The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 88

“So you came here hoping to see me fall apart, thinking I’d end up as the bitter ex-wife who couldn’t keep her husband? Did you want to watch me regret everything, crying over losing you, wishing I’d never made that choice?”

Elio’s smirk faded in an instant. The cocky light in his eyes disappeared.

Lucie laughed, cold and sharp. “Wow, Elio, you really overthink things. And honestly, you’re just bored.”

She didn’t give him another glance as she strode toward the lounge, her face icy.

She didn’t believe in regrets.

Life threw all kinds of lessons and setbacks your way. Regret and complaining changed nothing. All you could do was accept reality, learn from your mistakes, and move on. Experience, good and bad, was part of the deal. There was no shortcut through the flavours of life.

“Lucie, that’s not what I meant—” Elio called out, hurrying after her. He wanted to say more.

But she was already gone, slipping into the lounge without giving him a chance.

If Steven was a jerk, Elio was ten times worse. Walking away from him back then had been the smartest thing she’d ever done.

A moment later, Lucie reappeared, all business. “Okay, break time’s over. Next, we’ll tour Hall Four. Please follow me.”

The guests put down their teacups, chatting among themselves as they trailed after her.

“This piece,” Lucie said, gesturing to a painted glass sanctuary vase, “is one of the finest surviving examples of 14th-century English ecclesiastical artistry.”

Her voice was steady, her confidence unshaken, as she led them through the exhibit. Dr. Tate listened closely, nodding in approval. He was obviously impressed. Before coming to Elmridge, Mr. Murphy had told him all about her—how she came from a family of antique collectors, and how she was an expert at restoring artifacts. She was exactly the kind of person Dr. Tate needed.

“Ms. Anderson, if you don’t mind me asking,” he said, “did you personally restore any of these pieces?”

But they’d only been official for a month when his birthday rolled around. She’d said she had to fly home, that she couldn’t make it. So he threw a party, invited all their friends, figured he’d just let loose and not think about it.

He never imagined she’d actually show up—hidden inside a giant gift box, ready to surprise him. But right then, showing off in front of his friends, he’d let his mouth run wild, saying things he didn’t mean, just to look cool.

She climbed out of the box, set her gift down, and walked right out. He just stood there, stunned.

By the time he realized what he’d done and started to chase after her, his friends were already laughing and heckling him.

“Uh-oh, Elio is panicking! Better run after your girl!”

“Would you look at that! Even Elio has a soft spot!”