The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 324

“No matter how hard I try to make things right, you never even acknowledge it. But I have to ask—during these four years of marriage, was I really that bad of a husband?”

Lucie’s chest tightened, her eyes darting away.

In those four years… he had been good to her. Honestly, he’d done everything right. Or more accurately, he’d played his part perfectly.

But no matter how perfect the act, a lie was still a lie. Once the truth came out, it wiped away everything between them.

Steven stepped closer, reaching out as if he might hold her. “Lucie, I know you hate me. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I never meant to deceive you—it was just, at the time, I didn’t have a choice.”

“I really thought Bria would never wake up. I genuinely planned to spend my life with you.”

But that wasn’t the whole story. When they first married, he hadn’t thought about forever at all. It was only after spending time together that his feelings started to change.

Lucie stepped back, her tone ice cold. “Don’t say another word.”

“I’ll think about having this baby. But you have to agree to one condition.”

Steven’s eyes flickered with hope. “Name it.”

Lucie steadied her breath, her voice firm and clear. “After the baby’s born, no matter what happens with the cord blood, this child has nothing to do with you. You don’t get to claim them as yours. Not ever.”

Steven just stared at her, stunned and silent.

She kept her gaze steady. “This child is part of the Anderson family. The Heath family has nothing to do with it.”

She’d made up her mind.

She wanted a child of her own—but she wanted no more ties to him.

“I’ll raise the baby myself. I’ll give them everything they need. But you can never let anyone know you’re the father. Not now, not ever.”

Steven’s face darkened, anger flashing in his eyes. “Lucie, what are you talking about? That’s my child too! How can you just cut me out?”

“Why not?” She met his gaze, her tone sharp and frosty. “From the moment you set me up, this baby shouldn’t have even existed. The only reason I’m willing to have it is for Cody. What more do you want from me?”

She paused, her hand hovering over her belly, and her words dripped with bitterness. “I won’t let my child live in another kid’s shadow. And I definitely won’t let them be tied to you.”

Steven’s jaw tightened. “This baby is a Heath. I can’t just walk away from that!”

She cut him off, sharp as a blade. “Save it. If you can’t agree, then forget it. I won’t have this baby.”

Her determination was impossible to argue with. Steven could only grit his teeth and pace in frustration.

“Lucie, can’t we talk this out?”

“I’ll raise the baby. You don’t have to be involved in our lives. But I want to know my child is safe. Can’t I at least see them sometimes?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify