Chapter 55
Exhaustion etched his features as he leaned back, thumb and forefinger pressing hard between furrowed brows.
Once, she’d been the one to soothe his headaches and massage his shoulders after work.
Sympathizing with his burdens, this “useless” wife had stayed awake nights to knead his temples whenever he slumped into his chair.
Five years of dripping water wears through stone. Though it never softened his heart of stone, it ingrained habits.
Later, when he returned weary, he’d even request, “Lucille, come here and rub them for me.”
Now, with someone he loved to tend to him, he’d never call for her again.
After resting his eyes briefly, he phoned the front desk for fresh clothes.
The garments arrived before the food.
A staff member presented disinfected, sealed bags. “Sir, this one’s for the lady, this for the gentleman–brand new, professionally cleaned.”
“Thanks.”
Cedrick took the clothes and handed a set to Lucille. “Go shower and change out of that gown. Isn’t it uncomfort- able?”
It wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, but wearing formal attire to bed would be unpleasant. Lucille did want to change.
“Do you need help?”
He asked her.
“No!”
Help?
Help her undress or shower?
Either way, thanks but no thanks!
“Mylee isn’t here. Call me if you need anything. Don’t push yourself.”
Only after entering the bathroom did Lucille realize he’d assumed she needed Mylee’s assistance even for showering?
The weather was getting warmer.
She felt summer arrived earlier up north than down south.
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Chapter 55
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After this evening’s events and the tussle with Cedrick, her gown clung to her skin–damp, sticky, and stubbornly dif ficult to remove.
The harder she struggled, the more she sweated, making the fabric cling tighter.
Hearing no water running after a while, Cedrick approached the door. “Lucille?
You alright?”
“I’m fine! Don’t come in!”
She answered hastily.
“Lucille!
Do you need help?”
“No! No!
I said don’t come in!”
Her voice rose with panic.
Her urgency only convinced Cedrick something was wrong. He pushed the door open, finding her wrestling with the
gown.
“Stuck?”
He stepped inside.
“I-”
Before she could protest, his fingers brushed against her zipper.
“Jammed.”
He applied pressure.
Then came silence–no words, no movement.
After a long wait, Lucille grew impatient. “Done yet?
If not, get out. I’ll handle it.”
His hand appeared before her eyes, a zipper pull resting on his palm.
“Questionable quality…” He complained, “I’ll have to rip it.”
A sharp ripping sound followed as the gown tore completely down her back.
Cool air hit Lucille’s skin. She spun around, clutching the torn bodice. “Just go!”
He raised an eyebrow, hesitating.
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Chapter 55
The doorbell rang–room service had arrived.
He left.
288 Youchers
Fresh from the shower, Lucille felt renewed. She towel–dried her hair, wrapped it up, and stepped out in pajamas.
The suite had two bathrooms. Cedrick had also showered and now sat by the window, food and wine arranged on the table before him.
“Lucille.”
He called, “Join me for a bite.”
“Not hungry.”
Trapped here with nothing to do, she planned to scroll through her phone.
“We need to talk.”
He said.
“Skip the nonsense. I know fairy–tale CEOS don’t fall from the sky. I’m not destined to meet one–especially since the one I did meet belongs to someone else.”
He gave her a penetrating look. “Not that.”
Something new?
“Come see the view. The nightscape is stunning.“.
He drained his wine glass.
Lucille checked her phone, surprised by a new email–her school had issued the I–20!
She could schedule her visa appointment again!
She got her student visa!
Lucille was intently reading the email, completely oblivious to Cedrick’s words, until a voice sounded behind her, “Why is this art school emailing you?”