Chapter 78

He kept sending her messages, hoping for even the tiniest reply.

[Lucie, even if we're getting divorced, you don't have to hide from me. Please contact me. I just want to talk about all this.]

[If you've really made up your mind, I'll respect your choice. But I wish you'd think things over one more time. I don't want to lose you. I love you.]

He sent messages every single day, but nothing ever came back. Not even a read receipt.

Wednesday came. The day of the court hearing.

Steven woke up early, dressed Cody, and took him to the courthouse. At nine thirty sharp, a line of cars rolled up to the entrance. Lucie stepped out, her face hidden behind oversized sunglasses and a mask. She wore a crisp blue and white suit that made her look like she meant business.

The second she got out, a group of security guards surrounded her, keeping everyone else at a distance.

Steven had been waiting for what felt like forever. As soon as he saw her, he hurried over. “Lucie, you finally showed up. Do you know how worried I've been?" His voice was rushed and shaky. "Can we talk, please? Just for a minute, in private?"

Lucie glanced at him, her eyes icy and unreadable. "Mr. Heath, if you have something to say, say it in court."

She didn't wait for a response. She just turned and walked straight into the building.

Steven felt like he'd been punched in the chest. He tried to follow. "Lucie, do you really have to go this far?"

Seven or eight guards stepped between them. "Mr. Heath, please don't come any closer to Ms. Anderson."

Lucie had expected Steven might try something, or keep her from leaving after the hearing, so she'd brought a whole security team just for today.

Steven couldn't get through the wall of guards, so he gave Cody's shoulder a little squeeze.

Cody caught on right away. He started bawling, loud and dramatic, squeezing past the security team and latching onto Lucie's leg.

"Mommy, Moramy don't net

you want

me anymore? Let me gol want my mommy!"

He was sobbing so hard his whole body shook. “Mommy, please don't divorce Daddy! I'll be good, I promise! I know I was wrong before. Please, Mommy, don't leave me and Daddy, okay?"

Lucie froze, staring at her son like she didn't even recognize him. Cody had always kept his distance before. He never wanted hugs, barely let her touch him, and even calling her "Mommy" seemed forced.

Now, he was clinging to her like his life depended on it. It made no sense.

"Mommy, Daddy and I both love you. Why are you divorcing him?" Cody's voice was muffled by tears. "If you and Daddy split up, I'll be a kid with no mommy. I'll be all alone. No..."

His performance was so convincing that everyone watching felt a lump in their throat. Of course, Cody

wasn't really scared of losing hisnet

mom Steven had promised him all kinds of rewards if he could help a huge playground, everra private 200, in their backyard. For that, Cody was more than happy to give the

performance of his life.

"Please, Mommy, please don't divorce Daddy!" he sobbed, clinging tighter.

Lucie's heart twisted painfully. Even if she had doubts Cody was her biological child, he was still the baby she'd carried for nine months, the one she almost died giving birth to.

If he called her "Mommy, she'd

always be his mom.

"Cody, don't do this," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I'm not leaving you.

Even if Daddy and I separate, we'll both always love you."