentless, his ferocity nearly sending her into unconsciousness.

They hadn't touched each other in a week, and now he was wild, insatiable.

Normally, their routine was

strict-once at night, once in the morning, Sundays off. But tonight, all rules were shattered He took her over and over, driver by rage mistead of desire.

The next day, Lucie was so drained she couldn't even lift her head.

She slept deep into the afternoon, waking groggy and aching, every joint screaming in protest.

Steven was gone, off to work as if nothing had happened.

It was always the same: every time they fought he took it out on her in bed. He knew exactly how to push her past her limits, until she couldn't tell pan from pleasure, until she broke apart. Then, after, he acted as if their problems had been washed away.

But not this time.

She dragged herself downstairs.

"Where's Cody?" she asked the maid, her voice barely above a whisper.

"He went to the main estate, ma'am. He hasn't come back yet."

"But school's already started, hasn't it?"

The maid bowed her head respectfully. "Mr. Heath said Cody will be living at the

main house with the old lady from now on."

Lucie froze. "Why?"

"I'm not sure, ma'am. You'll have to ask Mr. Heath yourself."

Lucie's hands clenched at her sides. "Alright. I understand."

Her anger boiled over. Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and dialed

Steven.