The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 319

Lucie’s stomach churned, and a fresh wave of dizziness hit her.

“I’m not hungry. Please, just take it away…”

Steven’s eyes darkened, his voice low and rough. “You need to eat if you want your strength back.”

“There’s still the mess with Jose and Nathan. They’re waiting on you.”

His words landed heavy. He was right. No matter what, she couldn’t afford to fall apart. Not until she got those missing artifacts back.

“How’s Jose? Did he pull through?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Steven opened a thermal container and ladled out a bowl of bird’s nest soup for her. “He’s safe for now. Out of danger.”

Lucie let out a slow breath, feeling a little lighter. “Is someone watching him? We can’t let him try anything again.”

“I’ve got nurses and bodyguards with him around the clock. He’s not going anywhere. Not that easily.”

“That’s good…”

Steven went on, “Kun recovered some of the antiques. As for the rest, Nathan will make up the value.”

Lucie frowned. “And Jose? What if he refuses to give them back? There’s nothing we can do.”

A small, sharp smile tugged at Steven’s lips. “Just focus on getting better. Leave everything else to me.”

He picked up a spoonful of soup and held it out for her. “Eat a little, okay?”

Lucie shook her head. “I’m not hungry. Really.”

“Just a few bites. You need the nutrition.”

He paused, his tone softening. “I mean it, Lucie. I want you to get better. I’m not going to force you to have this baby. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect it. I just hope you’ll think it through. It’s a big decision—two lives are at stake.”

Lucie’s chest tightened, her thoughts a tangled mess. She couldn’t trust herself to speak.

Her whole mind felt scrambled. She knew she couldn’t make any rash choices. As much as she resented Steven, she still wanted a child of her own. Someone to carry on her family, someone to love.

“Come on. One bite,” Steven coaxed, holding the spoon steady.

Lucie stared at the pale soup. She had no appetite, but she opened her mouth anyway and let him feed her.

“Good. Another,” Steven said, his voice gentle, almost pleased.

“Alright.”

Steven slipped out without another word.

The second he stepped outside, the softness on his face vanished, turning to ice. He leaned toward the bodyguard at the door, voice just above a whisper. “Keep an eye on this room. No one gets in or out without my say-so. And especially—don’t let Ms. Anderson hear anything from pediatrics.”

“Yes, Mr. Heath,” the guard replied, stone-faced.

Steven strode toward the elevator, tapping out a quick message to his assistant: “Look into whether any of the artifacts Jose stole have made it overseas. Keep a close watch on his foreign accounts.”

He sent the message and pocketed his phone, a cold smile ghosting over his lips.

Jose didn’t want to cooperate? That was fine. Steven had plenty of ways to make people “willing.” He might play games with Lucie, bend the truth, but no one else got to mess with her. Anyone who tried would answer to him.

Right now, Lucie needed peace. She responded to kindness, not force. He’d have to take it slow and win her over.

As the elevator doors slid shut, his eyes glinted with cool confidence.

Back in the hospital room, Lucie leaned back against the headboard, fingers absently brushing her stomach. Her mind kept replaying memories with Steven—his careful pursuit, the serious proposal, the gentle gestures after their wedding. All those moments, she realized now, had been part of a carefully crafted act.