The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 26

Lucie stretched for the file, her whole body tense with frustration. “Let me see it. Now!”

Steven held it just out of reach. “First, tell me—what exactly are you suspicious of?”

“Stop dragging this out! Just give it to me. I’m starting to think Cody isn’t even my child.”

Steven’s jaw tightened. “And if that’s true?”

“I don’t care what it says—just hand it over!”

He met her eyes, voice low and steady. “Lucie, if Cody ever learns you doubted he was your son, it could really mess him up.”

That only fueled her suspicion. “Steven, you’re acting so strange. Why are you so afraid to show me? What are you hiding?”

Steven hesitated, searching her face. “If he’s not your son…what will you do?”

A cold weight pressed against Lucie’s chest. She stared at him, stunned.

She’d carried that baby for nine long months, felt every kick and flutter.

If Cody wasn’t her son, it meant someone had switched her child.

Or... No, she couldn’t even finish the thought.

“Stop stalling and give it to me!” Lucie lunged again, her patience snapping.

Steven pulled the report back, stubborn. “Not until you answer me.”

“Steven, my patience is running out. Don’t push me.”

Her voice shook with anger. If he kept this up, she’d order another test herself.

Steven sighed, relenting. He thrust the file into her hands. “Fine. Take it.”

Lucie snatched it and flipped straight to the last page.

Maternity Test Results:

Conclusion: DNA analysis indicates a 99% probability of biological mother and son.

She stared at the verdict, her brows knitting tight. Her mind whirled with confusion.

His steady calm made her doubt herself. Her mind tumbled with guilt and confusion.

Maybe she really had been overthinking it.

“...I’m sorry,” she said softly.

Steven heard the change in her voice and immediately gentled his tone. “I get it, Lucie. Cody keeps his distance, and it makes you worry.

“But that’s just because you haven’t spent enough time with him. If you’re around more, he’ll come to you.”

He lifted another envelope—a legal notice. “I got the divorce papers from your lawyer. But I’m not agreeing to a divorce.”

With a swift, decisive motion, Steven tore the document to shreds.

He’d never wanted to leave her.

Lucie was everything he wanted.

Before they met, he’d dreaded the idea of an arranged marriage. But from the moment he saw her, he knew—she was meant to be his.