The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 36

Lucie’s heart swelled with gratitude and surprise. “Grandpa, I thought you’d try to stop me. I know you want me to settle down, but I—”

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his voice warm and steady. “You don’t need to say another word, Lucie. I know you must have suffered. The Heaths only treat you like this because they think the Anderson family is weak.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart. I’ll handle everything. Even if you end up divorced, you’ll always be my pride. You’ll always have a home with me.”

Fresh tears welled up and spilled down Lucie’s cheeks. “Thank you, Grandpa.”

No matter what happened, her grandfather was her anchor, her strongest shield.

He smiled kindly. “Good girl. Take a shower and get some sleep. Whatever it is, it can wait until morning.”

“Okay.”

Lucie wiped her tears and slipped away to her bedroom. As long as Grandpa was on her side, she could face anything.

She’d just closed her bedroom door when her phone started to ring.

Unknown number.

She hesitated, then picked up. “Hello?”

Silence.

“Who is this?”

Still nothing. After a few tense seconds, the caller abruptly hung up.

Lucie didn’t have the energy to wonder who it was. She powered off her phone, showered away the day’s bitterness, and crawled into bed.

***

It was already past midnight when Steven returned home.

The house was eerily quiet. When he stepped into the master bedroom, his chest tightened. Every trace of Lucie was gone.

He yanked open the walk-in closet. Empty. Even her socks and toothbrush were missing.

On the vanity, the jewelry from their wedding and every gift he’d ever given her sat in perfect order. She hadn’t taken a single piece.

The only thing she’d left behind was their wedding photo on the wall.

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