The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 208

“Okay.”

Steven didn’t say anything more. He just leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“I’m heading out now.”

“Drive safe.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll call you when I get home.”

“Bye.”

***

About half an hour later, Steven pulled up to the Heath family’s old house. Miranda, Marian, and Shannon were already at the dinner table waiting for him.

“Steven, you’re finally home,” Miranda said, her scowl dark as thunder. “If I hadn’t called, were you planning to just stay out all night?”

She’d broken her leg and spent a week in the hospital. Now she was back home, stuck in recovery and clearly not in a good mood.

Marian, ever the peacemaker, tried to calm her down. “Ma’am, he just got back. Let’s not scold him.”

Shannon chimed in too, trying to lighten things up. “Yeah. Steven’s just been really busy lately. Let’s just enjoy dinner together for once and talk about something nice.”

Miranda bit her tongue, but she was furious. Her son had divorced his beautiful, smart, and elegant wife, then decided to marry an older woman with a limp and a questionable background. Miranda just couldn’t accept it.

“Mum, I’m heading to Westbrook for business the day after tomorrow,” Steven announced, changing the subject. “I’ll be gone about a week. Can you please keep an eye on Cody while I’m away?”

Miranda’s eyes narrowed. “Another big meeting?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you going by yourself, or is she going with you?”

“I’ve got it handled, Mum. Don’t worry about it,” Steven said, trying to keep his patience.

Miranda pressed on, her voice sharp. “Is she going with you?”

Steven’s jaw tightened. “Mum, just focus on getting better. Let me handle my own stuff.”

Shannon’s face lit up. “Thanks, Steven! I promise I won’t get in your way.”

“I’m done eating. You take your time,” Steven said, pushing back his chair and leaving the table.

“Steven, you barely touched your food! Where are you going?” Miranda called after him.

He didn’t answer, just walked out the door, got in his car, and started driving with no real destination. Home at Rose Manor was too suffocating. The family house was just as bad. And Moonlight Bay—every time he walked into that empty place, memories of living with Lucie hit him like a wave. The rest of his places were rented out or felt even lonelier.

With nowhere else to go, he headed to his entertainment complex. He always kept a presidential suite there for nights like this.

Twenty minutes later, he arrived at the hotel. Staff along the way greeted him with polite nods. “Good evening, Mr. Heath.”

Steven barely noticed, just made his way straight to the elevator. As soon as the doors opened on his floor, he pulled out his phone without thinking.

He opened his messages—and saw that Lucie had unblocked him.

She’d even sent him a cute emoji.

A warm rush swept through him. He couldn’t help the little spark of excitement that bubbled up inside.