Chapter 36

Lucie's heart swelled with gratitude and surprise. “Grandpa, I thought you'd try to stop me. I know you want me to settle down, but I—"

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his voice warm and steady. "You don't need to say another word, Lucie. I know you must have suffered. The Heaths only treat you like this because they think the Anderson family is weak.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. I'll handle everything. Even if you end up divorced, you'll always be my pride. You'll always have a home with me."

Fresh tears welled up and spilled down Lucie's cheeks. “Thank you, Grandpa.” No matter what happened, her grandfather was her anchor, her strongest shield.

He smiled kindly. "Good girl. Take a shower and get some sleep. Whatever it is, it can wait until morning."

"Okay."

Lucie wiped her tears and slipped away to her bedroom. As long as Grandpa was on her side, she could face anything.

She'd just closed her bedroom door when her phone started to ring.

Unknown number.

She hesitated, then picked up. "Hello?"

Silence.

"Who is this?"

Still nothing. After a few tense seconds, the caller abruptly hung up.

Lucie didn't have the energy to wonder who it was. She powered off her phone, showered away the day's bitterness, and crawled into bed.

***

It was already past midnight when Steven returned home.

The house was eerily quiet. When he stepped into the master bedroom, his chest tightened. Every trace of Lucie was gone.

He yanked open the walk-in closet. Empty. Even her socks and toothbrush were missing.

On the vanity, the jewelry from their wedding and every gift he'd ever given her sat

in perfect order. She hadn't taken a single piece.

The only thing she'd left behind was their wedding photo on the wall.

A hollow ache settled in his heart.

He didn't want this divorce.

But he couldn't bring himself to cut Shannon loose, either. She was so delicate, so dependent on him.

***

The next morning, Lucie's attorney sent another legal notice.

Steven didn't bother reading it. He tossed it straight into the trash.

Then he grabbed his keys and drove to the antique gallery where Lucie worked.

"I need to see Lucie," he said at the front desk.

The receptionist recognized him instantly. "Mr. Heath, please wait one moment. I'll let her know you're here."

"Don't bother," Steven interrupted,

his tone cold as ice. He strode past

her heading straight før Lucie get

office.

The staff exchanged nervous looks but didn't dare stop him. They hurried ahead to warn her.

Inside, Lucie was focused on restoring a damaged Norman-era painting, her hands steady and precise.

Suddenly, the office door flew open Her assistant rushed in, breathless.

"Ms Anderson, Mr. breath is

Were. He

wants to see you!"

Lucie didn't look up. Her voice was cool and unyielding. "Tell him I'm not here."

"But..."

Before the assistant could finish, Steven stalked into the room, his face thunderous.

"Everyone out," he barked.

The door slammed shut behind him. He turned the lock.

Lucie's heart hammered in her chest.

frostne glared at him, here

frosty. "What do you want? Get

don't want to see you." Content:

out. I

He ignored her words, advancing toward her with the intensity of a predator on

the hunt.

"Don't come any closer."