Chapter 182

"Is my mom's condition serious?"

The doctor hesitated, clearly hesitant to lie. "Um, Mrs. Heath is a little weak, and

her blood pressure's up. She needs to take it easy and rest."

"Is there anything wrong with her heart?"

"Right now, everything looks okay. Still, a full checkup would be best."

"Then do every test you can. Don't skip anything."

"Of course, Mr. Heath."

Miranda groaned inwardly. She'd just had a complete checkup two months ago and everything was fine. Doing it all over again now felt like pure torture.

After the doctor left, Steven came over, looking genuinely worried. "Mom, it's okay. No matter what's wrong, I'll find the best doctors for you."

Miranda couldn't keep up the act anymore. She opened her eyes and snapped, "Steven, do you even care if I live or die?"

"Mom, I told you, no matter what, I'll get you taken care of—"

"That's not it! It's my heart. I can't accept you marrying that woman. If you insist on bringing her home, I might as well die. Maybe I'll just jump off the building and end it right now."

Steven frowned. "Mom, can you not do this?"

"Can YOU not do this?"

Neither of them budged, and pretty soon they were yelling at each other.

"Mrs. Heath, Mr. Heath, please, stop fighting! Can't you talk this through?" one of the staff pleaded.

“Steven, stop arguing with her,” said Marian, trying to keep the peace. “Why don't you step outside? We'll talk to her."

"Mom, you better think about this," Steven said, clearly frustrated, and walked out.

"Did you see that? What kind of attitude is that? He doesn't care about me at all.” Marian sighed. "Honestly, ma'am, your act didn't really land. He could tell you were faking. If you're going to do this, you need to really sell it."

Miranda was speechless. She couldn't actually make herself sick just to prove a point, could she?

***

Out in the hospital hallway, Lucie and Rose wheeled Mr. Anderson out of rehab.

"For his first day of therapy, he did amazing," Rose said.

"If he sticks with it, he'll recover just fine," Lucie agreed, gently wiping the corner

of her grandfather's mouth. "Grandpa, you have to follow the doctor's instructions and do your exercises on time."

"Mmm... okay," Mr. Anderson mumbled from his wheelchair.

"Let's get Grandpa back to his room."

Just as they turned the corner, Steven came walking toward them.

They both froze for a second, tension thick in the air. After a moment, Lucie tried

to hurry away with the wheelchair.

"Lucie, is your grandfather doing better?" Steven asked.

"He's much better, thank you," Lucie replied, her voice cold.

Steven stepped closer to Mr. Anderson. "Sir, I hope you get well soon."

Mr. Anderson just gave him a look of utter disdain and turned away.

"We're going back to the room," Lucie said, and pushed her grandfather down the hall She wanted nothing to do with Steven. But with New Amberton being such a small place, it was impossible to avoid him forever.

She decided right then to have her grandfather transferred to another hospital the next day.

"Miss, we'll take care of Mr. Anderson. You should go," the nurse said.

"Okay. I'll visit Grandpa tomorrow."

"Of course."

Lucie stayed with her grandfather

for

er half hour. At three

o'clock, she finally got ready

leave She opened the door and

peeked out just to be sure content

Steven was gone. Relief washed over her.

She headed for the elevators, keys in hand. She needed to get back to the antiques center and finish the last step on the bronze cauldron Starting tomorrow, shed be working non stop on the painted sculpture and the delicate gown.

The elevator dinged and the doors slid open.

Lucie stepped in, pressed the button for the parking garage, and called her driver.

"I'm coming down now. Wait for me by the car."

The doors began to close. But at the last second, they jerked open again.

Steven stepped in.

Lucie's heart dropped. "Oh-it's you?" She tensed up, not wanting to be stuck alone with him.

Steven looked down at her, his eyes unreadable. "What, you really don't want to see me?"

Lucie ignored him, reaching for the open button, hoping to get out.

Steven blocked her with his arm and pressed the close button instead.

The elevator started moving down.

Lucie shrank into the corner, her heart racing. "What do you want?"

Lately, Steven had shown a side of himself she never expected-cold, angry, even a little scary. She was honestly afraid.

"Lucie, why are you so scared of me?" Steven asked, his voice low and rough as he stepped closer.

In the tiny elevator, his presence felt suffocating, the danger almost tangible. "Steven, stay away from me..."