Chapter 28

Lucie's heart twisted, tangled in knots of doubt and longing.

He was right.

She could ignore her own needs, but not her grandfather's feelings. After losing her parents so young, her grandfather had been terrified she'd end up alone. That's why he'd insisted she marry early, start a family, so she'd never be left behind.

"...Fine. We don't have to get divorced. But only on one condition."

Steven immediately leaned closer, his voice taut. "Name it."

Lucie's gaze hardened. "You have to keep your distance from Shannon. And she has to leave Heath International."

Steven's brow creased in frustration. "There you go again. She's just an innocent girl. I really do see her as my sister."

Lucie's voice sliced through his defense, cold as steel. "Maybe you see her that way. But she definitely doesn't see you as a brother. Just because you're not interested doesn't mean she isn't."

"You're reading too much into this. Shannon's a genuinely sweet girl. Besides, she has a congenital heart defect, and depression. If I did that, it would crush her."

A bitter ache crawled up Lucie's chest as she stared at this man she thought she knew. Every word out of his mouth was a shield for Shannon, a confession of how deeply she mattered to him, whether he admitted it or not.

"Enough. There's nothing more to say. We both need to cool off."

She shoved the car door open, ready to escape.

Steven caught her wrist, yanking her back inside. "You're doing it again—why are you always so jealous of her? I've explained this to you a hundred times. Why won't you listen?"

He forced her down onto the back seat, refusing to let her leave.

"Steven, let go. I don't want to fight, and I'm done wasting my breath.

"It's simple. If she stays, I go. If I stay, she goes."

Frustration flared in Steven's eyes, his patience unraveling. "You're being unreasonable. You're pushing me too far."

A cold, mocking smile flickered

across Lucie's lips. "I'm not forcing you. You can pick Shannon if that's

what you want. After we divorce, She love

you're free to marry he

to be your wife. If you care for her so

much, why not just give her a

home?"

"Let me go. I have work to do."

Steven dragged in a ragged breath, pressing her down more firmly, as if he could

hold their life together by force alone.

She was flawless in every way, except for that stubborn streak.

She almost never lost her temper, but once she did, there was no reasoning with

her.

"...Fine," he conceded at last, his voice heavy with defeat. "I'll do what

you want. I'll transfer her to an overseas branch office is that

enough?"

Lucie's chest still felt painfully tight.

Shannon was a master at playing the victim. She'd cling to Steven, refuse to

leave. And the moment she cried, Steven would cave.

"What if she refuses to go?" Lucie pressed. "How long are you planning to send her away for? A month? A year?"

Steven's jaw clenched; he wouldn't answer.

"If you're so worried," he shot back, "why don't you come work at Heath

International? You can watch me all day if that's what you want."

Lucie just scoffed, a sharp sound of disbelief. He knew she'd never do it.

Steven's breath grew heavy. He leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a coaxing desperate kiss "Baby can't you just meet me

Sing please?

It's been so long... Don't you miss me?"

***