Chapter 52

Steven showed up just in time. The second he heard shouting from inside the hospital room, he burst in, heart pounding.

The place was a mess. Shannon was crumpled on the floor, her hair a total disaster and her dress ripped so badly you could see her white lace underwear. She was crying so hard her face was blotchy and her voice was barely more than a desperate, broken plea for help.

"What the hell are you doing?" Steven's voice cracked through the chaos, sharp and furious.

All three girls froze. Fear flickered in their eyes as they scrambled away from Shannon.

Steven rushed over, gathering Shannon into his arms. "Shannon, are you okay?"

She clung to him, shaking all over, her words tumbling out between sobs. "Steven, they... they all teamed up on me. They hit me."

Steven's face darkened as he stared down the three girls, but his eyes landed on Lucie. "Who laid a hand on her?"

The trio went silent, glancing at Lucie without a word.

Lucie slid off the hospital bed, looking icy and bored. "Honestly, it's a shame we didn't finish the job."

Steven's anger flared. "Lucie, why do you always have to make things so ugly with her? What did she ever do to you? Why can't you just let her be?"

He could forgive a lot, but seeing the girl he'd always protected, treated like this? That was where he drew the line. He'd always hoped Lucie and Shannon could get along, but if someone hurt Shannon, all bets were off.

Shannon snuggled deeper into his chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Don't blame Lucie, Steven. She's just angry at me... jealous, maybe. I get it, really." She turned to Lucie, her eyes wide and watery. "If it'll help you feel better, just hit me again. I don't mind."

She looked so fragile and pitiful, anyone would feel bad for her.

Lucie's face stayed calm, totally unreadable. She slipped her shoes off and walked straight over.

"Go ahead Lucie," Shannon said,

trying to sound brave but clearly

convinced Lucre wouldn't dar net

anything

with Steven there f

ac

it'll

help, just do it."

Without warning, Lucie swung her slipper and smacked Shannon across the face, the sound echoing in the room. She grabbed a fistful of Shannon's hair, yanked her out of Steven's arms, and slammed her head against the nightstand.

Shannon screamed. The whole thing happened so fast, nobody had time to react -least of all Steven.

He snapped out of it and shoved Lucie away, putting himself between her and Shannon. "Lucie, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Lucie gave him a cold, twisted smile. "You heard her. She told me to hit her so I could feel better."

"Steven... it hurts..." Shannon

whimpered, blood trickling from her mouth, her face already swelling

with the mark of Lucie's slipper Mer

hair was a tangled mess, and then her eyes rolled back as she passed out cold.

"Shannon! Shannon!" Steven shouted, panic in his voice.

Lucie yanked her ring off and hurled it at Steven. It hit him square in the face

before bouncing to the floor and rolling under the bed.

"Lucie, I can't believe you," Steven snapped, his eyes blazing.

Lucie stared at him, her voice flat and dead. "Take your ring, Steven. Get out. I don't want you in my life anymore. Go to hell."

The room went silent. For a second, no one moved. Then Steven scooped Shannon into his arms, his voice tight and furious. "You've really crossed the line, Lucie."