Chapter 24

That's why, when Lucie said it was over, she meant it.

She closed the chat app.

A new friend request popped up on her phone.

She tapped it open. The profile picture was an abstract cartoon figure.

She didn't even have to wonder. It was Elio. He must've gotten her contact info from Mira or one of the others.

After she'd come back to the country, Lucie had changed everything. New numbers. New accounts. She'd disappeared so completely, he never stood a chance of finding her.

"What a psycho," she muttered.

She hit reject, blocked him, and then shut her phone off entirely.

"Miss, breakfast is ready."

"Thank you."

Lucie washed up quickly and headed to the dining room.

For the next couple of days, she planned to stay right here, waiting for the results, and giving herself time to breathe and rest.

At the Heath family estate, Mrs. Miranda Heath hadn't seen Lucie in over two weeks.

Usually, Lucie and Steven would bring Cody to the house every weekend. They'd have dinner together as a family.

"Steven, did you and Lucie have a fight?" Mrs. Heath asked casually at the table. "It's been half a month since she's come for dinner."

Steven's jaw tightened as he ate, his face closed off. "She's been busy with work," he said flatly.

Mrs. Heath's lips pressed into a thin line. "That's no excuse. No job should keep her away from her home and family.

"As the daughter-in-law of the Heath family, she's always running around outside. That so-called 'restoration' job-how much does it even pay? She works herself ragged. Can't even look after her own child."

Steven stayed silent, quietly sipping his soup.

His mother had never approved of Lucie's career.

Every time Lucie came over, she'd endure the same lecture-give up the job,

have more children while you're young.

Lucie never argued. She'd just smile quietly and listen.

Cody and Shannon sat at the table too, eating with Mrs. Heath.

"Grandma, Mommy smells bad. She smells like dead people," Cody blurted out. "I

don't like her. Can Aunt Shannon be my new mommy?"

Steven's face went stormy. "Eat your food, Cody. That's enough."

Shannon immediately reached over, putting more vegetables on Cody's plate.

"Cody, be good. After dinner, I will tell you a story, okay?

"And don't say things like that. If your mommy heard, she'd be sad."

Cody huffed, folding his arms. "I don't care if she's sad. She's so annoying. She's always making me study, never lets me play games.

Steven's patience snapped. His tone was sharper than ever. "Don't

that again. You need fo

show your

mother some respect

“

Cody shrank back, lower lip quivering, his eyes shining with frustration.

Shannon gave Steven a gentle look. "Steven, he's still little. He'll understand when he's older.

"It's just that Lucie's so busy with work, she hardly gets to spend time with him.”

Mrs. Heath pounced on Shannon's words, her voice heavy with disapproval. "Exactly. Lucie is too ambitious for her own good."

She sighed. "If I'd known she was like this, I would've thought twice before letting her into the Heath family."

Steven barely touched his food, lost in thought.

Since their wedding, Lucie had never once spent a night away from home. He'd grown used to falling asleep with her in his arms, her scent

lingering in the sheets after met

nights together. That warm, sated exhaustion always carried him into the deepest sleep.

But for the last two nights, she hadn't been there.

He missed her-missed her so much his body ached with it, a restless hunger

gnawing at him, sharper than anything in his heart.