The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 321

Bria felt like her mind had just exploded. Ice rushed through her veins, leaving her numb and breathless.

“She… she’s pregnant again? Is it yours?” Her voice barely made it out.

Steven’s heart clenched. He reached for her hand, guilt heavy in his eyes. “Bria, I’m so sorry. I… I messed up. I was drunk that night. I swear, it just happened…”

Bria let out a cold, bitter laugh. Her gaze was sharp, full of pain and disbelief.

Alcohol. The classic excuse. Men always seemed to think a few drinks could wash away anything—cheating, lying, everything. One “I was drunk” and suddenly the unthinkable was supposed to make sense.

“Bria, I really am sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

She yanked her hand away, her fingers ice-cold. She studied his “regretful” face, and for a moment she almost laughed at how pathetic it all was.

Alcohol? Impulse? Coming from him, those words hurt more than any slap.

So it wasn’t that he couldn’t be a man. He just couldn’t be one with her.

“So what now? Am I supposed to be grateful? Should I thank Lucie for getting pregnant with your kid just in time to save Cody?”

Her voice was soft but razor-sharp.

“Bria, I know nothing I say can fix what I’ve done. Please, just forgive me this once. I promise, it’ll never happen again…”

Tears pooled in Bria’s eyes. She ripped her hand away from him, blinking hard as they started to fall, silently and steadily.

She just stood there, frozen, her tears the only sign she was still alive.

Steven panicked, trying to pull her into his arms. “Bria, I’m sorry. I swear, it was an accident.”

She smiled sadly and pushed him away. “Steven, don’t. Just stop. I get it. I really do.”

“I know you’ve fallen for Ms. Anderson.”

“And honestly? Who could blame you? She’s young, beautiful, and perfect. If I were a man, I’d probably fall for her too.”

Steven’s face twisted with guilt. “Bria, please don’t think that. You’ll always be the one I love most. No one could ever take your place. I could lose everything, but I can’t lose you.”

Bria let out a shaky, self-mocking laugh, tears streaking down her face. “Steven, just stop lying to yourself.”

Maybe he truly did love her, once.

That love was real.

The way it had vanished was real too.

She stumbled back, hitting the edge of the dining table. She let out a small cry of pain but barely seemed to notice.

“Bria, please don’t get so upset. Don’t be mad. Everything I’m saying is true. Sometimes things just get out of control—”

“Enough. Just stop. I’m tired. I’m so tired.” Bria gripped the table, trying to steady herself, her heart feeling empty and heavy.

“If you want her to have the baby, then let her. Do whatever you want. I don’t care anymore. I just can’t.”

She turned away, limping as she tried to leave.

“Bria!”

Steven rushed after her, grabbing for her arm. “Don’t go. Please, give me one last chance. Just trust me this once…”

Bria looked back at him, her eyes empty, all the light gone.

She didn’t want to say another word.

Maybe she should never have woken up.

If she’d just stayed asleep, maybe she could’ve been his perfect memory—the one thing he could never quite get over.