Chapter 63

"What happened?"

"Doctor, does he need stitches?"

The doctor glanced at the wound, frowning. "This is deep. He'll definitely need stitches. Prep the anesthetic."

Lucie's stomach flipped just looking at it.

"It hurts, babe," Steven said, his voice low and rough.

"...It won't hurt once they numb it."

A moment later, the doctor injected the anesthetic and carefully disinfected the cut.

"Mr. Heath, I'm going to start stitching now."

"Alright." Steven's reply was cool and clipped. He reached out with his good hand and tugged Lucie closer.

"Stay with me, honey. It hurts," he said, almost childishly.

Lucie couldn't even look, much less think of anything comforting to say.

Minutes ticked by.

The doctor finished, dabbed some medicine on, and wrapped Steven's hand. "All set. Come back in two weeks to get the stitches out. And don't get it wet for at least a week."

"Thanks, Doc."

Lucie let out a sigh, half exasperated, half resigned. "Let's go."

"I'm in this state and you're not even going to take me home?" Steven complained.

Lucie frowned. "I'll call the driver to pick you up."

"No way. I want you to come home with me."

"Steven, we're... we're in the middle of a divorce."

He looked her straight in the eye. "I never agreed to a divorce."

Lucie hesitated, then shook her head firmly. "No. I'm not going back with you."

She turned, ready to bolt if she had to. If she went home with him now, she'd never get out. He'd find some way to pull her into bed, and once that happened all their issues would just disappear again, like always

Steven moved fast, grabbing her collar before she could get away. "Still not listening, huh?"

"Ah-!"

Lucie yelped as he scooped her up, carrying her straight to the car. He pushed her into the passenger seat, slammed the door, then jumped behind the wheel.

The engine roared. He floored it, tires screeching as he shot out of the parking lot. "Slow down!" Lucie yelled, clutching the door as the car zigzagged through traffic. He didn't slow down. The dashboard cast a blue glow over his tense jaw. Suddenly, his bandaged hand landed on top of hers, his musk scent filling the car. "Do you know what I hate most?" he asked, glancing at her with a strange, almost teasing look in his eyes.

Lucie just stared at him, frozen.

"I hate cheaters. You know what I do when I catch someone cheating at my

tables? I have their hands cut off."

He spun the wheel hard. Lucie

tumbled against him, and he leaned

in, laughing quietly near her ear

"Now you te trying to run from rag What do you think I should do with you?"

She couldn't breathe.

Steven smiled, but there was nothing gentle about it. "If you try to run again, I'll break your legs."

A chill ran down her spine. She pressed herself into the door, desperate to put space between them.

"Scared?"

He softened his tone, almost playful

again. "Come on, babe, I'm just

joking 4'd never really hurt you.

want you to listen. I want

l.ne

Just

sto

go back to how they went

Lucie stayed silent, a cold fear settling in her chest. She had to get away from him. He was terrifying. Only now did she realize she didn't know him at all.