Chapter 208

"Okay."

Steven didn't say anything more. He just leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"I'm heading out now."

"Drive safe."

"Don't worry. I'll call you when I get home."

"Bye."

***

About half an hour later, Steven pulled up to the Heath family's old house. Miranda, Marian, and Shannon were already at the dinner table waiting for him. "Steven, you're finally home," Miranda said, her scowl dark as thunder. "If I hadn't called, were you planning to just stay out all night?"

She'd broken her leg and spent a week in the hospital. Now she was back home, stuck in recovery and clearly not in a good mood.

Marian, ever the peacemaker, tried to calm her down. "Ma'am, he just got back. Let's not scold him."

Shannon chimed in too, trying to lighten things up. "Yeah. Steven's just been really busy lately. Let's just enjoy dinner together for once and talk about something nice."

Miranda bit her tongue, but she was furious. Her son had divorced his beautiful, smart, and elegant wife, then decided to marry an older woman with a limp and a questionable background. Miranda just couldn't accept it.

"Mum, I'm heading to Westbrook for business the day after tomorrow," Steven announced, changing the subject. "I'll be gone about a week. Can you please keep an eye on Cody while I'm away?"

Miranda's eyes narrowed. "Another big meeting?"

"Yeah."

"Are you going by yourself, or is she going with you?"

"I've got it handled, Mum. Don't worry about it," Steven said, trying to keep his patience.

Miranda pressed on, her voice sharp. "Is she going with you?"

Steven's jaw tightened. "Mum, just focus on getting better. Let me handle my own stuff."

"That's not good enough. I'm worried you won't take care of yourself. Shannon should go with you," Miranda decided, her tone leaving no room for argument. At this point, she'd rather have Steven with Shannon than with Bria.

"That's not necessary," Steven replied, already feeling a headache coming on.

Shannon looked up at him, eyes a little sad and hopeful. "Steven, I've never been to Westbrook. It'd be such a good experience for me. Plus, isn't the new hotel opening soon? Téould go and share some of our management ideas from New Amberton."

Steven frowned, his patience wearing thin. "The way things run over there is totally different from New Amberton. They have their own team, their own ideas. You wouldn't really be much help."

Shannon wouldn't give up. "Then I can learn something new! At least I'd get to see a different way of working. And Westbrook has so many cool places to visit. I'd love to see it."

Miranda quickly agreed. "See? Just let Shannon go. She's practically family. The more she learns now, the more she can help you in the future."

Steven pinched the bridge of his nose. "Seriously, it's not needed."

Miranda let out a long, frustrated sigh. "You never listen to anything I say anymore. I'm your mother, but I have no say in this house at all."

Shannon hurried to smooth things over. "Don't be upset. If Steven doesn't want me to go, I'll stay here with you in New Amberton and help take care of you."

Miranda shook her head, tears

starting to well up. "It's pointless. No one listens to me. My own son ignores me. I might as well just disappear!” She started sobbing. "Oh your father left so early. Now Lorall I'm all alone, no one cares about me, my son thinks I'm a burden. Maybe I should just go join your father."

Steven felt totally drained. "Fine, fine! Stop crying/. You want to go? Okay. I leave

the day after tomorrow. Start packing."

Shannon's face lit up. "Thanks, Steven! I promise I won't get in your way."

"I'm done eating. You take your time," Steven said, pushing back his chair and leaving the table.

"Steven, you barely touched your food! Where are you going?" Miranda called after him.

He didn't answer, just walked out the

ovel

door, got in his car, and started driving with no real destination. Home at Rose Manor was too suffocating. The family house was just as bad. And Moonlight Bay every time he walked into that empty place memone's of living with Lucie hit him like a wave. The rest of his places were rented out or felt even lonelier.

With nowhere else to go, he headed to his entertainment complex. He always kept a presidential suite there for nights like this.

Twenty minutes later, he arrived at the hotel. Staff along the way greeted him with polite nods. "Good evening, Mr. Heath."

Steven barely noticed, just made his way straight to the elevator. As soon as the

doors opened on his floor, he pulled out his phone without thinking.

He opened his messages-and saw that Lucie had unblocked him.

She'd even sent him a cute emoji.

A warm rush swept through him. He couldn't help the little spark of excitement that bubbled up inside.