The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 152

Bria didn’t say anything. She just quietly slid off him and sat up, her expression calm.

She got it. She really did.

After all, she’d been stuck in a hospital bed, barely alive, for eight years. Of course he’d lost interest in her. Who wouldn’t? And now he had a stunning wife by his side. How could anyone not feel something for a person after all that time?

But she wasn’t going to make things harder for him. Bria knew how to make the tough choices. If someone was messing with his peace of mind, she’d handle it herself. No unnecessary drama.

When Bria’s face cooled, Steven panicked a little, trying to make things better. “Are you mad?”

“No,” she replied, her voice steady.

He fumbled for another topic. “You’re probably hungry, right? I’ll call the driver, see where he is.”

Steven used the excuse to step away, pretending to make a call.

Ten minutes later, he strolled back in. “Food’s almost here.”

He tried to sound casual. “Let’s just eat at home tonight, nothing fancy. After dinner, you should get some rest. Tomorrow, I’ll bring our son to see you.”

“Okay.” Bria nodded, quietly going along with everything.

Another thirty minutes passed before the driver showed up with takeout. The dining table filled up with all kinds of fancy dishes.

Steven set the table for her, even picked up some food with his fork and put it in her bowl. “Bria, this is from that little place you used to love. All your old favorites. Give it a try.”

“Thanks, but I can do it myself,” she said, her voice polite but distant.

After dinner, Steven lingered for a while, then finally mustered the courage to say, “It’s getting late. You should rest. I’ll head home now.”

Bria hesitated. She wanted to ask him to stay. But after a second, she just nodded. “Okay. Drive safe. Call me when you get home.”

“I will. I’ll bring Cody tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

Steven didn’t say another word. He leaned down, pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, then walked out the door.

As soon as he left, Bria’s eyes filled with a quiet sadness. But it didn’t last long. Her look hardened, old determination settling in.

***

Steven left the Rose Garden, his thoughts a mess. He felt torn up inside, restless and guilty. He pulled out his phone and, without thinking, dialed Lucie’s number.

It rang a few times before going straight to voicemail. “The number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please try again later…”

Her phone was off. No one could reach her.

Steven hesitated, then typed out a text:

[Lucie, your car’s ready. If you have time, you can come pick it up. Or I can drop it off for you.]

A while back, he’d crashed into her white Cayenne while chasing after her. He’d gotten it towed and fixed, but never got around to returning it. Lucie had a bunch of cars, but that one was her favorite. Bringing it back was just a reason to see her again.

He hit send, but there was no reply.

“Oh.” Cody blinked at him, still totally confused.

An hour later, they arrived at the Rose Garden. Bria was already waiting outside, the yard filled with toys she’d laid out for him.

“Cody, come on out,” Steven said.

Cody bounced out of the car, eyes wide, taking in the beautiful garden. “Where are we?” he asked.

“Steven, is this… is this Cody?” Bria’s voice trembled with excitement as she stared at the little boy. All she wanted was to hug him tight.

“Who’s that?” Cody asked, peeking at Bria. He noticed her wheelchair, the missing fingers, her unfamiliar face. She looked different from anyone he knew, maybe even a little scary. Instinctively, he tried to hide behind Steven’s legs.

“Cody, say hi to Mommy.” Steven gently nudged him forward.

But Cody shook his head and pulled back, making a face. “She’s not my mommy. Who is she? She looks scary.”

Steven’s face darkened. “Don’t say that. She’s your real mommy. Say hello.”

“No! I don’t want to! She’s not my mommy! I want to go home!”

Bria’s smile froze. For a second, she didn’t know what to do.

“Cody, that’s not how we treat people. Say hi to your mommy,” Steven said, his voice stern.

But Cody just shook his head, stubborn and scared. “No, I don’t wanna! She’s not my mommy!”