Chapter 173

Elio shot Steven a sideways glance, then picked up another bite of food like he couldn't care less. "Why are you leaving now? They haven't even brought out all the dishes yet."

Lucie felt completely out of place, her appetite gone. "Let's just go. I'll take you somewhere else to eat."

Elio raised an eyebrow. "What's the big deal? Are you scared of him or something? You didn't do anything wrong, did you? Why bother hiding?"

Lucie's heart thudded uncomfortably. He had a point. She hadn't done anything wrong—so why was she the one running away? New Amberton was tiny, and the same faces showed up everywhere. Bumping into people like this was bound to happen. Honestly, it probably wouldn't be the last time.

Bria glanced at Lucie, then smiled at Steven. "Steven, come sit down."

Steven looked furious, barely holding it together as he forced himself into his seat.

"Can we get the menu?" he said, his voice tight. "Bria, what would you like?"

Bria flipped through the menu without much interest.

"Daddy, can we ask Mommy and Mr. Pitts to come eat with us?" Cody piped up, tugging on Steven's sleeve.

"Quiet," Steven snapped.

"Oh... okay..."

Across from them, Lucie felt like she was sitting on a bed of nails. Even though she avoided looking at Steven, she could feel his icy stare like a knife at her back. The memory of their last night together-right before the divorce-flashed through her mind. His anger, the way he'd lost control... Even now, it made her skin crawl.

Elio noticed her shivering. "Lucie, you alright? Are you cold?"

"Yeah, the AC's a bit much," she said softly.

Elio waved over a waiter. "Could you bring us a shawl?"

"Of course, sir."

A minute later, the waiter returned. Elio took the shawl, opened it, and draped it gently over Lucie's shoulders, putting on his best gentleman act. “Don't want you catching a cold."

Lucie tensed up. “Eat faster, okay? Let's just finish and get out of here."

Elio just grinned, taking his sweet time. "You're treating me today. I should make the most of it. Here, eat a bit more too."

Lucie's mind was a mess. All she wanted was to escape.

Steven watched them, his eyes narrowing, rage building with every second.

"Steven, should we get the soup?" Bria asked, trying to break the tension.

He didn't even hear her, still glaring at the table next to them.

"Steven? Steven?" she called again.

He finally snapped out of it. "Yeah, sure, order whatever you want."

Bria closed the menu, her smile fading. It was obvious; he hadn't gotten over Lucie. She could see it written all over his face.

"I'm not hungry anymore. I want to go home," Bria said quietly.

"What's wrong?" Steven asked.

She looked at him, her expression cold. "You're not really here with me. Let's just leave."

Steven quickly tried to recover.

"Come on, Bria, we rarely get to go out together. Don't be upset. I'll order now, okay?" He grabbed the menu and forced himself to focus trying to seem calm.

At the next table, Lucie couldn't take it anymore. "Elio, are you done?" "What's the rush?"

"I'm worried about my grandpa. I need to get back to the hospital."

Elio chewed his food slowly, a small smile on his lips. She was nervous about Steven, but he wasn't. After all, their last fight hadn't settled anything.

"Come on, let's go!" Lucie urged.

"You this scared to see your ex? There's still one more dish coming."

"Then you finish it. I'm going to the restroom." Lucie got up and walked away, planning to pay the bill so they could leave as soon as Elio finished.

In the bathroom, Lucie splashed cold water on her face, trying to steady her nerves. Just treat him like any other stranger she told herself There's no reason to care this much.

Before she could turn off the tap, the door slammed open.

She jumped, heart pounding, and spun around to see Steven storming in, his face dark.

"Steven, what are you doing?" she demanded.

His eyes were cold as steel. "Couldn't wait to find a new man, could you?"

Lucie's chest tightened with anger. "Are you out of your mind?"

Steven stepped closer, voice icy. "I never thought you'd be so desperate."

She glared right back at him. “We're divorced, Steven. You moved on before I did. What right do you have to judge me?"

She tried to step past him, but he grabbed her arm and shoved her against the sink.

"I gave you all that money, Lucie. It wasn't so you could spend it on another man."