I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 561

Now that I've decided to move against Steven, there's no turning back. If I'm going to be ruthless, I have to see it through.

If Steven found out what I was really doing, he wouldn't go easy on me just because of some suggestive photos.

I kept my face perfectly calm. "You can refuse. If you won't seduce him, I'm sure another woman will be more than willing."

With that, I turned to leave. Antonia gritted her teeth. "Wait! I'll do it. I like Stev!"

I turned back to look at her.

Her delicate face was flushed, her eyes a stubborn, hopeful mix of longing and determination.

I'd assumed Antonia was just after Steven's money, but it seemed she was actually looking for a fairytale romance.

"I should warn you, this is risky, but the payoff is high. And let me be clear: if you fail to seduce him, you cannot expose my involvement. If you do, I'll be punished, but you will meet a much uglier end."

Antonia clenched her fists. "Don't worry, failure is not an option. I will win Stev over! I'm not like you. My feelings for him are genuine, not like you, who still has Horace in her heart while trampling on Steven's sincerity! He'll be moved by my devotion!"

I watched her, a hint of regret creeping in as I took in her reckless bravado.

She was starting to look like dead weight.

Still, it wasn't like I had other women lining up to help. I'd have to make do.

...

I brought Antonia back to the villa for a couple of days under the guise of having her atone for her past actions, but my real goal was to create opportunities for her to get close to Steven.

When I told him, Steven just stared at me for a long moment, but he didn't object.

On the drive back, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep, giving Antonia plenty of room to work her magic.

After all, settling old scores was his specialty.

But Steven's dark, deep eyes were fixed on my face, his gaze landing on the bandage on my forehead.

"I'm sorry. I was wrong."

"I'm sorry, I was wrong." Those words were practically nonexistent in Steven's vocabulary.

I was stunned, my brow furrowing before I managed a smile.

He was probably apologizing on behalf of Mrs. Lancaster, regretting his impulsive decision to cut ties with his mother at the hospital. He likely wanted my forgiveness so he could go make up with her.

"It's fine. Your mother is her own person, and so are you. You don't have to apologize to me for her mistakes. And you two shouldn't fall out over something so minor. It makes me feel awkward."

"Zephyra, I'm not just sorry about today. I'm sorry about the past, too," he said, staring at me. A lump seemed to form in his throat, thick with regret. "When we were married, you took such good care of my parents and mentored my brother. You were so good to them, yet my family never treated you well, and I never once stood up for you..."