The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 339

“Cody…” Lucie stopped in her tracks, her eyes drifting automatically toward the lawn.

Bathed in sunlight, Cody was out there in his blue hospital gown. Even with his little head shaved, he didn’t look sick at all. In fact, he was grinning ear to ear. “You two, come play soccer with me!” he called, chasing after a colorful ball, his short legs pumping as fast as they could go, laughter ringing out clear as a bell.

The nurse and the maid were scrambling after him, trying to catch up, but Cody darted away from them like a pro. “Cody, please, let’s go back to your room. If Mr. Heath finds out you snuck out, we’re all getting fired!” the maid pleaded.

But Cody just kept running, wild and free. He’d been stuck in the hospital for ages, and now that he finally had some energy back, he wasn’t wasting a second of it.

Lucie’s brow furrowed, a strange mix of shock and suspicion creeping into her chest. How could a kid with leukemia be this full of life?

She was still turning it over in her mind when she heard a thump, followed by a wail. Cody had wiped out on the grass, clutching his knee, tears rolling down his face.

The maid rushed over to help him up, but Cody pushed her away, stubborn as ever. “Don’t touch me! I want Daddy and Grandma!”

Lucie stood frozen, completely thrown off.

“Ms. Anderson, we should go. Your checkup’s about to start,” Ruby reminded her softly.

Lucie hesitated, then made her way over to Cody. “Cody, what are you doing out here?”

The second Cody looked up and saw her, his entire face lit up. His tears stopped on a dime. He scrambled to his feet, totally forgetting about his knee, and ran straight for her, arms wide open. “Mommy! Mommy!”

His voice was sweet and clear, and before Lucie knew it, he’d launched himself into her arms like a little rocket. She stumbled back a step, automatically steadying him with her hands, her whole body suddenly tense.

“You…” she started, ready to correct him, but then she caught the look in Cody’s eyes—so bright, so happy.

“Cody, how did you get out here?” she asked.

Cody hugged her tight, burying his face in her stomach. “Mommy, I missed you so much!”

Lucie’s heart squeezed, sharp and tender all at once. She looked down at the little boy holding onto her like she was his whole world. His breathing was steady, his cheeks rosy, and after all that running and falling, he was still bouncing back like nothing had happened. He didn’t look sick—not even a little bit.

Lucie stood up, grabbed Cody’s hand, and said, “Come on. Mommy’s taking you to the children’s hospital for a full checkup.”

The maid went pale. “Ms. Anderson, Mr. Heath said Cody can’t leave the hospital.”

Suddenly both the nurse and the maid moved to block her, reaching for Cody. “Cody, please, just come back with us. We’ll play games—you love pretending to ride horses, right? We can do that in your room.”

Cody hesitated for a second, but then he hid behind Lucie, shaking his head. “No. I want to go home with Mommy.”

“Ruby, get the car. We’re going to the children’s hospital now,” Lucie said, already scooping Cody into her arms.

She wasn’t leaving this to chance. She needed answers. Was it a misdiagnosis? Or was Steven lying to her again? He always had a way of twisting the truth. If he was lying about this, she was done—she’d end things for good.

“Ms. Anderson, you can’t take Cody!” the maid cried, trying to stop her and calling for security.

Lucie’s patience snapped. “Move. Cody is legally my son, and if his illness was misdiagnosed, I have every right to take him somewhere else for treatment. So step aside—now.”