The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 259

The humiliation hit Lucie like a punch. Without thinking, she lunged at Steven and slapped him across the face. The crack of her palm echoed in the air.

“You asshole!” she shouted, her whole body trembling with rage. “Shut up! Just shut up!”

Steven just grinned, slow and wicked, licking the blood from his lip like he didn’t feel a thing. “Did I say something that wasn’t true? You’re the one who always needed five or six rounds before you were satisfied. Think some other guy’s going to keep up with you?”

Lucie’s hands shook with fury. She went to hit him again. “Shut your mouth! Stop spouting your disgusting lies!” Her voice broke as she glared at him. “What did I ever do to you to deserve this?”

Steven grabbed her wrist, his grip iron-tight. His eyes were wild, jealousy burning behind them. “What, I can’t give your new boyfriend some advice? As your ex-husband, I just want you to be happy. Is that so wrong?”

His voice dripped with sarcasm. Steven had always been cold and arrogant, always in control. But right now, he was unraveling, and he didn’t even try to hide it.

Lucie’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re disgusting, Steven. I never want to see you again.”

He leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. “Funny. That’s not what you were saying last night. Last night you were all over me, swearing you loved me and you couldn’t live without me. What happened, Lucie? Found someone else already?”

He was such a hypocrite. He couldn’t stay away from Bria, couldn’t give Lucie his whole heart, but he still wanted her to love him unconditionally, like she did before the divorce. He wanted her to love him so much she’d forgive everything—even other women.

“Let go of me,” Lucie spat, yanking at her wrist. “I’d never love you. You make me sick.”

Her words landed like a blow. Steven’s eyes darkened, pain flickering across his face, but he only squeezed her harder. For a second, he almost seemed desperate, as if he wanted her to throw herself into his arms and say she still loved him, that she couldn’t walk away. But all he saw was hatred.

Elio finally snapped out of his shock and stormed forward. “Let her go, Steven.” He didn’t wait for an answer—he just punched Steven hard in the jaw.

Steven staggered, but wouldn’t let go.

“I said let her go!” Elio shouted, and punched him again, and again.

Blood dripped from Steven’s split lip, but he didn’t fight back. He just stared at Lucie, broken and hollow, refusing to believe she was really done with him.

“You’re just letting him get to you. You don’t have to take it,” Elio protested.

Lucie closed her eyes, her head spinning. “Please, just stop. I feel awful.” Her legs buckled and she nearly collapsed.

Elio rushed over, catching her before she fell. “Lie down. I’ll get the doctor.”

“Okay,” she whispered, barely holding on.

A few minutes later, the doctor came in and gave her a shot, hooked up an IV. Lucie’s eyes fluttered shut, and soon she was fast asleep.

Elio sat by her bed, watching her, heart aching. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“It’s okay, Lucie. I promise, I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”