The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 186

The root of her broken tooth had finally been pulled out.

Steven had been sitting at Miranda’s bedside the whole time. As soon as she stirred, he leaned in, worry etched all over his face. “Mum, you’re awake?”

Miranda blinked a few times, her eyes struggling to focus. “Um… huh… Where am I? What is this place?”

“You’re at the hospital,” Steven said gently. “You fell down the stairs and broke your leg. The doctors say you need to rest now.”

She lay there, dazed, her thoughts scattered before finally clicking together again.

“Oh… Yeah, I remember now…”

Before Miranda could get another word out, Shannon rushed over, practically collapsing against the bed as she burst into tears. “Please, don’t be so upset!

“Even if you don’t want my brother to marry Aunt Bria, you can’t risk your life over it!

“This afternoon, you said you’d jump off the roof. We all thought you were just mad, but then—you actually did it.” Shannon wiped her tears, crying harder. “You have no idea how much you scared Steven. Please, I’m begging you, don’t ever do something like this again!”

Miranda’s eyes darted around, her brain spinning. She’d been about to say she just slipped, but Shannon’s little reminder gave her a new idea.

If she insisted it was an accident, Steven would just feel bad for her and maybe fuss over her for a bit.

But if she made it sound like she’d tried to end it all because she was so upset about Steven and Bria’s wedding, well… that would be a whole different thing. There’s no way her son would just stand by and watch his own mother fall apart.

“Mrs. Heath, please don’t do anything reckless again,” Shannon sniffled, still clinging to her drama. She had to admit, all those years in school hadn’t dulled her quick thinking one bit.

Miranda caught on right away and went along with it. “Steven, just leave me alone,” she croaked weakly. “If you’re really set on marrying that woman, then just pretend your mum’s already gone.”

Steven’s face twisted with worry. “Mum, why are you doing this? There’s no need for this.”

“I don’t care,” Miranda said, sounding half-dead but stubborn as ever. “If I have to die to stop you from bringing that woman into this family, then so be it.”

He sighed, helpless. “Just focus on getting better, okay? We’ll talk about everything else once you’re healthy again.”

“No. You have to promise me. Right now. Break up with her. If you don’t, next time I’ll jump off the top of Heath International myself.”

Steven felt his chest tighten, frustration simmering under his skin. But with his mum looking so fragile, he just couldn’t push her anymore.

“Say something!” Miranda demanded, her voice rising.

Steven finally gave in. “Okay, Mum. I promise. I won’t marry Bria until you’re back on your feet.”

He barely waited for a reply before standing up and slipping out of the room, desperate to escape before she could start up again.

Outside, he felt like he could barely breathe. He wandered out to the hospital balcony, lit a cigarette, and then another, trying to calm himself down.

His phone buzzed. Bria was calling.

“Hey, Bria,” he answered, his voice tired.

By ten that morning, Lucie was anxiously waiting when her phone rang.

“Miss, it’s not working out,” Rose said, sounding flustered. “The doctor says your grandfather can’t leave yet. If we insist on discharging him, we have to sign a waiver saying the hospital isn’t responsible for anything that happens afterward.”

Lucie frowned. “Can’t you just sign for me?”

“No, they said it has to be a family member’s signature,” Rose replied.

Lucie’s heart sank. “Okay, I get it. Can you check if Steven’s around the hospital?”

“I haven’t seen Mr. Heath anywhere. I don’t think he’s here.”

“Just in case, check the other floors.”

“Alright, I’ll take another look.”

A few minutes later, Rose called back. “Miss, I’ve been through every floor. No sign of Mr. Heath. Honestly, he’s so busy—there’s no way he’d hang around the hospital all morning.”

Lucie finally felt a bit relieved. “Okay, got it. You and Madison finish packing up. I’m heading over now.”

“We’re ready to go,” Rose assured her.

“Perfect. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”