Chapter 35

Miranda stared at Lucie, stunned, as if she hadn't heard her correctly.

The Heath family was New Amberton's most powerful dynasty.

Her son was the only son, young, brilliant, impossibly handsome. Socialites tripped over themselves for a chance to marry into their family. And yet, Lucie just asked for a divorce?

Steven exhaled sharply, impatience flickering in his eyes. "Here we go again. Seriously, Lucie? You want a divorce over something this trivial?”

Lucie's voice was steady. "It's my fault today. I jumped to conclusions. I shouldn't have hit you. I've already apologized to you in front of the police, and I promised it will never happen again."

She lowered her gaze and signed her name on the divorce agreement. "We have a prenup. There's nothing to fight over.

"The only thing left is Cody's custody. I know you won't give him up. So just let the court decide. If they rule in your favor, I won't contest it.

"My personal things are already out of the house. Don't worry. I didn't take a single thing that belongs to the Heath family."

Lucie slipped the twenty-carat wedding ring from her finger and set it atop the divorce papers.

Then she turned to leave.

Steven instinctively took a step after her. "Lucie—”

Miranda's face hardened. She stepped in front of her son, blocking his path. "Steven, let her go. Does she really think she can just come and go from the Heath family as she pleases?"

Marian's voice rang out, sharp with contempt. "Exactly. Let her leave, Mr. Heath. If she's got the guts to walk out, she better never come back. You start indulging women like her, and they'll walk all over you."

Steven's brow furrowed, frustration burning inside him.

He wanted to chase after Lucie, to explain.

But Miranda and Marian held him back. In the end, he stayed where he was.

Lucie's chest tightened, but she didn't look back-not once. She walked out of the hospital and didn't stop.

Yesterday, she'd still hesitated over whether to get a divorce.

But tonight, her decision was final.

There was nothing left worth saving in their four-year marriage.

...

It was 10:30 p.m. when Lucie pulled into the long drive of the Anderson estate.

Mr. Anderson had already gone to bed, but the sound of tires on gravel

h his granddaughter was

home.

He threw on his robe and hurried out of his room.

There she was.

"Lucie, why are you home so late?"

"Grandpa..." The last of Lucie's composure crumbled. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

She could be unbreakable for everyone else, but in front of her grandfather, she was still a child.

Mr. Anderson's heart twisted at the sight. "Lucie, what happened?"

She choked on a sob. “Grandpa, I... I'm afraid I've let you down."

Heo her side, voice gentle

but

"What is it, sweetheart? Tell

me It's okay Even if the sky falls, I will hold it up for you."

Lucie knew she couldn't keep the truth from him any longer. “Grandpa, I'm divorcing Steven."

Mr. Anderson looked at her, pain and pride mingling in his eyes.

His granddaughter had always been

principled Sensible. She'd never

she'd been truly hurt. Conter

make a decision like this unless

He was silent for a long moment. Then he gathered her into his arms.

"If this is what you want, Lucie, then I will stand by you-always."