The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 115

“You’ll always be Grandpa’s precious little princess. When you’re feeling better, I’ll make you your favourite fish every day.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

“Good girl. Get some rest now.”

Lucie just nodded, quiet and tired. She closed her eyes again.

…

The next morning, Lucie was already looking much better. The heart attack had come out of nowhere, but now that the worst was over, she was on the mend.

Steven didn’t show up once the whole day. That was weird—totally not like him.

“Grandpa, where’s Steven?” Lucie asked.

Her grandfather’s face went stiff, like he wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out.

“Why hasn’t he come to the hospital?” Lucie’s voice was faint.

He let out a heavy sigh, frustration bubbling up. “Don’t ask about him. For all I care, that jerk could be dead somewhere.”

Lucie’s chest tightened. She stared at her grandfather, lost and a little helpless.

“Lucie, your only job right now is to get better. Don’t worry about anything else.”

“Life is never easy,” he continued, trying to sound gentle. “We all hit rough patches, but you have to face them with a smile and stay strong. Every hardship is just a test. Remember, after the storm, there’s always a rainbow.”

Lucie let out a shaky breath. “Grandpa, I have some bad news to tell you.”

“I need you to prepare yourself. I’m afraid this might be too much…”

He looked at her, solemn. “Is it about the divorce? Go for it! I support you. Steven’s not even human as far as I’m concerned. There’s no reason to stay with him.”

Lucie shook her head, her eyes dim. “It’s not that. Divorce isn’t even a big deal anymore compared to this.”

“What?” Grandpa looked shocked.

“What could be worse than a divorce?”

“That’s impossible.”

Lucie’s heart felt hollow. “It’s true. He’s not mine.”

“Then what happened to your real child?”

She swallowed hard. “…Steven tricked me. When we did IVF, he used someone else’s egg.”

The words hit Grandpa like a punch. He looked like he might faint.

A second later, he clutched his chest, gasping for breath.

“Grandpa! Grandpa!” Lucie struggled to sit up, fumbling for the call button.

With a dull thud, Grandpa collapsed onto the floor.

“Grandpa!”