Chapter 191
288 (Vouchers
“Then let’s go to Highland State.”
She tossed out a random location–anywhere far from Capital City would do.
“Fine. Book the hotel and buy the tickets.”
Cedrick leaned against the pillow, picking up his phone. “By the way, your dad’s situation isn’t simple. We don’t know if he’ll get dragged in. If things go south later, should we provide guarantees for him?”
“No need.”
Lucille answered quickly. She was leaving soon; her father’s mess wasn’t her concern. “I told you–he handles his own consequences.”
“Hmm…” Cedrick fell silent, fiddling with his phone like he was texting someone.
Lucille couldn’t care less who he was messaging now. She turned over, facing away from him, ready to sleep.
Just as she was drifting off, Cedrick shook her awake. “Alright. Maricela agreed. I’m coming with you.”
Lucille blinked once, then went back to sleep.
Who does he think he is? Some hot commodity?
Waking up again marked the second–to–last day before departure. The day after tomorrow, she and Grandma would leave.
Morning brought another video call with Grandma and a chat with Vivian. Since Cedrick started his holiday tomor- row, she had to clear out all the clothes today. No way was she dealing with his complaints while he lazed around at home.
No eBay auctions this time. She called Amazon’s used–clothing pickup service, bagged everything, and had it hauled
away.
Then she sat down, thinking: What now?
Cedrick’s holiday started tomorrow, but her flight to Capital City wasn’t until the day after. Maybe she should leave early instead. Change to tomorrow’s morning flight. She could stay at Grandma’s hotel tonight, telling Cedrick she’d gone to fetch Grandma but got held up by her friend. Then head straight to the airport tomorrow and have Cedrick meet them there.
Decision made, she bought Cedrick’s ticket, changed her own flight, and asked Vivian to rebook Grandma’s too.
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11:54
Chapter 191
The moment the changes finalized, Cedrick’s call lit up her screen.
May Your Path Be Strewn with Flowers, Radiant with Happiness
288 Wouchers
She answered. Cedrick seemed to be in a meeting; background voices murmured, but his footsteps suggested he was stepping away. “Lucille, got your flight details. Flying to Metropolitan City tomorrow noon?”
“Yes. We’ll stay overnight there, then rent a car.”
She spoke with rehearsed calm, as if every detail were settled.
“Alright.”
He agreed. “Unblock my number. Can’t even transfer funds to you now.”
“Oh. Fine.”
Only then did Lucille remember he could only call or text.
Someone passed by and teased, “Who dares block Mr. Maynard?”
Cedrick’s chuckle carried through the line. “Don’t mind us, Angela Smith. Accidentally upset my wife.”
This Angela–a stranger to Lucille–roared with laughter. “Should’ve known! Only your lady can leave you speech- less.”
“Lucille, let’s talk later. Client’s here.”
Cedrick ended the call.
Lucille turned her attention to packing.
She aimed for minimal luggage–less to draw attention. Everything else could be bought in Capital City.
A single bag would suffice.
Next came drafting divorce papers and Cedrick’s letter.
The paperwork was straightforward. With eight–figure savings, she wanted nothing more from him.
Five properties in Seaston bore her name, including their current home. She’d keep four. This house–its passcode set
to Maricela’s birthday, every corner reflecting Maricela’s taste–felt tainted after five years. Let him have it.
Company shares? She’d cash out. The business was his. Clean breaks demanded total separation.
Nothing else remained.
The letter took deliberation. What tone to strike?
Bitter accusations?
A bullet–pointed list of sins?
11:54
Chapter 191
She abandoned both.
Each venomous word would only reopen wounds. Unfair as it felt, she chose self–liberation over vengeance.
In the end, three lines sufficed:
> Cedrick,
> Five years married. No love lingers; no hatred remains.