Chapter 7

Steven went rigid, the air between them dropping to arctic cold. "Lucie, what the hell is this now?"

Lucie's face was stone. She enunciated every word: "I'm serious, Steven. I want a divorce."

His eyes blazed with disbelief-then just as quickly, they iced over with indifference and irritation.

He refused to believe she'd actually end their marriage over something so petty. Every time Shannon showed up, Lucie got jealous and picked a fight.

He'd explained himself over and over. Shannon was like a sister to him. He'd already married Lucie. All he wanted was to make up for what Shannon had lost. Why couldn't Lucie just understand?

The standoff strangled the room.

A brittle cough broke the silence.

Shannon, voice as delicate as spun sugar, murmured, "Steven, she's just jealous. Don't worry about me. Go talk to her, okay? Cough, cough..."

Steven's attention snapped straight to her. His tone softened instantly. "Shhhh. Let me take you back to your room to rest."

"Steven, put me down. Don't make this harder than it is. You should be with Lucie, please."

Shannon squirmed to free herself.

He gave in, lowering her gently.

The moment her feet hit the floor, she wilted, her narrow waist giving way. "Oh..."

Steven lunged, catching her before she could collapse. His arm circled her waist, steady and sure.

Shannon whimpered, melting boneless into his chest.

"I told you not to get up. You never listen," he scolded softly, cradling her as if she might shatter.

Shannon's hands fluttered against him in feeble protest, but he only held her tighter. "Steven, don't worry about me. Go talk to Lucie. Please."

Her voice trembled, all fragile innocence-but her gaze flicked to Lucie, glinting with open challenge.

"Lucie, you're really misunderstanding things," Shannon said, syrup-sweet. "Steven's just worried because I'm not well. There's nothing else to it. You don't have to be jealous."

A hot wave of fury surged inside Lucie, mingled with bitter disgust.

Even blood siblings wouldn't cling to each other like this.

However, none of it mattered anymore. Divorce was already on the agenda.

"Cut the act," Lucie shot back, her voice flat as steel. "If you're really that sick, go to a hospital and get treated, Stop calling my husband in the middle of the night. Your little games are pretty obvious."

Shannon's eyes filled, tears trembling on her lashes. "Steven, did you hear that?

She really is jealous of me...

"I should just leave..."

Steven's gaze went glacial, pinning Lucie in place. "Lucie, are you out of your mind? If you keep going after

Shannon like this,

you can't accept

her, maybe we really should get a

divorce."

Lucie exhaled slowly, rage and heartbreak twisting together. She shoved the

divorce papers at him. "Enough. Sign them."

Steven's jaw flexed, his voice taut with fury. "You think I won't?"

"Steven, please, don't do this. Lucie, I'll go, okay? Just stop fighting with Steven!"

Shannon's tears spilled, fat and shining.

That was all Cody needed.

He barreled across the room, head lowered, and rammed into Lucie with all his might. "Bad mommy! You're bullying Aunt Sharmon again! You're mean hate you!"

“Ugh—” The blow sent Lucie reeling, her high heel rolling out from under her. She barely caught herself before she fell.

"You're awful! Get out of our house!"

Lucie steadied herself, staring at her furious son. Something inside her snapped, the last fragile thread.

CRACK!

The slap echoed like a gunshot.

She'd had enough. Her open palm struck Cody's face with all the force of her anguish.

He toppled, landing hard. One side of his small face bloomed red and swollen in an instant.