Chapter 238

June glared, her face flushed with anger. "Who hurt her? Don't go blaming me for something I didn't do, okay?"

"I just... I just "

“Save it. Get out of here. If I see you again, I'll knock you flat." Elio yanked her by the collar and dragged her right out of the room.

"Elio, let me go! This is between me and Lucie, not you! Mind your own damn business, you jerk!" June stumbled as he shoved her out, landing hard on the floor.

Elio didn't even look back at her. He turned to the bodyguards standing by the door, his face cold. "From now on, she's not allowed anywhere near this room. She doesn't get within ten feet of Lucie. Got it?"

"Yes, Mr. Pitts."

Then he went back inside, leaving June outside, shouting and swearing at the top of her lungs.

"Elio, you piece of shit! You limp-dick loser! Useless! You hear me?"

The bodyguards exchanged looks, totally stunned.

Mr. Pitts... really that bad? He doesn't look it...

Inside, Elio could still hear June's rant echoing down the hall. He clenched his fists, fuming. "She's insane."

Lucie groaned, rubbing her temples. "What is June yelling about now?"

"She's just being crazy again. Ignore her. Come on, you need to rest." Elio gently helped her back to bed, wanting to shield her from June's nasty insults.

Honestly, June was just spouting nonsense. If Elio was really so hopeless, she wouldn't still be hung up on him after all these years.

Lucie let out a long, tired sigh and tried to tune out the chaos.

"Listen, Lucie," Elio said, "June's got issues. She's not like everyone else. Just steer clear of her from now on, okay? Don't get involved with her again."

Lucie just stared at him, exasperated.

Wasn't it him who brought June into her life in the first place? She'd always been someone who kept her distance, never opening up unless she really trusted someone. The only reason she'd let dupe in so fast was because of Elio. She figured since they'd grown up together? June couldn't be that bad.

Turns out, she was a total mess.

"Ugh, I'm stuck in the hospital again, and I'm so worried about my grandpa," Lucie

said, her voice heavy with concern.

She'd come all the way to

Westbrook to get him treatment and

to keep him safe from Steven. She

barely had a few days of peace

before Steven and Bria showed up turning everything upside down" again.

Elio tried to reassure her. "Hey, don't worry. Steven isn't going to stick around Westbrook for long."

Lucie nodded. That made sense. Most of Steven's business was back in New Amberton. He'd have to head back soon enough.

A week slipped by, and finally Lucie was allowed to leave the hospital. The bandages came off her head, and with the swelling gone, she hardly looked any different.

Elio studied her face from every angle, finally letting out a relieved breath. "See? Still gorgeous. There's just a little scar on your lip, but it'll heal."

He'd been by her side every single day, which meant he'd been in Westbrook almost a month now. He hadn't even dared to turn on his phone he knew the second he did, he'd be bombarded with a millior missed calls from home. But he couldn't avoid it any longer. His grandmother's birthday was coming up, and he had to get back.

"Hey, Lucie... I think I have to go back to Elmridge tomorrow."

To his surprise, Lucie actually looked relieved. "I told you ages ago you should go.

I'm fine now, really. Stop worrying and just go."

"I just wish I could've taken you to see the statue in New Amberton."

"It's okay, really. I've already got another gift planned, so it's no big deal."

"Alright then. Safe travels."

“Uh... is it okay if I... get a goodbye kiss?"

Lucie's face froze. She stared at him like he was nuts.

He gave her a sheepish smile. “Kidding, kidding. No need to look so serious."

"Elio, that's really not funny. And I've told you before-friends, that's it. Nothing more."