The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 63

“What happened?”

“Doctor, does he need stitches?”

The doctor glanced at the wound, frowning. “This is deep. He’ll definitely need stitches. Prep the anesthetic.”

Lucie’s stomach flipped just looking at it.

“It hurts, babe,” Steven said, his voice low and rough.

“…It won’t hurt once they numb it.”

A moment later, the doctor injected the anesthetic and carefully disinfected the cut.

“Mr. Heath, I’m going to start stitching now.”

“Alright.” Steven’s reply was cool and clipped. He reached out with his good hand and tugged Lucie closer.

“Stay with me, honey. It hurts,” he said, almost childishly.

Lucie couldn’t even look, much less think of anything comforting to say.

Minutes ticked by.

The doctor finished, dabbed some medicine on, and wrapped Steven’s hand. “All set. Come back in two weeks to get the stitches out. And don’t get it wet for at least a week.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

Lucie let out a sigh, half exasperated, half resigned. “Let’s go.”

“I’m in this state and you’re not even going to take me home?” Steven complained.

Lucie frowned. “I’ll call the driver to pick you up.”

“No way. I want you to come home with me.”

“Steven, we’re… we’re in the middle of a divorce.”

Lucie just stared at him, frozen.

“I hate cheaters. You know what I do when I catch someone cheating at my tables? I have their hands cut off.”

He spun the wheel hard. Lucie tumbled against him, and he leaned in, laughing quietly near her ear. “Now you’re trying to run from me. What do you think I should do with you?”

She couldn’t breathe.

Steven smiled, but there was nothing gentle about it. “If you try to run again, I’ll break your legs.”

A chill ran down her spine. She pressed herself into the door, desperate to put space between them.

“Scared?”

He softened his tone, almost playful again. “Come on, babe, I’m just joking. I’d never really hurt you. I just want you to listen. I want things to go back to how they were.”

Lucie stayed silent, a cold fear settling in her chest. She had to get away from him. He was terrifying. Only now did she realize she didn’t know him at all.