Chapter 49

Lucie's chest tightened. She just stared at him, her heart pounding.

He was the same as always-handsome and refined, elegant, every inch the dignified man. At thirty, he'd only grown more composed, more confident, the steadiness of maturity settling into his features.

And yet, in that moment, the man beside her felt like a stranger.

Maybe she'd never truly known him at all.

"Here, let me put this on you." Steven slipped the ring onto her finger, then pressed a lingering kiss to the back of her hand, eyes full of affection.

"Do you like it?"

Lucie glanced down. The massive blue diamond blazed under the hospital's harsh lights, cold fire dancing in its depths.

But the Anderson family had collected more treasures than most people could dream of. She'd seen countless jewels, so this one barely stirred her.

Steven's smile faltered, just for a heartbeat, before he recovered. "I had them make you some ginger soup. It'll help you get your strength back."

He stood, fetched a thermos, and carefully ladled the steaming soup into a bowl. "Steven, you don't have to go through all this trouble," Lucie said, her voice cool and distant.

Her mind was set. She would divorce him.

Whether he'd lied or not, she couldn't spend another day as his wife.

"A husband taking care of his wife is only natural, isn't it?" Steven replied with a gentle smile, skimming the oil from the top of the soup. "How could that be trouble?"

He blew softly on the spoonful, then held it to her lips. "Come on, open up."

Lucie hesitated, then gave in and drank. Her body was still weak; she needed to recover before she did anything else.

For now, she'd let him play the caring husband. It was only a few more days.

"Have some more." Steven patiently fed her, spoon after spoon.

He knew exactly what he was doing. Why let things unravel when a little tenderness could keep everything in check?

It wasn't love-at least not the deep, consuming kind. For a man like him, love was not a necessity Divorce, on the other hand was a waste pure and simple. t

"I've had enough." Lucie's hand drifted to her abdomen, grief twisting inside her for the child she'd lost.

Steven caught the movement and covered her band with his, voice gentle. "When you're well again, we can try for another baby. This one just wasn't meant to be ours hurts, but we can't let it breabus. We'll have more children-don't lose hope."

Lucie looked at him, her gaze icy, lips pressed tight. She said nothing.

He was so good at soothing words. Too good.

For the next few days, Steven barely left her side. He fed her, brought her water, anticipated her every need, perfect in every way.

He was so attentive that even Mr. Anderson was moved, and quietly urged Lucie to be more forgiving, more generous.

***

On the tenth day, Lucie was finally strong enough to get out of bed on her own.

The moment Mira, Angela, and Yolanda heard she was in the hospital, they rushed to see her.

Mira set a bright bouquet on the nightstand, her brows drawn with concern Lucie are we even friends, You're in the hospital and were the last to know?"

Angela's worry matched hers. "We just found out today. How are you feeling? Any better?"

Lucie managed a smile. "I'm feeling much better. I should be able to go home next week."

"No wonder you didn't answer your phone the last few days," Mira said, settling on the edge of the bed and picking up an apple for Lucie.

Suddenly, her gaze landed on the enormous diamond on Lucie's finger.

Her jaw dropped. Without hesitation, she slid the ring off Lucie's hand, eyes shining. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's this—another victory prize?"