The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 329

Steven’s heart lurched with guilt as he stammered, “Bria, you—when did you get here?”

Bria’s face was a tangled mess of emotions that she tried to hold together. After a long, awkward pause, she forced a small smile. “I just wanted to check on Ms. Anderson.”

He’d spent so long insisting he didn’t love Lucie. But after what Bria had just seen, whatever hope she had left finally broke. The man she loved—he wasn’t hers anymore.

Steven swallowed, eyes darting away. “She’s fine. Just got a little worked up, but it won’t hurt the baby.”

Bria ignored him. Instead, she looked past Steven at Lucie, who was lying on the hospital bed. Her voice was soft but sharp. “Steven, what you said to Elio just now. Did you mean it?”

Steven frowned. “What did I say?”

Bria let out a faint, bitter laugh. Suddenly, she didn’t want to argue anymore. “…Forget it. Doesn’t matter.”

“She’s pregnant. She needs you. You should stay and take care of her.”

Bria blinked hard, fighting the tears burning in her eyes. Then she turned and started limping away.

His feelings had changed. That was the truth she couldn’t ignore anymore. There was no point in clinging to something that was already gone. Better to walk away with what little pride she still had.

Steven hurried after her, panic rising. “Bria, where are you going?”

She paused, but didn’t look back. Her voice was thick, shaky. “Where else? Home. The only place left for me.”

She looked so small and fragile in the doorway, dragging her injured leg, every step probably hurting more than she’d ever let on.

Steven stared at her, chest tight. Bria had given him everything, but all he felt now was obligation—not love.

“Bria, don’t do this.” He reached for her, but she stepped out of his grasp. “About the baby—”

At that, Bria’s shoulders jerked. Tears finally slipped down her cheeks. “You don’t need to say anything. I get it.”

“Go do what you want, Steven. You don’t owe me an explanation.”

She could see it clearly now. Steven’s heart wasn’t with her anymore. The way he protected Lucie, the fear and care in his eyes—she’d never been on the receiving end of that.

“You can’t go alone. Let me take you home.”

Steven’s voice was tight with worry. “The doctor said Cody isn’t stable right now—”

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