The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 289

Cody curled up next to Lucie, his little body pressed against her as if she were the only thing keeping him anchored. His burning forehead rested on her arm, and his sobs were raw with a child’s desperate need. “Mommy, please look at me… I’ll be good, I promise. I don’t want a new mommy. Please don’t leave me, okay?”

His tiny hands clung to her waist, grabbing hold of her hospital gown like a frightened animal. Lucie forced herself to swallow her grief, every muscle in her body screaming in protest. She kept her eyes shut, too afraid that if she looked at him, all of her resolve would crumble.

She could feel Cody’s feverish warmth through the thin fabric, burning her skin and making her chest ache. This was the same little boy she’d held through so many cold nights, the baby she’d soothed to sleep with lullabies. But now, the closeness felt suffocating. She wanted to run.

Steven stood at the foot of the bed, watching tears slip from the corners of her eyes. His heart twisted painfully. “Lucie, Cody’s just a kid. He doesn’t understand. Please, just open your eyes. He’s sick…”

“Get out.” Lucie’s voice was hoarse and shaky. She pushed Cody away, harder than she meant to.

She couldn’t give him even a drop more of her love.

The word hit Cody like a slap. He flinched and his crying stopped, replaced by a look of pure confusion and hurt. “Mommy… you don’t like me anymore? You really don’t want me?” His voice broke as fresh tears spilled down his cheeks.

Lucie bit her tongue so hard that the taste of blood filled her mouth. She’d always been too softhearted. But not anymore. Not now. She didn’t want anything to do with the Heath family, not ever again.

“Lucie, please. He’s just a kid. He’s so sick—he just wants his mom.” Steven’s voice was almost begging, desperate for her to show Cody a little kindness.

He was scared, too. Scared that all of this would leave scars on their son, scars that would never heal.

“Cody, Mommy’s sick too. You can’t pull on her like that.” Lucie’s voice was barely more than a whisper.

“Oh…” Cody’s voice was softer than before, and he pressed his cheek gently to Lucie’s hand. “Mommy, what’s wrong?” he sniffled, still crying.

Lucie couldn’t look at him. She turned her head away, trying not to break down herself.

“Mommy, please don’t ignore me. I’ll be good, I promise,” Cody sobbed, his little body shaking with the effort. His fever made his breathing ragged, and he coughed, sounding even weaker.

Lucie’s own throat ached, and her vision blurred. Finally, she looked at Steven, her eyes full of tears. “Steven, please take him away.”

Steven stood there, frozen. Then he bent over the bed and wrapped his arms around both of them, his heart breaking. “Lucie, don’t do this. He needs you. Please, just give him a little love. He’s your son too, no matter what.”

The words hit Lucie like a punch to the gut. “Get out!” she screamed, shoving herself up and swinging her hand at Steven’s face.

The slap cracked through the room. Steven didn’t move, just looked at her with those sad, empty eyes.

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