The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 204

“You have to rinse the tea leaves twice. The flavor’s so much better that way. Here, give it a try,” Lucie said, her voice warm and gentle. She poured the tea into cups and passed one to each of them.

Elio took his and sipped carefully, savoring it. June grabbed hers and took a few quick gulps, still sulking.

Lucie smiled, patient and motherly. “Alright, that’s enough bickering. Whatever’s going on, let’s just sit down and talk it through, okay?”

Elio’s face darkened. “I’ve got nothing to say to her.”

June rolled her eyes, huffing. “Please, if it weren’t for my mom pushing me, I wouldn’t even bother with you. Who do you think you are, some kind of hotshot?” She turned away, chin in the air.

As she glanced around, something caught her eye—a photo frame tucked behind the glass doors of a bookcase. It was a picture of Lucie and Steven. Because it was hidden away, Lucie hadn’t noticed it was still out.

June’s curiosity got the better of her. “Whoa, hold up—who’s this guy?” She flung open the cabinet, grabbed the frame, and stared at it like she’d found buried treasure.

In the photo, Steven looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine—tall, striking, confident, his features bold and ridiculously hot. He was the textbook definition of a heartthrob.

Lucie’s heart squeezed tight. “Oh, that… I meant to throw that away. Just haven’t gotten around to it,” she said, reaching for the frame, ready to toss it.

But June clung to the photo like it was priceless. “Throw it away? Are you nuts? This guy is drop-dead gorgeous! Lucie, who IS he?”

June waved him off, not even looking up from the photo. “You guys are just totally different. I’m into the strong, silent type. He’s got that vibe.”

Elio bristled. “What, I’m not strong? Have you seen my abs? My chest? Look at this face—what’s he got that I don’t?”

June shot him a mocking look. “Oh, give it a rest. Real heartthrobs don’t run their mouths like you do. You talk more than the kettle. Where’s the mystery? The depth?”

Elio looked like he might explode. He’d always thought he had Steven beat in every way, but the girl he wanted most had fallen for Steven without a second thought. He just couldn’t accept it.

“Lucie,” he said, turning to her, “be honest. Who’s better looking, me or him?”