Chapter 17

Honk! Honk!

Jackson, Shannon's father and the Heath family's driver, leaned on the horn, then stuck his head out the window. "Ma'am, please move. We need to be on our way."

Lucie's expression turned to stone. Without a word, she strode straight to the front of the car and stood firmly in its path.

"Stop the car."

Jackson hesitated, glancing back at Shannon for direction.

Shannon rolled her window down with infuriating calm, letting her hand-adorned with a sparkling ring-rest on the edge. "Lucie, what are you trying to do?"

A bitter laugh escaped Lucie's lips. Her eyes never left Shannon's. "If anyone takes my son today, I'll call the police and report an attempted kidnapping.

"Let's get one thing straight, Shannon. I am Cody's mother. I am the lady of this house."

Shannon's gaze flickered with mockery. "Perhaps... but not for much longer."

Lucie planted her feet, voice cold and razor-sharp. "Maybe, someday, you'll get your wish. But today isn't that day. You're still not fit to take my place."

She let her eyes drop to Shannon's hand. "And why is my ring on your finger? Are you admitting to theft now?"

Shannon let out a breezy, triumphant laugh, wiggling her fingers so the diamond caught the light. "You must be confused. This was Steven's gift to me."

Acid burned in Lucie's chest.

The ring wasn't enormous. It's just nine carats. But it was a rare, heart-shaped pink diamond. She'd chosen it herself, believing it was the purest symbol of love.

And Steven hadn't given it to his wife. He'd handed it to the other woman.

Was he announcing her presence for all the world to see?

Lucie's voice was icy and co

"That ring was purchased on my account. Steven gave it away without my consent, and that's theft.

She didn't hesitate. "So, I'll be calling the police. For theft. And for attempted kidnapping."

Lucie pulled out her phone and began dialing, her movements swift and sure as she looped in her lawyer and assistant.

Shannon's composure finally

cracked. Her voice rose, sharp and trembling. "Lucie, don't push your luck! If Steven finds out you'

treating me like this, he wont let you get away with it!"

Cody, watching the chaos, started shouting at Lucie. "Bad mommy! Don't bully Aunt Shannon! If you hurt her, I'll make you pay!"

"Cody. Out of the car. Now." Lucie's patience snapped. She strode to the door, yanking at the handle.

Nothing and no one was going to stop her from getting that paternity test today.

"Keep her back!" Shannon barked at the bodyguards.

Immediately, the men moved to block Lucie's path.

Shannon had grown up under the Heaths' roof. Mr. and Mrs. Heath adored her. To the staff, she was already Steven's wife.

Lucie's stare was glacial, daring the bodyguards to try her. "I'd like to see you stop me."

She was no fragile, pampered wife. She was the head of the Anderson family, a powerhouse in the world of antiquities.

She'd braved ancient tombs alone at

midnight, restored priceless

artifacts and traveled the world solo

before she was twenty. Her tempera was slow to ignite, but she was anything but weak.

The bodyguards hesitated, cowed by the steel in her voice.

Lucie wrenched open the car door and seized Cody's arm. "Out. Now!"