Chapter 123
Emma was returning from her business trip and wanted to meet for dinner.
Lucille began texting her.
They’d shared desks for several semesters in middle school, remaining close through college. Even after Lucille married Cedrick, Emma had reached out a few times, though Lucille always declined invitations.
Emma’s message probed: Why did you slowly disappear back then?
And cut ties with classmates?
Was Cedrick really that controlling?
Lucille replied: Of course not.
Few high school classmates knew about Lucille’s limp–she hadn’t invited them to her wedding, nor seen them since. Most only “heard” she’d married.
Before meeting Emma, she decided to mention her limited mobility to avoid startling her, though she omitted the cause.
Emma instinctively asked: What happened?
Lucille sidestepped the question. Emma seemed to sense her reluctance and didn’t press further, simply confirming dinner plans before they exchanged goodnights.
After closing the chat, Lucille pondered Emma’s question: What happened?
Emotions surged anew. Impulsively, she reopened her phone and posted on Instagram:
Five years ago, I rescued a dog.
Just posted, Emma immediately commented under her Instagram post: “So it was because you saved the dog that…”
Before Lucille could reply or even figure out how to respond, Emma sent a screenshot of her Instagram: “Because of this?”
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Chapter 123
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Yes.
Lucille replied.
Emma: “Can we voice chat?”
Lucille took the initiative to call.
It was the first time she’d heard Emma’s voice in five years. When “Lucille” sounded from the other end, a strange, long–lost emotion washed over her. “It’s me. I’m fine, really. It’s all in the past.”
Just as she finished speaking, movement came from behind. Cedrick emerged from the bathroom and settled into bed.
“Lucille, I don’t know how to say this…”
Emma’s words hung half–finished when Cedrick abruptly pressed against her back, wrapping an arm around her waist. He murmured, “Mrs. Maynard…”
Do You Want to Become the Real Mrs. Maynard?
A low, indistinct murmur rumbled in his throat, inexplicably laced with intimacy.
Emma heard it over the phone and immediately said, “Is that Cedrick?
Never mind, I won’t disturb you two. Let’s meet tomorrow evening, bye!”
The call ended abruptly, as if terrified of interrupting her “time” with Cedrick.
“Who’s meeting you tomorrow?”
Cedrick had caught Emma’s words too, spotting the WhatsApp contact “Emma” on Lucille’s screen. “Emma?”
“Mm.”
She set her phone down.
“You’re in touch with Emma?
Meeting tomorrow night?”
“Mm.”
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Chapter 123
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He nodded. “Good, Spend more time with old friends. Don’t coop yourself up at home.”
Hmph!
You never used to say that!
You never said that in front of our classmates either!
Weren’t you afraid your crippled wife would embarrass you?
Oh, now you’re not–because you’ve got your precious “Maricela ” by your side, right?
Cedrick pressed closer, his skin carrying the peach–scented foam from her shower, still mingling with alcohol. “Mrs. Maynard, have you considered becoming the real Mrs. Maynard?”
The words left Lucille briefly stunned. But when his hand slid into her nightgown, she understood instantly. Shoving his head off her shoulder, she snapped, “Sober up!”
Cedrick withdrew. No words. No further moves.
Much later, as Lucille drifted toward sleep, someone shook her awake. “Show me! What did you post?
What’s this supposed to mean?”
Bleary–eyed, Lucille turned to see a screenshot of her Instagram post on Cedrick’s phone: Rescued a dog five years ago.
But when he showed her, his thumb accidentally tapped the screen. The screenshot shrank, revealing his WhatsApp group chat instead.
One glance showed her plenty.
It was Cedrick’s group with Harlan and others, titled “Through Thick and Thin.”
Harlan had sent the screenshot, tagging Cedrick: See what
your wife says
about
you.