Chapter 46

He wanted nothing more than to keep her by his side forever, to shield her from every shadow of harm.

However, he and Lucie were teetering on the brink of divorce. He had no choice but to send her away. When the time was right, he'd bring her back.

"Be good," he murmured. "Go work at the overseas branch for a few years. Get some experience. When you return, I'll make you a vice president."

Tears shimmered in Shannon's eyes as she nodded. "Alright. I'll do whatever you say."

She knew-once Steven made up his mind, he never changed it.

And he always favored women who listened to him.

So she would obey.

"Good girl." Steven stroked her hair, gentle and indulgent, like soothing a child.

"Steven, I promise I won't ever trouble you. Whatever you ask, I'll do. I'll always listen."

Her quiet compliance only twisted the knife in his heart. "...I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you someday."

Shannon gazed at him with a soft, clinging devotion, as sweet and fragile as a lamb. "I don't want anything, as long as your heart has room for me. That's all I need."

Steven exhaled, caught between helplessness and affection.

He was still so fond of this girl.

But Lucie's strength and her powerful family kept him in check. She was all soft smiles on the outside, steel and thorns beneath.

If she ever caught wind of his affair, their marriage would be finished. He wasn't ready to let her go-not yet.

***

The next morning, Lucie drifted awake, surfacing from a heavy fog.

Her mouth was parched, her entire body aching, every movement sending dull pain through her limbs.

"Mrs. Heath, you're awake?" The nurse at her bedside noticed instantly.

Lucie blinked, lost somewhere between dream and reality. The world blurred at the edges, her mind slow to clear.

"Mrs. Heath, you mustn't get upset," the nurse urged gently Please stay calm. If your wound opens again," could cause lasting harm.

"Mr. Heath and Mr. Anderson have been waiting outside. They're both terribly worried about you."

Lucie's lashes fluttered. She forced herself to breathe, to steady her heart.

She was the Anderson family's only heir now.

She had to hold herself together. If not for her own sake, then for her grandfather's.

The nurse lowered her voice. "Mr. Heath is outside. He'd like to see you."

Lucie's face was still pale, but her voice was cold and steady. "...I don't want to see him."

"Alright, Mrs. Heath. Please just focus on your recovery."

"I will," Lucie replied.

***

By the third day, Lucie's condition had finally stabilized. She was transferred from the ICU to a plush VIP suite.

As the nurse wheeled her out, Steven hovered nearby.

"Sweetheart..." His face was drawn with guilt. He longed to reach for her, but fear held him back.

Mr. Anderson's eyes were rimmed with red. "Lucie, are you feeling any better? I've been here the whole time."

The lines of exhaustion in her

grandfather's weathered face broke

Lucie's heart. She mustered a tired

smile to comfort him, "Don't I't worry

Grandpa. I be alright soon

"Good girl. Don't think about

anything else. Getting well is all that matters. No matter what happens,

Will

be there for you

A lump rose in Lucie's throat. "I know, Grandpa."

"That's my girl. Rose made some soup for you."

"Thank you, Grandpa. You have to take care of yourself too."

Mr. Anderson's smile was warm, overflowing with love. "Don't worry about me. I'm

tough as old boots-I'm not going anywhere."