Chapter 236

"Don't think like that," Elio said, his voice gentle and rushed, trying to comfort her. "You will be alright, I promise."

"I just talked to the doctor. There won't be any scars. Your nose is broken, but once it heals, you'll be fine."

"No, I can't believe this..." Lucie's hand shook as she reached up, fingers hovering over the bandaged bridge of her nose and her swollen upper lip. It all felt unreal. How could this be real? She'd never obsessed over her looks or thought of herself as especially beautiful, but nobody wanted to see their face changed like this.

"Lucie, don't touch it. Your hands aren't clean. And even if there's a scar, medicine is so advanced now. They can fix anything."

She didn't hear him at all. Her mind was spinning, panic clawing at her chest.

"Just stop talking," she whispered, her voice cracking.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop. Just try not to worry. Right now, the only thing that matters is you getting better." Elio squeezed her hand, his eyes full of guilt and worry. This was all on him. If only he'd been more careful. He'd let Steven hurt her again.

But even if her face never healed, it didn't change how he felt. He'd seen her at her most beautiful, and that was all he'd ever remember.

Lucie felt like her heart was splitting in two. The memory of what happened kept replaying in her head.

Steven...

He was a monster. She'd run all the way to Westbrook to get away from him, but somehow he'd still found her.

"Lucie, I'm so sorry. I should've protected you. I've already hired bodyguards— they're waiting outside. From now on, you don't go anywhere without them."

Lucie just stared at the wall, numb and silent. Her mind was a mess, and she didn't know what to do anymore.

Seeing her like this, so broken, made Elio's own pain even worse. He clenched her hand tighter, hatred for Steven burning in his chest.

“Lucie, I swear, I'll protect you. I'll make Steven pay for everything he's done."

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Mick stepped in, arms full of receipts and hospital paperwork. "How's Lucie doing?"

Elio frowned and nodded toward the bed. "She just fell asleep again."

Mick lowered his voice right away, quietly setting the papers on the table. He walked over to check on Lucie, worry written all over his face. She was such a kind, gentle, hardworking person. It was hard to believe someone like her could end up in such a terrible marriage.

Lucie and Steven had been divorced for over a month now. They hadn't gone public with it yet, but everyone close to them already knew.

"Mr. Pitts, you must be exhausted. You should rest and eat something. I brought you water and some food."

Elio shook his head. "I'm really not hungry, but thanks."

"No problem. At least have some water."

"Thank you." Elio took the bottle and had a few sips. "By the way, how much are the hospital bills? Let me transfer the money to you."

Mick immediately waved him off. "No need, it's nothing. As long as Lucie's okay, money's no big deal."

"I can't let you do that. She's my girlfriend. This is on me. You've already done so much, and I really appreciate it I can't ask you to pay, too Elio pulled out his phone, already opening his banking app.

Mick felt a pang in his chest. Some girls just drew people in, even after a messy

divorce. He hadn't even had time to process everything, and now she had

someone new.

"Mr. Pitts, really, don't worry about it..."

"Come on, just tell me your bank accout number."

"Well, okay, the total was fourteen thousand..."

Before he finished, Elio had already sent him two hundred thousand.

"Thank you for everything today."

Mick stared at the transaction in shock. "Mr. Pitts, this is way too much! The bill was only fourteen thousand!"

Elio just shrugged, unfazed. "The rest is for all your help."

"No, I can't accept this." Mick

tone

was firm as he immediately refunded the money. For someone genue like him, extra cash felt more like an insult than a favor.

They went back and forth a few times before Elio finally gave up and accepted the refund.

It was after nine when Steven finally walked into Bria's hospital room.

She had been waiting, pacing with worry. Seeing him, she finally let out a breath. "Steven, where were you? And what happened-why are you hurt again?"

He just sat down in silence, not offering any explanation.

Bria felt a tightness in her chest and fell quiet too. They'd known each other for years and understood each other without words. When he was silent she never pushed. When he was hurt she comforted hing like a mother. When he was down, she

guided him like a sister. When he was lonely, she became his lover, bringing him warmth.

He depended on her, emotionally and mentally. He couldn't let go.

But what they had wasn't really romance anymore. It had turned into something deeper, something like family.

His phone vibrated.

He hesitated, then pulled it out. More messages from June. He glanced at them and put the phone away without replying.

He'd let her chase him, let her fall deeper and deeper. She would be his weapon against Elio.

After all, when you know someone well enough, you know exactly where to strike.