The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 141

Shannon was a mess, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. “Steven… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, I just—”

Steven looked completely stunned. He quickly crouched down to help her up. “Hey, get up. Don’t cry. What happened?”

“Steven, I… I…” The words caught in her throat, sharp and painful. There was no way she could confess the truth—that she’d spiked his food, hoping it would lead to something between them, only for it all to blow up in her face. Stupid chicken soup.

“Come on, get up. Everything will be alright. Just tell me what’s wrong, okay? I’m here for you.” Steven’s voice was gentle as he reached out, wiping her tears away. She looked even smaller and more fragile than before, maybe not even hitting seventy pounds now. He hadn’t seen her in a month and it seemed like the wind could knock her over. It made his heart ache.

“Steven, I… I made a mistake!” Shannon’s voice was thick with tears. She wanted to come clean, but seeing the confusion on Steven’s face, she realized he didn’t know the real story. He had no idea she was the one who’d given the robbers that crucial information. If he didn’t know, why would she out herself?

Steven kept trying to help her up. “The floor’s cold. Come on, let’s talk this out.”

Shannon’s mind spun fast. She changed her story in a heartbeat. “Steven, I’m sorry I came back from America without telling you.”

“I know you sent me there to help me grow, but I just couldn’t handle it. The work, the lifestyle is just too much. I barely lasted two weeks and lost nearly ten pounds. If I’d stayed any longer, I think I would’ve just wasted away.” She sniffled. “So I snuck back. Are you mad at me?”

Steven’s eyes softened as he cupped her face. “You silly girl. If you really didn’t want to be there, you didn’t have to stay. You don’t need to fall apart like this—I thought something serious had happened.”

“Stop crying, get up,” he said again.

When she realized he wasn’t angry, Shannon let out a shaky breath and threw herself into his arms, clinging to him like a little kid. “Steven, Steven…”

Steven let out a sigh, rubbing her head gently. “Alright, that’s enough, silly girl.”

“As long as you’re not mad at me, I’m okay. I missed you so much. I was so scared you’d be angry, that you’d never want to see me again.” She squeezed his waist, still sniffling and pitiful.

“I’m not mad. But seeing you like this… it hurts me too,” he said, helping her finally to her feet. With her so small and helpless, crying so hard, any guy would want to protect her?

Shannon clung to him, her teary eyes catching sight of his injured hand. She started crying all over again. “Steven, you’re hurt! What happened? Is it bad?”

Steven heard Lucie’s voice and instantly let go of Shannon, rushing after her. “Lucie, where are you going? You’re still too weak to be discharged.”

Lucie yanked her arm from his grasp and slapped him, loud and sharp. “Don’t touch me. Keep your filthy hands off.”

Steven looked helpless, still trying to act gentle. “Lucie, I’m just worried about you. At least wait until you’re better to leave, alright?”

Her gaze was icy. “Worry about yourself. And don’t forget about court. Fifth of next month. Be there on time. I’ve got plenty of evidence now. If you still refuse to sign the divorce papers, I won’t hesitate to expose everything.”

She turned on her heel, ready to go. If he kept stalling on the divorce, she’d make it all public—fraud, bigamy, the physical and emotional abuse he’d put her through. Every charge would be a scandal across the country. She didn’t want to go there, not unless she had no other choice. After all, the Anderson family’s reputation was everything.

Steven blocked her path again. “Lucie, don’t be stubborn. Be mad at me if you want, but don’t mess around with your health.”

Lucie snapped, shoving and hitting him. “Get out of my way! Don’t touch me!”