Chapter 4
“What-what?” Madison stared at her, stunned.
Lucie’s gaze was steady, her tone unwavering. “Madison, start packing up over the next few days. We might be moving out soon p>
“Ma’am, divorce is no small thing! It’s not something to rush into. Please talk to your grandfather first. Ask him to speak with old Mr. Heath. Maybe he can help keep Mr. Heath away from Ms. Rivas p>
Lucie paused, her expression calm and resolute. “Grandpa will respect my decision p>
She’d lost her parents young. The grief had forced her to grow up fast, sharpened her independence, carved determination and restraint deep into her bones.
After a long, sleepless night, she was certain: She had to let go of this marriage. She couldn’t accept betrayal-not even a shadow of it.
If his heart belonged elsewhere, then she would set him free. Let him pursue his first love. She refused to cling to a man who didn’t love her wholly.
“But what about Cody?” Madison’s voice trembled with worry.
Lucie exhaled, her breath shaky. “I’ll do everything I can to win custody of Cody p>
She didn’t get to finish.
Thundering footsteps pounded down the stairs. Cody barreled toward them, fury blazing in his eyes, like a tiny charging bull.
“I know it’s you! Did you make Aunt Shannon leave?” he shouted.
Before Lucie could react, Cody rammed straight into her stomach, his little head hitting her hard.
“Ah-!” The blow knocked the air from her lungs; she doubled over, gasping.
He was only three, but built sturdier than most kids his age. His physique was more like a five-year-old’s.
And he didn’t stop at one attack. Wailing, Cody pummeled her with his small fists and kicked at her legs. “You’re so mean! Why did you send Aunt Shannon away? Want Aunt Shannon want Aunt Shannon! No p>
A sharp ache twisted through Lucie’s chest. Cold dread pooled in her stomach.
All this time, she’d believed Cody kept his distance because she worked too much, because she hadn’t been there enough for him.
She’d never imagined he could hate her this much.
Madison hurried to intervene, voice panicked. “You can’t hit your mommy! She didn’t make Aunt Shannon leave. Shannon got sick and had to go to the hospital p>
“I don’t believe you! She’s lying!” Cody screamed, pointing at Lucie. “She made Aunt Shannon go away! I don’t want you to be my mommy! I want Aunt Shannon!” Lucie drew a slow, trembling breath. Forcing her voice gentle, she crouched down to his level. “Cody, you can’t hit Mommy. And you can’t be so rude p>
Before she could finish, Cody spat at her.
A splatter of saliva hit her cheek and dripped down.
“You’re a bad woman! You smell like dead people! You don’t smell nice like Aunt Shannon!” Cody sobbed, fists clenched. “I don’t want you to be my mommy! I want Aunt Shannon want her p>
Lucie stared at her son, numb with disbelief.
She was an antiquities conservator.
Beyond managing her family’s sprawling chain of galleries and antique businesses, she was also the youngest expert working with the New Amberton Bureau of Cultural Heritage.
Most conservators specialized in
just one or two types of artifacts.
But Lucie, raised in an antique family, had been obsessed
with the
field since childhood. She’d poured herself into study and practice, mastering everything from jewels to
ancient scrolls and paintings.