I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 201

Antonia Lopez’s face went from pale to ashen, her eyes welling with tears as Steven Lancaster continued his merciless verbal assault.

“Are you still here? Or do you want me to keep going?”

That was the last straw. With a venomous glare in my direction, Antonia burst into tears and ran off to find her mother.

Steven’s cold gaze snapped to me. “How much did Horace Spencer pay for you? Why did you go to him instead of me?”

Again?

I knew it. He only lashed out at Antonia because he was furious about Horace.

Men and their baffling, possessive egos.

I let out a cold scoff. “He just happened to be there, so he paid. Besides, why would I call you? You’re my soon-to-be ex-husband.”

“You want to divorce me when you’re this broke? How do you expect to survive without me?” he shot back, his irritation growing. He bit out the next word. “How much.”

I paused for a moment, narrowing my eyes before decisively holding up five fingers. “Five thousand.”

For a split second, I had debated whether to tell the truth or inflate the price. I chose to multiply it by ten. Steven wasn't short on cash, but I was. Swindling my soon-to-be ex-husband didn't trouble my conscience in the slightest.

“Five thousand?” Steven’s eyes widened before he let out a bitter laugh. “Zephyra Jones, you can’t even afford five thousand? What the hell does Myron Taylor pay you, three grand a month?”

I puffed out my cheeks, biting back a retort. He looked like he was about to pay it for me, so I decided not to push my luck.

To my utter shock, Steven transferred twenty thousand directly into my account. I accepted it without hesitation, though a wave of regret washed over me.

Damn it, I should have asked for more.

I should have said Horace paid a million. Given Steven’s temper, he would have insisted on paying Horace back a million, and then I’d have a nice nest egg even if I left the marriage with nothing.

He still looked furious, his handsome face a dark mask. “Did he hug you, or did you hug him?” his voice was low and cold, simmering with a tightly coiled rage.

I watched him, baffled, as he downed one drink after another, but I remained silent.

My father, on the other hand, was terrified. “Mr. Lancaster, that’s enough! You’ll get drunk at this rate,” he urged, then turned to me. “Zephyra, aren’t you going to say something?”

I took a bite of my chicken wing and answered nonchalantly, “If he wants to drink, let him. He’s a grown man, isn’t he? He can make his own decisions.”

My father stared at me, astonished. “But you used to be the first one to stop him.”

I took a sip of my soda. “That was then. This is now. Who lives in the past?”

Steven’s jaw tightened, the line of his handsome profile growing colder.

As my father frowned in confusion, Janice chimed in with a laugh. “Today is a happy occasion! Mr. Lancaster is showing you respect by having a few extra drinks. There’s no need to stop him. Let him enjoy himself. If he gets too drunk, he can just stay the night here instead of driving back to the villa.”

The light bulb went on for my father. He chuckled, “You’re right, of course. Let the man drink!”