Chapter 342

The doctor at the children's hospital said exactly what the one at New Amberton had told her. Lucie stared down at Cody, cradled in her arms, her heart aching so badly it almost hurt to breathe. Cody was out cold from exhaustion, his little brow still furrowed as if he was worrying in his sleep.

So, Steven hadn't lied. Everything he said was true. Her doubts, her suspicion — she'd nearly wasted precious time, almost risking their son's treatment over it. The guilt was so heavy she could barely stand, and her eyes burned with tears she refused to let fall.

But Lucie had no idea what happened after she left. The doctor she'd just spoken with slipped to the far end of the corridor, pulled out his phone, and spoke quietly, "Mr. Heath, everything's been handled just like you wanted."

On the other end, Steven's eyes glinted with something dark. "Good. The money will be in your account soon. And remember: keep your mouth shut."

"Of course, Mr. Heath. There won't be any problems."

Steven hung up, lit a cigarette, and blew out a slow, perfect ring of smoke. A cold smile tugged at his lips. “Lucie,” he muttered, "don't you get it? Money makes anything possible."

A while later, Lucie wandered out of the hospital, Cody limp against her shoulder. She felt empty, like her soul had been scraped out.

Steven was waiting by his car. The moment he saw her, he rushed over and gently took Cody from her arms. "Did you get the results? How is he?" His voice was anxious, but she could tell he was forcing it. "Anything unexpected? Let me see the paperwork."

"Don't bother," Lucie said, not looking at him.

Steven put on his best disappointed face. "So it's the same as before, right?"

Lucie's chest felt tight. She didn't want to say another word.

Steven held the sleeping Cody and studied Lucie's pale face, a mocking smirk touching his mouth. "Why are you so quiet now? The results are in. Don't you owe me an explanation?"

"I'm not in the mood, Steven," she said quietly, barely able to keep herself together.

He adjusted Cody in his arms and tried to reach for her, like he wanted to pull her in. "This morning you were so sure I was lying. You even said if Cody didn't have leukemia, you'd end the pregnancy. Well? Still think I made it up?"

Lucie balled her hands into fists, nails biting into her palms until they tingled, but she couldn't get the words out. Steven's relentless attitude just made her angrier.

"How many times did I tell you Cody was really sick? But you had to be paranoid, drag him all over for this."

He glanced down at Cody, raising his voice enough for Lucie to feel the sting. "Look what you did. You ran him ragged all day. What if you'd delayed his treatment? Could you live with that?"

“I—" Lucie tried to speak, but her throat was too tight. Only a dry, broken sound came out.

"You what?" Steven interrupted, his tone icy. "Finally realize you were wrong? Where was that before? No matter how awful I am, I'd never risk my own son's life."

He suddenly grabbed her chin,

forcing her to meet his eyes. The scorn there made her want to shrink away. "Weren't you so tough before? Ready to run off with the kid, ready to fight me But now that the results are in, you've got nothing to say?"

Lucie stared at him, silent, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. Who could

blame her for doubting him? He'd lied so many times before.

"So, how are you going to make this up to me?" Steven asked, a sly, wicked grin on

his face as he slipped an arm around her shoulders.

Lucie's heart clenched. She shoved him away, voice sharp. "What is wrong with you?"

Steven's face darkened. "You're

really something, Lucie. I helped you out so much, and you can't even say thank you. Now you're accus

me

of things didn't do Don't you think!

de

have feelings too?"

"I did thank you."

“Oh, right. One ‘thank you' and I'm supposed to be happy? I go out of my way for you and you just brush me off."

She glared at him. "So what do you want from me now?"

Steven snorted. "I want you to spend the night with me. Would you do that? Of course not."

Lucie was so mad she thought she might explode. When had he become so shameless? He was nothing like the man she used to know.

“But relax, I'm not going to ask for anything that crazy. I just have one small request. Can you do that for me?"

She crossed her arms and looked at him, cold as ice. "What is it?"

Steven leaned in, eyes locked on her belly. "I just want to be close to the

baby for a milite Lwant to listen,

see I can feel any movement. That's not too much, is it?"

"Steven, don't forget about the agreement we signed."

"I know. I'm not breaking any rules. I just want to feel the baby, that's all. Once the

baby's born, I'll stay out of both your lives."

Lucie hesitated, but in the end, she didn't say no.

Seeing her give in, Steven bent down, pressing his ear gently against her belly, his

face full of real joy and hope, for once.

"Hey, little one,” he whispered, “be good in there, okay? Don't make things too hard for your mom. She's doing her best for you."