Chapter 42

"Oh, really? What exactly has my son done to deserve such a humiliating

punishment?" Miranda snapped, arms crossed tight over her chest, her words sharp as knives.

Mr. Anderson's face was thunderous, but he refused to dignify her with a

response.

Steven's brow knotted in agitation. "Mom, I'm here because I choose to be. Just let it go."

Her anger only flared hotter. "Steven, get up this instant! What would people think if they saw you like this?"

Marian chimed in, her tone anxious. "She's right, Sir. The Heath family has a reputation to uphold. If word gets out, it'll be a disgrace for all of us."

Steven clenched his jaw, frustration boiling over. “Enough! Can't you both just be quiet for one minute? Stop making this worse."

Miranda and Marian fell silent, stunned by the sudden force behind his words. Steven was easy-going most days, but when his temper snapped, everyone knew to keep their distance.

Ten more agonizing minutes crawled by.

*Ding-*

The light above the operating room finally blinked off.

The doors swung open, two nurses and two doctors stepping out, their faces grim and unreadable.

Steven lurched to his feet so quickly his numb knees nearly gave way beneath him. He braced himself, heart pounding. "Doctor, how's my wife?"

Mr. Anderson stood too, his hands trembling. "Is Lucie... is she all right?"

The doctor pulled down his mask, voice grave. "The surgery was largely

successful. Mrs. Heath is stable."

Relief crashed through Steven, flooding him with hope. "Thank you, doctor. Thank god she pulled through."

The doctor's eyes softened, but his words were heavy. "However, her uterus suffered significant damage. She'll need a long period of recovery. For the next three years, she absolutely must not become pregnant."

Steven's chest tightened painfully. He swallowed, voice thick. "Understood. She's alive, and that's enough."

Mr. Anderson finally let out a shaky breath, the tension draining from his shoulders. His granddaughter was safe. That was all that mattered now. Another child could wait-they already had a great-grandson.

"Can we see her?" he asked quietly.

"She needs to be monitored in the ICU for a couple of days," the doctor replied.

Miranda still bristled with indignation. "Honestly, how could Lucie be so careless? Didn't she even realize she was pregnant?"

Mr. Anderson shot her a cold, withering glare, his silence more cutting than any words.

He'd spent a lifetime appraising antiques, never once fooled by a counterfeit except when it came to Miranda Heath. He remembered her and her son's eamest promises when they'd begged for Lucie's hand in marriage, all sweetness and sincerity. He'd believed she would be a kind, understanding mother-in-law.

Now, seeing her true colors, he only felt regret.

But he held his tongue. There was nothing left to say.

He'd had Lucie's fortune told years ago. She was destined for hardship, her marriage marked by unavoidable trials. That fate had come to pass. Once Lucie recovered, he'd make sure she left Steven behind for good.

"I

just wanted you two to try for

another baby this year," Miranda

sighed oblivious. "Now look-three years without ever chance. And to lose a baby you finally conceived naturally... What a waste."

Marian nodded quickly. “Exactly. How could she not even know she's pregnant?”

Steven's composure finally shattered. He turned, voice ice-cold. "Mom, Marian. That's enough. Stop making things worse. We should be grateful Lucie survived.

"I'm staying with her. You should go home."

Shannon spoke gently, trying to soothe. "Steven, she just worries about you and Lucie."

"Go home. All of you," Steven bit out, his patience gone. "Don't bother me again tonight."

Miranda huffed, gathering her purse. "Fine. We'll go. Let us know if anything changes."