Chapter 7
288 Wouchers
And the desire grew even fiercer when she laid eyes on him again.
Her silence convinced him that she was still mad. He sighed and said, “Lucille, aren’t you so reasonable? How come this time you didn’t come home?”
Lucille swore she didn’t want to blow a fuse, but after he said that, even a saint would struggle to stay calm.
“So, was what happened yesterday my fault? I’m not reasonable? I should’ve given Harlan a pat on his back for doing such a perfect impression of me?” she snapped.
Cedrick looked embarrassed. “I didn’t mean it like that. You can’t control what others say about you. Don’t take it personally.”
“You could’ve at least defended me!” she glared at him and bellowed. “But instead, you held Maricela and laughed at me together.”
“Lucille!” His face blazed with rage.
It made sense.
The name “Maricela” was his Achilles‘ heel.
What could she possibly say?
She clutched her bag, passed him, and walked ahead.
But he extended his arm and held her by her waist.
“I’m sorry, Lucille. I shouldn’t have yelled,” he said softly. “I just don’t want you to get the wrong idea. Maricela and I are just friends. I treat her like one of my bros. She’s not married. What you
said could discredit her.”
Lucille was confused. Weren’t they the ones who crossed the line? How shouldn’t she call Maricela out for what she did?
Lucille replied, “I see.”
“Lucille.” He sensed her indifference. “Why are you still mad? You went to stay at a hotel
09:25
Chapter 7
alone and didn’t come home. I haven’t said anything to you. Why won’t you let it gor
Yes. It was all her fault.
“Lucille, calm down. Let’s grab a lunch together, then I’ll shop with you.”
Lucille agreed. After all, she had something to say to him.
Cedrick brought her to a nearby restaurant.
As she entered the restaurant and met the waiter’s eyes, out of habit, she dipped her head, raised her collar, and inched behind Cedrick, trying to make her limp less noticeable
But then, a sense of relief settled in her.
If she wasn’t good for him, so be it. She wasn’t planning to be with him anyway.
They sat down.
Cedrick ordered food.
When the dishes were served, Cedrick passed her the fork and said in his usual gentle voice. “Lucille, dig in. They are all your favorite dishes.”
Lucille glanced at the dishes, only to find they were all spicy.
She flashed a bitter smile.
He had no idea that she couldn’t handle spicy food. Every dinner at home was spicy because he liked it.
“Cedrick, I’m not hungry.” She didn’t pick up the fork. “I have something to tell you.”
“What?” A smile tugged at his lips. “I’ll go anywhere you want. I have all day to myself. We can have some fun in the afternoon and have dinner at my parents‘ place.”
She gazed at his faint smile. Thinking of those words she was about to say, a wave of bittersweet emotions welled inside her.
“Cedrick…” She choked up.
“What’s wrong, Lucille?” he held her hand and asked. “If you want to cry, then cry. Don’t hold it back.”
His voice was so warm and gentle.
09:25
Chapter 7
Just like back then, when she was wheeled from the operating room to her room by him and the nurse, he stayed by her bedside and spoke in a voice soaked with tenderness. “Lucille. does it hurt? If it does, just cry. Don’t hold it back.”
She thought he was the cure for her pain. Sadly, it took her years to realize his care and warmth could never blossom into love.
“Cedrick, let’s get a divorce,” she murmured, pulling back her hand. The pain slowly clouded
her eyes.
He frowned, caught off guard by what she just said.
Silence hung between them. Then he had the waiter fetch a clean plate, picked a fish fillet. removed the bone, and said gently, “Lucille, I know you’re still mad. But bringing up a divorce isn’t wise. How will you live alone?”
Lucille’s breath quickened.
Over the past five years, everyone saw her as nothing more than his appendage. Without him, he was a lonely and wretched girl who couldn’t survive on her own.
21
Even he thought the same.
“I can do it!” For the first time, she stood up for herself in front of him to claim a shred of dignity.
He smiled, assuming she was throwing a little tantrum. He put the fish into her plate and urged, “Eat. But after this meal, no more sulking.”
“I’m not sulking. I want a divorce!” How could she make Cedrick understand this wasn’t a spur–of–the–moment decision?
“Lucille.” He put down the fork and stared at her. “Enough. I canceled two business meetings and a negotiation to spend time with you. I may not have such time to spare in the next two days. I’ll say it again. Maricela is just a friend of mine, like Harlan and the rest. She likes you and wants to be your friend. But with your attitude, how am I supposed to let you two meet?”
“Then don’t.” She didn’t think Maricela would want to be her friend at all.
“Lucille!” he fumed.