Chapter 43

Steven turned to Mr. Anderson. “Grandpa, I'll stay here with Lucie. You should go home and get some rest."

"No. I can't leave her. I want to stay right here with Lucie."

"...Alright. I'll have the nurse arrange a VIP room for you nearby so you can rest.

If anything changes with Lucie, I'll let you know immediately."

The old man didn't argue, just nodded grimly, his face shadowed with worry.

***

The next day, Lucie drifted in and out of darkness for what felt like forever before her eyes finally fluttered open. Blinding, sterile fluorescent lights stabbed at her vision. Cold machines surrounded her, wires and tubes running from her body like she was caught in a web.

"...Where am I?"

A nurse noticed her stirring and rushed to her side. "You're awake!"

She quickly swapped out Lucie's IV bags with practiced efficiency.

Another nurse darted out of the room. "Mrs. Heath is awake! I'm going to get the doctor and Mr. Heath!"

Lucie's voice was barely more than a whisper. "What... what happened to me?"

Her whole body felt hollowed out, every muscle aching, her spirit drained to nothing.

"Mrs. Heath, you suffered a miscarriage and lost a lot of blood. The doctors performed surgery to save you. Please, don't worry about anything else right now just focus on resting."

The words crashed over Lucie like a thunderclap. "...What did you say? A miscarriage?"

"Yes. You lost the baby. You need to take care of yourself and rest."

A cold wave swept through her, leaving her numb and shaking. Lucie stared in disbelief, her hand trembling as she pressed it to her abdomen.

How could she have been pregnant?

Steven had told her he was infertile, that they could never conceive naturally.

After their wedding, the only hope for a child had been IVF.

She remembered the endless hormone injections, the pain, the tears. Her body rejected the embryo, forcing her into months of bed rest. From her second month of pregnancy, she'd needed nine hormone shots a day, every single day, just to keep the baby. For six months, she'd hardly dared to move, terrified of losing hope.

And now, it was all gone.

But Steven's body had never been the problem.

Why had he lied to her?

The door clicked open.

A doctor entered, followed closely by a nurse and Steven.

"Doctor, Mr. Heath, she's awake."

The doctor came to her bedside and checked her vitals, his expression grave.

Steven let out a shaky breath, relief and guilt written all over his face. "Lucie, you're finally awake."

Lucie's glare was ice-cold, sharp enough to cut. "Steven, I want the truth. Why did you lie to me?"

She didn't have the strength to shout. Her voice was a hoarse whisper, raw and jagged as torn cloth.

Steven froze, a flash of panic flickering in his eyes.

Lucie pushed the doctor's hands away.fighting

bet

away fighting to sit up "There was wrong with your why

nevery

did you make me go through IVF?"

"And you're Type O. Why did you tell me you were Type A? Is Cody even my son? What else are you hiding from me?"

Steven's eyes darted away, his handsome face shadowed by a tangle of emotions she couldn't read.

"Lucie, you just had surgery. You're still too weak. When you're stronger, I'll explain everything..."

Her eyes burned red with fury and heartbreak. She ripped the IV needle from her hand and hurled it at him, herv her voice cracking as she finally y lost control. "I want the truth right now!

Why did you lie to me? Why?"