The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 263

He sucked in a breath and turned to go.

The door swung open with a click.

Lucie’s voice came from inside, half teasing, half annoyed. “Stop it, I can walk. You don’t have to carry me everywhere…”

Elio just bent down and scooped her up. “I’m worried you’ll fall. It’s safer if I hold you,” he said, refusing to let go.

Lucie tried wriggling out of his arms. “Seriously, I’m fine. I’m not some fragile little doll. Put me down.”

But Elio had already picked her up bridal style, his tone playful and warm. “Get used to it. From now on, I’m your personal chauffeur. Wherever you want to go, I’ll take you there myself.”

He spun her around, making her squeal. “Hey! Stop—” Lucie clung to his neck, dizzy from the sudden movement.

When he stopped, the world kept spinning. Her head dropped onto his shoulder. “Don’t spin me around, I’m getting dizzy!”

“Alright, alright,” Elio said with a little bounce, making her laugh despite herself.

She looked up just as he glanced down. Their lips brushed in an unplanned kiss.

Startled, Lucie jerked away, cheeks flushed. “Elio, stop messing around.”

Elio grinned, his eyes sparkling. “I swear, that was an accident. But… maybe we should try it again?”

He leaned in, pretending he was about to kiss her a second time.

“Elio! If you keep this up, I’ll get mad.”

“Okay, okay. No more teasing. Let’s go—I’m taking you out for dinner.”

Across the hallway, Steven stood frozen, watching the scene unfold. His face darkened, anger boiling over in his chest.

He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles cracked.

“Lucie—” he started, voice trembling with rage.

Just then, Elio carried Lucie right up to him. Their eyes met. The tension in the air was icy.

Steven glared at them, his expression wild. “How dare you?”

It had only been two months since the divorce. In his mind, she was still his.

Lucie raised an eyebrow, her stare cold and sharp.

Steven’s face twisted in fury. “Get down,” he demanded. “How could you be in another man’s arms?” He shot Elio a venomous look. “Let her go. Now.”

Lucie and Elio finally broke apart after a long kiss.

“Steven, you never loved me,” Lucie said quietly but firmly. “I never loved you, either. I’ve always loved Elio. I only married you to make him jealous.

“You lied to me, I lied to you. We’re even. From now on, you live your life, I’ll live mine. Let’s just move on.”

Steven’s face went from green to blue as he listened. He didn’t believe a word of it. How could she not love him? He’d lied to her, but there was no way she’d faked everything too.

“I don’t believe you!” he shouted.

Lucie just looked at him, her voice icy. “Believe whatever you want. You’ve got your soulmate, and I have mine. The only person I ever truly loved is Elio.”

She turned away, her whole demeanor softening as she looked at Elio. “Let’s go, Elio.”

Elio beamed. “Anything you say, babe.” He shot Steven a sideways grin. “Step aside, ex-husband. Don’t block the way.”

Steven’s head spun. He’d never felt this angry—so out of control. He staggered backward, reaching for the handrail behind him.

But he missed. He was too tall, and his hand found nothing but air.

With a loud crash, Steven lost his balance and tumbled down the stairs, rolling all the way to the bottom, where he finally slammed into a trash can.