The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 52

Steven showed up just in time. The second he heard shouting from inside the hospital room, he burst in, heart pounding.

The place was a mess. Shannon was crumpled on the floor, her hair a total disaster and her dress ripped so badly you could see her white lace underwear. She was crying so hard her face was blotchy and her voice was barely more than a desperate, broken plea for help.

“What the hell are you doing?” Steven’s voice cracked through the chaos, sharp and furious.

All three girls froze. Fear flickered in their eyes as they scrambled away from Shannon.

Steven rushed over, gathering Shannon into his arms. “Shannon, are you okay?”

She clung to him, shaking all over, her words tumbling out between sobs. “Steven, they… they all teamed up on me. They hit me.”

Steven’s face darkened as he stared down the three girls, but his eyes landed on Lucie. “Who laid a hand on her?”

The trio went silent, glancing at Lucie without a word.

Lucie slid off the hospital bed, looking icy and bored. “Honestly, it’s a shame we didn’t finish the job.”

Steven’s anger flared. “Lucie, why do you always have to make things so ugly with her? What did she ever do to you? Why can’t you just let her be?”

He could forgive a lot, but seeing the girl he’d always protected, treated like this? That was where he drew the line. He’d always hoped Lucie and Shannon could get along, but if someone hurt Shannon, all bets were off.

Shannon snuggled deeper into his chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Don’t blame Lucie, Steven. She’s just angry at me… jealous, maybe. I get it, really.” She turned to Lucie, her eyes wide and watery. “If it’ll help you feel better, just hit me again. I don’t mind.”

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