Page 14 of King of Rage

“Take care of yourself. I know you’ve got a packed day ahead, but I’m sure you’ll handle everything. Just don’t forget to eat lunch while you’re working. You always forget about everything else when you get caught up in your work.”

Stella smiled against his shoulder before pulling back. She rolled her eyes, though the amusement in her expression gave her away.

“You act like my mother sometimes.”

Shane laughed and briefly rested his hands on her shoulders.

“I’m going in now. I’m already late because you can never get ready quickly enough.”

Stella’s eyebrows shot up.

“It was you who wasn’t ready!” she protested immediately, her voice carrying through the quiet morning. “You take forever, like you’re doing everyone a favor by finally showing up.”

Shane shook his head, looking at her as though her accusation had personally disappointed him.

“I can't believe you're blaming me for this.”

Yet the amusement in his eyes betrayed him.

He gave her shoulders one last squeeze before turning toward the hospital entrance.

Stella watched him go, still wearing a faint smile.

Shane lifted one hand in goodbye without turning around and continued toward the entrance.

Stella remained where she was for a moment, watching him disappear through the glass doors.

Inside the Mercedes, Lucius watched every second of their interaction.

His eyes remained fixed on Stella even after Shane had entered the hospital.

Each moment felt like a knife being driven straight through his chest. He tried desperately to keep his emotions under control, but he was failing miserably. The jealousy burning in his eyes was clear enough to be seen from a distance.

Nial continued speaking as Lucius’s dark gaze remained fixed on Shane’s retreating figure.

“Miss Gibson has resumed working at the home branch of Licius.”

Lucius took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke scraping down his throat as something far more painful twisted through his chest.

Outside, Stella climbed into her car and drove away.

Lucius watched until her vehicle vanished from sight. Only then did he speak.

“Nial, is there any record of Stella getting divorced overseas?” His voice was low. “Anything confirming that she’s officially divorced?”

Nial hesitated before answering.

“No, Mr. Frost. There’s no record of her filing for or obtaining a divorce.”

Lucius’s expression hardened.

Smoke curled from his lips as he lowered the cigarette. Then, with a sharp, frustrated movement, he crushed it between his fingers and tossed it aside.

A harsh breath left him.

Fury raged beneath his skin, fed by the memory of Stella’s words from the previous day.

“Sleeping with me isn’t such a terrible thing, is it? If you’re so damn hurt by what happened, don’t worry. I’ll let you sleep with me once, and then we’ll call it even.”