Chapter 183
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“Then… shall we go home?”
He tried to embrace her.
“Okay.”
Home.
Her agreement came swiftly.
Of course they had to go home!
All her documents were still there!
A flicker of relief crossed Cedrick’s eyes. He moved to lift her again.
“I need to change.”
She pushed him away, unnervingly calm for someone who’d just brushed with death.
“Lucille… are you really not angry?”
Her calmness felt unreal to him.
“Mhm.”
Lucille replied. “Didn’t you say?
Maricela still has to work. Still has to marry. Her face can’t be ruined.”
“Exactly!
You really get it?”
“Of course I do!”
She understood perfectly.
An either–or choice–Cedrick saved the person he loved most. Why wouldn’t she understand?
But so what if she understood?
Understanding just meant grasping the facts, like knowing her father handed her to bandits to settle gambling debts. Knowing changed nothing.
It didn’t stop her hatred. It didn’t erase the red X she’d mentally drawn over her father’s face.
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11:53
Chapter 183
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Same with Cedrick.
I know why you did it, but sorry–your actions already earned a red X in my book.
Lucille remained completely calm throughout.
She didn’t argue or make a scene, nor did she deliberately ignore him. After simply packing her things from the hotel, she checked out and followed Cedrick home.
Calm as if nothing had happened, detached like a complete stranger.
Cedrick stole several glances at her while waiting at red lights, finding her reaction utterly baffling. He’d braced him- self for lengthy explanations, yet it all just… passed?
When Lucille was taken from home, the door had been left open, takeout bags piled at the entrance. Now everything was tidied up, items brought inside–including two crates of fresh berries. Lucille knew Aydan had brought them.
Without a word, she changed shoes, freshened up, put on loungewear, washed a plate of berries, stored the rest in the fridge, then sat down scrolling through her phone while eating.
Cedrick settled beside her. “You like fresh berries?
Never knew that before.”
He popped one into his mouth. “Really sweet.”
Lucille glanced at him. “Aydan sent these.”
Cedrick: … Can I spit it out now?
Also–not sweet. Not sweet at all.
“Why would he send you berries?”
He’d assumed the takeout bags at the door meant she’d ordered them. Had he known they were from that Hurley guy, he’d have trashed them immediately.
Lucille stared at him incredulously. “My friend sends me food. Why does there have to be a reason?”
“Lucille, he’s a man. I understand men’s minds better than you. Sudden kindness means ulterior motives. A man doesn’t send gifts to a woman without reason—”
As he spoke, Lucille stayed silent, just watching him.
Cedrick trailed off, sensing something amiss. He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Ahem… Lucille, I’m different. Maricela and I… I gave her things because-”
“Ulterior motives?”
Lucille finished his sentence.
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Chapter 183
“No-” Cedrick straightened his expression. “Maricela and I met in college-”
“Aydan and I were college classmates too!”
“Lucille, you’re married. You have a family-”
Lucille tilted her head. “Aren’t you the one I married?
Don’t you have a family?”
Cedrick: …
“Cedrick.”
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Her eyes returned to her phone. “Go attend to your work. This state you’re in… if you negotiate contracts like this, you’ll lose everything.”
Cedrick couldn’t decipher her thoughts, but she truly didn’t seem angry.
“Lucille,” he ventured, “You’re really not upset anymore?”
“Why do I have to be angry? I’m not!”
Lucille wondered how many times she must repeat it. Lately, they’d circled this question of her anger too often.
“I… chose Maricela. You truly don’t care?”
Even he sounded unconvinced saying it.
Lucille shook her head. “Truly don’t care.”