Chapter 199
She teased with a laugh, “Justin’s quite the charmer, isn’t he? Today’s supposed to be about the groom, but the moment Justin got on stage, all eyes were on him instead.”
Lucille said Justin’s name with such easy familiarity that it was clear how well they knew each other.
Edith lowered her gaze and smiled politely, then took the initiative to ask, “Miss Lowell, are you all right? Earlier–was everything okay?”
Lucille offered an embarrassed smile, her voice soft. “I’m fine, really. Sorry if I made a scene before–I can be a bit emotional sometimes. I just hope you’ll understand, and that you and Justin won’t have any misunderstandings because of me.”
Edith let the comment hang in the air, choosing not to reply.
But Lucille couldn’t help herself; she added, “Justin and I–we’re ancient history.”
A slight furrow formed between Edith’s brows. Even if she was naïve, it was obvious what Lucille was implying: there had been something between her and Justin.
Edith had never experienced anything like this, couldn’t guess what Lucille hoped to achieve by saying these things, so she simply smiled, keeping her thoughts to
herself.
Lucille’s gaze never strayed from Justin, but she kept the conversation going with Edith. “Miss Sumner, you’re just as gentle and composed as you look. That’s always been Justin’s type.”
Edith could see exactly what Lucille was getting at.
She fit the mold–Justin had chosen Lucille first, and since then, he’d always gone for
the same kind of woman.
Edith rubbed her temples and glanced over at Lucille’s profile.
Soft, serene, and with a certain coolness beneath the calm.
From the front, they looked alike. From the side, the resemblance was even stronger.
After a long moment, Lucille finally tore her eyes from Justin and turned to look at Edith.
There was a subtle, inexplicable air of superiority in her gaze. “Justin’s moods are always so unpredictable–one day he’ll treat you like you’re the center of his world,
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Chapter 199
the next he won’t even bother to look your way. I always thought he was incapable of real affection, but after meeting you, I realized he’s been loyal all along.”
Edith’s thoughts raced. “Why did you only realize that after meeting me?” She already suspected the answer, but sometimes it was better to let the other person say it aloud. “Is it because I look like you? Do you think he married me because of you?”
Edith’s question hung in the air, but Lucille just laughed softly, a picture of innocence. “I never said that, Miss Sumner.”
Edith’s frown deepened.
Lucille’s words felt like a punch wrapped in velvet–gentle on the surface, but leaving her breathless underneath.
For a moment, Edith didn’t know how to respond.
Justin wrapped up his remarks on stage and stepped aside.
As soon as the speeches were over, Lucille stood, her face arranged in a mask of warmth. “Miss Sumner, I hope my presence hasn’t made you uncomfortable. You’re Justin’s wife now, and I have my own life to live.”
With that, she turned to go.
It was like tossing a stone into a still lake–sending ripples across the surface, then pretending nothing had happened.
Edith reached out and caught Lucille’s hand at just the right moment.
Lucille turned back, clearly surprised that someone as quiet and gentle as Edith would have anything left to say after all that.
“Miss Sumner, is there something else?”
Edith cleared her throat, looked Lucille in the eyes, and smiled. “Miss Lowell, if you truly believed you and Justin were in the past, you wouldn’t keep bringing it up.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.