Chapter 60

"Let go of me!" Lucie's voice shook with panic as she tried to break free from his grip.

Steven's arm locked around her waist, unyielding. He practically carried her to his car and shoved her into the back seat, pressing her down against the leather. His hands gripped her shoulders, giving her no chance to escape.

Her heart thudded painfully in her chest. She'd never seen Steven like this before -so cold, so frightening. "Steven, what are you doing?"

His jaw was clenched tight, his face dark with anger. "No, Lucie. That's what I should be asking you. What exactly do you think you're doing?"

She shoved at his wrists, furious. "Let me go. If you have something to say, say it. Just don't touch me!" But his hands wouldn't budge, no matter how hard she pushed.

"Are you serious this time, Lucie?" His eyes burned with anger, his voice low and rough. He looked seconds away from losing it completely. He wanted to lash out, to make her pay, but he remembered her recent miscarriage. He couldn't bring himself to actually hurt her.

Lucie's thoughts were a mess. "Steven, there's nothing left between us. I think the best thing is to just end this. Maybe we'll both be better off."

He laughed, but there was nothing warm in it. "A clean break? Really?" Control was his thing; he'd never let anyone make decisions for him. No one could force him into anything he didn't want.

"You're hurting me," she said, her voice small.

His lips brushed her ear as he leaned in closer, his tone chilling. "Am I?" His cold smile made her skin crawl. He looked like a stranger-someone distant and cruel. She'd never seen this side of him before.

"Isn't this for the best?" she said quietly. "Steven, we've been married four years. I don't want to fight. Let's just end things on good terms."

He scoffed. "Good terms? Lucie, I don't want to fight with you either. I don't want

to hurt you. All you have to do is act like nothing's changed, and I can pretend this never happened."

A shiver went through her. His words sounded gentle, but there was something threatening underneath a warning she couldn't ignore. He stared at her, his eyes cold and impossible to read. The reask was gone. This was who he really was.

"You're crushing me. Move," Lucie said, her voice strained.

Steven loosened his hold just a little, then pressed a kiss to her jaw and her ear Come home with me, Lucie. You're still my wife His voice dropped to a whisper. I'm not divorcing you. I'm just going to..."

Be a widower.

He cut himself off before he could say something he'd regret. He wasn't ready to

completely destroy the image he'd built for her-or for himself.

Lucie looked at him, her face cold.

"Going to what? Just say it. What do you want from me?" Her voice was steady, but inside she was trembling. Steven, we were married for four years. I just want out I've never hurt you, never cheated, never done anything to deserve this."

Steven fell silent, something almost like pain flickering across his face. She was smart-she already knew what he'd been about to say, even though the words never left his lips.