The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 131

Lucie just stood there, completely stunned.

Cody glared at her, his little face twisted with anger. “You’re a bad mom. This is all your fault. You’re the one who made Aunt Shannon leave, so now I can’t see her.”

He stamped his foot. “Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and take me home!”

Sure, those scary men from earlier freaked him out, but now that he saw his mom, he changed into the usual little tyrant that he used to be. No matter what he did, she’d always let it slide. She always forgave him, always gave in.

Lucie watched Cody, feeling like she’d swallowed a rock. She wanted to teach him to be polite, to fix his attitude. But then she remembered—he’s not even really her son. Who was she to discipline him?

“Did you not hear me? Take me home! I don’t want to stay in this stupid place. I want to see Grandma, I want Daddy, I want Aunt Shannon!”

As he shouted, Cody burst into tears and started throwing his little fists at Lucie, pounding her over and over. Marian had taught him that trick, along with how to spit at his mom. Every time he did, Marian gave him a toy. Eventually, it just became his go-to move.

Lucie didn’t react. She just stood there, feeling colder inside than the night air.

Whatever. She was too tired to argue. Once she and Steven got divorced, she’d have nothing to do with Cody anyway. Why bother getting worked up over a kid who would soon be out of her life?

Lucie stayed silent, but Elio couldn’t just watch. He grabbed Cody by the ear and yanked him aside. “Hey, you little brat. Hitting your mom? Who do you think you are?”

“You’ve got some nerve, huh? No manners at all. Get lost!” He didn’t hesitate, cocked his finger and flicked Cody right on the forehead.

“Ow!” Cody shrieked, clutching his head. “You’re mean! I’m telling my daddy on you!”

“Go ahead, see if I care. Maybe I’ll give your dad a taste, too.” Elio pretended to go in for another flick.

“Aah!” Cody screamed. “You’re the worst! I’m gonna fight you!” His little face turned bright red, and he charged at Elio like a stubborn calf.

Elio just laughed. When Cody almost crashed into him, Elio put a hand on the kid’s head and jumped right over him.

Cody lost his balance and hit the ground hard. He landed face-first, and his nose started bleeding.

“Ow, ow, it hurts!” Cody bawled.

A three-year-old troublemaker was no match for a twenty-seven-year-old one.

Lucie shot Elio a look. “Stop messing around with him. It’s getting late. We need to get off the mountain.”

“This kid needs to learn some discipline. I’m just making sure he doesn’t grow up to be a menace.”

Lucie just stared at him. Of all people, Elio talking about teaching manners? That was rich.

“Enough, stop crying,” Lucie said, frowning as she knelt to help Cody up.

But Cody, still mad, shoved her hard enough to knock her to the ground. “Go away, bad mommy! Don’t touch me. I hate you!”

Cody screamed his head off.

Lucie jumped up, heart in her throat. “Elio, what are you doing?” If Cody fell from that height, he’d be seriously hurt.

Just before Cody hit the ground, Elio caught him, then tossed him up again.

Cody went completely silent, terrified out of his mind.

Elio caught him one last time. “So? Are you done? Or do you want to go another round?”

Cody was shaking, tears and snot running down his face. “No more! I won’t do it again, I promise!”

He was used to being the boss at home, getting his way with everyone. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before.

“So what do you say?”

“I’m sorry! I really won’t do it again!”

Elio raised an eyebrow. “And who are you saying sorry to?”

“To… mommy.”