The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 179

They hadn’t even made it to the inner hall before Miranda’s face dropped, her lips pressed into a thin, furious line. She was shaking with anger. “Steven, are you kidding me right now? Is this some kind of joke with your mother?

“You divorced Lucie just for that woman?”

Steven’s expression was all steel and seriousness. “Mom, this isn’t a joke.”

“No. Absolutely not. I’ll never agree to this. Have you lost your mind? Did you get your head slammed in a door or something? You’re letting go of Lucie—a woman any man would be lucky to have—for someone old and broken down?”

Steven’s brow tightened and his voice got sharp. “Don’t talk about Bria like that. My feelings for her aren’t something you can just dismiss. She means everything to me, and I won’t let her down.”

Miranda’s anger boiled over. “What feelings could you possibly have for her? Sure, she did a lot for the Heath family in the past. But we’ve always treated her fairly, even paid her what she deserved.”

Steven cut her off, his voice rough with emotion. “Without Bria, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

Miranda’s tone turned harsh. “Steven, wake up! So what if you owe her? There are other ways to make it up to her. Give her money, buy her comfort—whatever. You don’t have to throw your whole life away. The two of you don’t belong together, not even close. I don’t care what you say, I will never let her be part of this family.”

Steven straightened up, voice cold and unyielding. “I didn’t bring her here to ask for your blessing, Mom. I brought her to let you know what’s happening. You can agree or not—it doesn’t matter.”

Miranda looked like she was about to explode. “I don’t care what you say! If you go through with this, I’ll die right in front of you! It’s her or me, Steven. Make your choice.”

Steven’s face was stone. “Mom, please don’t be so dramatic. My mind’s made up. Nothing you say is going to change that.”

With that, his jaw set, he turned and walked back toward the living room.

“Steven! Steven, I can’t believe this.” Miranda beat her fists helplessly against her chest, but it was useless. Her son wasn’t listening. He never did.

***

Inside the living room, the silence was heavy and awkward. Marian and Shannon stared at each other, both stunned.

After a long pause, Marian managed a strained smile. “Bria, are you… really marrying Stevem?”

Bria hesitated for a few seconds, then gave a small nod.

He’d proposed more than once before. Every time, she’d turned him down. She never wanted to trouble him, never wanted his hands stained by her mess. Some things she could handle herself—she’d always tried to keep him out of it, to protect him and his reputation. She believed his love for her would never change, so there was no need for a marriage certificate to tie him down.

But now… now she felt lost, insecure. She was terrified he’d stop loving her, that he’d really move on. Marriage was a promise, but it was also a way to keep him close.

Shannon immediately rushed over. “Steven, are you really going to marry my aunt?”

Steven’s face was stormy. “Yes. And from now on, you should call me Uncle.”

Shannon froze, her face shifting from jealousy to outright shock. Steven pulled out a gold-embossed invitation and set it on the coffee table.

“This is the wedding invitation. We’re getting married on the twenty-first of next month. I hope you’ll come.”

He turned to Bria, his voice gentle. “I’m sorry things got so ugly today. Let’s go home.”

Bria simply nodded.

Steven slipped his arm around her, helping her up as they headed for the door.

As soon as they left, Shannon turned to her mother, voice barely above a whisper. “Mom, is Steven actually crazy? Why would he want to marry Auntie?”

Marian was still too stunned to even answer.