Chapter 53

Lucie's chest ached so badly it felt like her wounds were being ripped open all

over again. "Yeah, I'm that unreasonable," she snapped, her voice shaking. "I just can't stand her. Next time, I'll hit her even harder."

Steven's face twisted, shadows playing across his features. He stared at her, cold and sharp. “I already promised you I'd send Shannon abroad. Why can't you let it go?

"I've told you before. You can do whatever you want, and I've always put up with it. But I just don't want Shannon to get hurt. I just wish you'd care for her like a sister, the way I do. Is that really too much to ask?"

Lucie's answer was ice-cold. "Get out."

Steven exhaled hard, his tone turning dangerous. "Lucie, you can fight with me all you want. But don't you dare touch Shannon. If you do this again, I won't let it slide. Don't test me."

Without another word, he scooped Shannon up and stormed out, not even glancing back.

Lucie was left shaking, drenched in cold sweat as pain shot through her. Her legs buckled and she almost fell.

Mira and Angela rushed to catch her, guiding her gently onto the bed. "Lucie, are you okay? You need to lie down."

She lay still, breathing through the pain until it dulled a little. "I'm fine," she managed.

Yolanda hovered nearby, worry all over her face. "You look awful. I'm calling a doctor."

"No, really. Just let me rest for a minute. I'll be okay."

Angela looked guilty. "Lucie, I'm so sorry. We just wanted to stand up for you. We never thought it would blow up like this. Please don't be mad at us."

Lucie gave a tired smile. "How could I be mad at you? Thanks for being here."

Mira was still fuming. "That little homewrecker is such a fake. She acts so innocent, but underneath she's rotten. That cutesy voice of hers makes my skin crawl."

Angela rolled her eyes. "Seriously. But guys love that type, don't they? The girls we can't stand are exactly the ones men fall for."

Lucie hardly heard them. Her mind was racing, turning over divorce papers and lawyers. Shannon only acted out again and again because Steven always had her back, no matter what.

If she couldn't win Steven's heart, then maybe it was time to end things for good. She was so done with the drama so done with letting toxic people suck the life out of her

Angela, worried Lucie was making herself sick, tried to cheer her up. "Don't let this eat you up, Lucie. Stuff like this happens all the time. What man doesn't cheat, honestly?" She sighed. "Still, if he's going to have a mistress he should at least have the decency to keep her hidden, not parade her around in front of his wife. And that little snake? She's got bigger plans. If she dares show up here, she's not just looking to stay as the other woman. She wants your place."

Mira snorted As if that's going to happen. Does she really think men are that dumb? Sure, they keep ac mistress for her looks but whet comes to marriage? With her background? No respectable guy would ever actually marry her."

Lucie's patience wore thin. She didn't want to hear any more of this. "I just want to be alone for a while."

"Right, let's let Lucie get some rest."

"Lucie, you really don't look well. I think I should still call the doctor."

Lucie shook her head, her eyes dark and tired. "I'm just exhausted, that's all. Go

home. When I'm feeling better, let's get together for dinner."

"Alright, but call us if you need anything. Anytime, okay?"