Chapter 327

Lucie's heart shot straight into her throat. She tried to sit up, but the heavy ache in her belly made her pause.

Elio's voice, full of panic, slammed against the door, so loud it sent a shiver right through her.

"Lucie! Lucie!"

Bria was lounging in her chair, twirling her fingers and watching the chaos unfold with a sly smile. “Looks like your old flame showed up. Things are getting interesting."

"Just shut up!" Lucie snapped, her voice icy with anger.

The door rattled with heavy blows. Bang. Bang. Bang.

"Did Steven lock Lucie in there? I know he's inside! Tell him to come out!" Elio's voice was getting closer, and Lucie could tell he was arguing with the guards.

Her thoughts were a mess, but what scared her most was Elio's condition.

His injuries were bad. His leg was broken.

Why wasn't he in his own hospital bed? Why would he risk coming here?

Lucie's heart twisted painfully as she forced herself out of bed.

The door finally burst open.

Elio looked wild, desperate. He was still in hospital pajamas with a coat thrown over them. His left leg was in a splint and a heavy cast.

"Elio-"

He turned the second he heard her voice and limped over as fast as he could. "Lucie, I finally found you."

His voice cracked, and before she could react, he pulled her into a hug.

"Lucie, did my mom say something awful? I couldn't find you. I swear, I was losing my mind..."

Lucie's emotions were all over the place. Tears spilled down her cheeks before she could stop them. "...Elio, why are you here?"

"You're the one who's hurt. You should be resting!"

Elio's eyes were red and wild as he looked at her. "Lucie, did he threaten you? Tell me the truth. I'll get you out of here right now."

"I'm fine. Worry about yourself, will you?" Lucie's voice went high and desperate, but her tears kept coming.

“Elio, please, you have to go. Don't worry about me!"

This was New Amberton.

This was Steven's turf.

She was terrified Steven would hurt him.

She couldn't shake the thought that Steven might have been behind Elio's accident, too.

Bria watched them, letting out a light, mocking laugh. "You say you don't care, but you clearly do. Ms. Anderson, how long do you think you can balance on two boats before one tips over?"

"We're just friends!" Lucie shot back, but the pain in her stomach was getting sharper. She clutched her belly, her face growing paler by the second.

“Elio, please, just go back to Elmridge. And why did you send the Madonna statue I gave you back to me?"

Elio froze, staring at her in shock.

Lucie looked back, her face full of hurt and worry.

It all made sense now.

She hadn't sent those breakup texts.

He should have realized. Instead, he'd spent the last two days so heartbroken he could barely eat.

Thank God he'd come here to see her for himself.

"I gave it to you for a reason," she said softly. "I wanted it to bring you luck, to help you get better."

Elio took a shaky breath, relief washing over his face. “Lucie, I was just worried about you. Now that I know you're okay, I can breathe again."

He hugged her again, his anxiety finally fading.

Lucie's heart squeezed tight. She tried to push him away. "Let go, please. Go back. It's not safe for you here."

“No. I'm not leaving. I want to stay with you."

"Are you crazy?" Lucie tried to shove him again, her voice trembling from the paintin her belly This is Steven's place. He'll do anything do anything to get what

he wants, and with your leg-staying here is basically asking for trouble!"

But Elio only held her tighter, his chin pressed gently to the top of her head His voice was rough and low "gon't care. I'm not leaving you

alone with him again. Just thinking about what he did to you makes me="

He never got to finish.

Suddenly, footsteps thundered down the hallway, polished shoes striking the floor,

heavy and fast.

A second later, Steven appeared in the doorway.

His eyes were cold and sharp, locked on Lucie and Elio in each other's arms.

He'd barely made it to the stairwell when a guard called to tell him Elio had forced

his way in. Seeing it with his own eyes, Steven felt his anger boil over.

“Elio Pitts.” He said the name slowly, each word clipped and full of threat, his clenched fists bone-white.

"You really have the nerve to show up and bother Lucie again."

Elio quickly let go of Lucie and stepped in front of her, using his body to shield her even though his injured leg was shaking. He kept his back straight. "Steven, this was your doing, wasn't it?"

Steven sneered, moving closer, his presence cold as ice. “My doing? What are you talking about?"

"Those breakup texts. You sent them, didn't you?"

Steven didn't even bother denying it, something dark flickering in his eyes.

Elio let out a bitter laugh. “You really are unbelievable. There's nothing you won't stoop to."

Steven's tone was flat. “Right back at you."

Heath Entertainment—the casino under Heath International-was still shut down for

"regulatory review," bleeding money every day.

Steven knew Elio was the one pulling strings behind the scenes.

Arranging a car accident was just payback.

Elio scoffed. "I'm nothing like you. What I have with Lucie is real. I'm honest about

how I feel. I don't need dirty tricks."

Steven looked at him with pure contempt. "So what?"