The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 277

"...Elio, we're really not right for each other. Plus, I've already been married. You could find someone so much better..."

Elio cut her off, his eyes burning with determination as he leaned in closer. "I just need to know—do you hate me?"

Lucie's gaze darted away. Her voice was barely a whisper. "No, I don’t."

He broke into a relieved smile. "Then that's all I care about. The rest? We’ll figure it out. Lucie, let’s wipe the slate clean. I want to chase after you for real this time. I’ll prove to you I can be a good husband."

Her heart thudded wildly in her chest, emotions tangling up inside her.

"All I’m asking for is a chance. Just one. Can I have that?"

"Elio, are you actually serious right now?"

He raised a hand, solemn as ever. "I swear, if I’m lying, I’m gonna get hit by a car tomorrow."

She hurried to cover his mouth with her hand. "Stop. Don’t say stuff like that."

He chuckled softly. "So... you’re saying yes?"

"I..." Lucie’s mind was spinning. She couldn’t even form a real refusal.

After a moment, Elio took a step back. "We can just try it out. If it doesn’t feel right, we’ll go back to being friends, no hard feelings."

"Let me think it over, okay?"

He nodded. "Alright. One night to decide."

"It’s late, you should go."

"Okay, but you have to give me an answer tomorrow."

Lucie nodded, still feeling torn. "Alright."

"Driver, let’s head out."

"Yes, Miss," the driver replied, hopping in.

Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to the hotel. Elio got out, then circled back and slipped a ring onto her finger, his movements gentle but firm. "Lucie, if you say yes, this is a promise ring. If you say no, then it’s just a Christmas gift."

She tried to take it off. "No, this is way too much. I can’t accept it."

He caught her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. "Just wear it, okay?"

Their eyes locked, and she saw so much hope and vulnerability in his face that it nearly broke her. She relented and let the ring stay.

"Fine. But I’m getting you a gift, too."

"You really don’t have to."

"It’s only fair. I’ll pick something out for you when I get back."

But before anyone could react, her security detail was quickly surrounded and outnumbered, weapons drawn on them.

A chill ran down Lucie’s spine. "We need to go. Now!"

But it was already too late. A black car screeched up, blocking them in, and bright headlights cut through the dark as a Maybach pulled up. A bodyguard rushed to open its door, and from the back seat, a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out.

Even with the glare behind him, Lucie knew exactly who it was—Steven.

"Go! Drive!" she shouted, panic rising.

Glass exploded beside her. A powerful hand reached through the shattered window.

"Steven! What are you doing? Stop—"

The car door was yanked open. Steven leaned in, grabbed her by the collar, and hauled her out like she weighed nothing.

"Let me go! What do you want?" she cried, fighting his grip.

He tossed her over his shoulder and carried her straight to the Maybach, shoving her inside.

"Out," he ordered the driver, who immediately scrambled out of the car.

"Yes, Mr. Heath."