Chapter 320

Her chest felt so tight it almost hurt.

She reached for the glass of water by her bed, took a sip, and tried to calm the storm of emotions inside her.

She, Bria, Steven-none of them were actually wrong if you looked at things from their own point of view. But when the three of them got tangled up together, their story turned into a total mess. The kind you'd see in a dramatic soap opera.

Her phone buzzed.

A video call from Grandpa.

Lucie took a steadying breath, smoothed her expression, and hit accept.

"Lucie, where are you? When are you coming back to Westbrook?" Grandpa asked, peering at her from behind his reading glasses, worry all over his face. He still didn't know about the disaster at the New Amberton museum. Lucie couldn't bring herself to tell him-she was afraid it'd be too much for him to handle.

“Grandpa, I still have some things to take care of here in New Amberton. I'll need to stay a bit longer," she said.

He squinted at the screen. "Where are you right now? Looks like a hospital.”

"It's nothing, Grandpa. Just a little low blood sugar. The doctor wants me to stay for observation for a couple of days," Lucie replied, forcing a smile, trying to sound casual. “Don't worry, I'll be fine in no time."

"You're sure you're okay? Don't lie to your grandpa.”

"I really am. As soon as I wrap things up here, I'll hurry back to Westbrook. How are you feeling these days?"

Grandpa's face softened. "Much better. I can walk around without my cane now." Lucie's heart eased a little. "That's great news. Please take care of yourself, okay?" "You too, Lucie. Look after yourself."

"I will."

They chatted for another ten minutes before hanging up.

She lay back, staring at the ceiling.

Should I really have this baby?

But I don't want to have anything to do with Steven-not anymore.

She wanted a child, someone who was hers and hers alone. But she didn't want her

kid to be tied to Steven in any way. She could give this baby the best of everything, all on her own.

Her head was spinning. I'll sleep on it. This is too big to rush. I have to really think this through.

Night settled in. Nine o'clock.

Steven drove over to the Rose Garden villa.

Bria had been waiting for him to come home and eat. She'd reheated dinner three or four times already.

“Bria, I'm back,” Steven said, walking in with a heavy look on his face. He tossed his suit jacket onto the sofa without a second thought.

Bria greeted him with a soft smile. "Steven, you're finally home. Why so late? You must be tired."

"Yeah." He sounded exhausted.

"You must be hungry. Go wash up, I'll bring dinner out."

The dining table was covered with all his favorite dishes. Bria hadn't touched a bite, just waited for him.

Steven felt a pang of guilt. "I told you not to wait for me. You could've eaten first."

"How could I? I have to wait for you," Bria said quietly.

his et

Steven felt his chest clench. He looked at her, guilt gnawing at him. Sometimes; he really did feel like he was treating her unfairly. He'd promised himself he'd spend his life with her, but... he just couldn't stop himself. He couldn't let go of Lucie, and he couldn't let go of Bria, either.

"Did they get Cody's final diagnosis?"

Steven's hand froze around his fork. His eyes darkened, his voice heavy. "Yeah. It's confirmed. A rare type of leukemia."

Bria's mind went blank. Her fork slipped from her hand and hit the table with a clatter.

"Is there... is there a cure? What did the doctors say?" Her voice shook, her eyes instantly red and brimming with tears.

Steven put down his fork, handed

her a napkin, his face full of pain "The doctor said regular chemo doesn't work well. The only real hope is a bone marrow transplant or maybe cord blood."

"Then let's get tested! My bone marrow, yours—one of us has to match, right?” Bria

grabbed his hand, desperate.

"I'll go get tested right now—"

"It's already done."

Steven's voice dropped even lower, tired and defeated. "I'm not a match."

"Then what about me?"

"It's no good. You're too weak, and you've had too many steroids. The doctor said even if you matched, you still couldn't donate."

Bria's hand turned ice cold. She slumped into her chair like all her strength had

drained away. "How could this happen... Cody's only three..."

Steven watched her break down, throat tight. Finally, he forced out the line he'd practised in his head. "There's someone else who might be able to help.”

"Who?” Bria's head snapped up, a trace of hope in her eyes.

"Lucie."

“Lucie?” Bria stared at him, then her voice spiked like she'd been stung. “Why her? She hates us. Why would she ever help Cody?"

Steven interrupted her, his tone heavy and bleak. “She's pregnant. The doctor said cord blood from her baby has the highest chance of being a match."