Chapter 309

Steven stood outside the car window, his face etched with exhaustion and worry. “Lucie, I'm not here to bother you. I was just worried, so I came to see how you're doing."

His concern only made her snap. "I don't need you to worry about me. Please, I'm begging you, just stay away."

He pressed his hand against the glass, his voice flat and cold. "Cody's really sick. The doctors think it might be leukemia."

The world dropped out from under her. Lucie's anger vanished, replaced by shock. "What did you say? Leukemia?"

Steven's shoulders sagged. "That's what the doctors think so far. They did a bone marrow test, but we don't have the results yet. The doctors aren't hopeful."

"Lucie, I know you hate me. But Cody... he's your son. Right now, he needs you."

"Needs me?" Lucie felt a wave of cold rush through her, her blood freezing in her veins.

Leukemia. The word hit her like a poisoned knife straight to the heart. Even if he wasn't hers, she wouldn't wish that on any child.

"No. No way. Cody's always been healthy. How could this happen?”

"It came out of nowhere," Steven said quietly, his regret written all over his face. “If it really is leukemia, he'll need a bone marrow transplant."

Lucie's heart squeezed tight. She shot him a wary, bitter look.

"So what, you want me to donate my bone marrow? Seriously? That's what you came here for?"

Steven held her gaze. "You're his biological mother. There's a good chance you'd be a match."

"If mine matches, of course I'll do it," he added quickly.

Bone marrow wasn't like blood. Even with different blood types, a transplant could still work. As Cody's birth mother, her chances of matching were high.

Lucie's chest felt icy and tight.

"Steven, you should be looking for

his real mother right now, not m Cody is your son with Bua: I

owe you anything." Conte

She rolled up the window, not wanting to deal with him anymore. She already had her hands full with the antiques mess she didnthave the energy to play the here

Steven started pounding on the glass, more desperate now. "Lucie, wait! I know you

need help, too. I can help you, I swear—”

"Driver. Go," Lucie said, her voice sharp.

"Yes, ma'am."

Her bodyguards closed in around Steven. "Mr. Heath, please step back from Ms. Anderson's car."

"Lucie! Lucie-"

The car pulled away, swinging smoothly past his vehicle and heading down the road.

Inside, Lucie felt like a burning stone was crushing her chest, making it hard to breathe.

As they left, she glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Steven standing there, frozen, one hand pressed to his forehead. He looked completely defeated.

But she couldn't bring herself to pity him. Not kicking him when he was down was the last kindness she had left.

"Ms. Anderson, are you alright?" Ruby's worried voice cut in, and she handed Lucie a bottle of warm water.

Lucie took it, but her hands shook. She tried to open it, but her fingers just wouldn't work.

"It's fine. I can't think about anything else right now. I just need to get the antiques back..."

The next morning, Lucie was up at dawn, heading straight for the interrogation room.