The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 100

Cody climbed onto the bed, holding out a cookie to Lucie, his eyes wide with hope.

Her eyes stung with tears, her heart twisting painfully. She didn’t want to eat, but the way Cody looked at her—so sweet, so desperate—she couldn’t refuse. She took a tiny bite.

Cody grinned. “Do you like it?”

“Mmm…”

“If you do, I’ll make more for you tomorrow, Mommy!”

Lucie just stared at him, her chest aching in ways she couldn’t put into words.

Steven came in then, a bouquet of flowers in his arms. “Honey, look at our son. Isn’t he thoughtful? He just wants to make you happy.”

Lucie’s expression frosted over. “Get out. I don’t want to see you right now.”

Cody’s face fell. “Mommy, did Daddy make you mad? For my sake, can’t you forgive him just this once?”

Lucie’s eyes filled with tears. “Cody, you’re too little. There are things you’ll understand when you’re older, okay?”

But Cody was determined. He tugged on her arm, his little mouth chattering non-stop. “Please, Mommy. Just forgive Daddy. Look at the flowers he brought you! And he said that when you feel better, we can all go on a cruise around the world together!”

The more Lucie listened, the more her heart hurt. She could barely hold back her tears. If only she didn’t know the truth. If only Cody was really her own little boy. If only life was that simple.

Steven’s voice was strained. “Lucie, please, just calm down.” He turned and left the room, blood still seeping down his face.

“Daddy… Daddy…” Cody called after him softly, but he didn’t dare follow. His father had told him to stay and cheer up his mother, so he did. Even though, deep down, he didn’t actually like her.

Marian was always telling him that his mom was some kind of wicked witch, always hanging around cemeteries and digging up dead bodies, smelling awful and bringing bad luck to anyone nearby. Aunt Shannon, on the other hand, was a real fairy—pretty and magical. She could make kids smarter and better-looking.

Little by little, Cody started to believe it. He didn’t want a witch for a mom. He wanted someone like Aunt Shannon—a real-life fairy.

He hesitated, then looked up at Lucie, his voice barely above a whisper. “Mommy, if I’m good, will you ask Daddy to bring Aunt Shannon back? I haven’t seen her in days. I really miss her.”