Chapter 14
A crowd came in. Among them, Maricela was the loudest.
“Wow! Ced, the couch, the big window, the dining table, the lamp, the carpet, everything looks fabulous!
“Ced, you still remember the furnishing style we discussed! You used it in your own home. Ced!
“Your house is spacious! Ced, I told you a single–story apartment was terrific, and you thought a villa was better. Now, you know who was right, huh?”
Lucille was shocked again.
At first, she had thought Cedrick bought a single–story apartment so she could easily move around. It turned out she couldn’t be more wrong.
This was the ideal home for him and Maricela.
The single–story apartment, the lamps in a foreign style, the picture window, the bright- colored carpet with diverse patterns, the cloth couch, the dining table in a foreign style…
Everything was Maricela’s favorite.
Maricela was still talking.
“Oh, dear! Ced, you have so many overseas rag dolls in your home!
“Have you collected every edition? How did you do it?”
Harlan cut in, “Ced always remembered you liked them. Every time he or someone else went you.” abroad on a business trip, he’d buy one for
Lucille listened in her room. Holding the door handle, her hand shook. Another conversation rushed back into her head.
“Cedrick, why did you buy so many dolls?”
“You may get bored at home. Although these dolls can’t speak, they can fill the spaces. The house won’t look desolate.”
09:26
Chapter 14
:
258 Nouchers
Lucille smiled bitterly.
Of course.
Cedrick and Lucille had been living here since they got married. But Maricela was never absent. There were three people in this marriage? How could the house be desolate?
The dining room, the living room, the spot by the window…
Every corner was about Maricela. Everything reminded Cedrick of her. She was ubiquitous in this house. How could it be desolate?
Every night, Cedrick lay far away from her on the bed. Was he saving a space for Maricela between them?
Finally, Lucille was fed up. She opened the door.
These people were all nostalgic, talking about Cedrick and Maricela with no scruples. Didn’t they know this house had a mistress? Lucille would show them.
Even though she was divorcing Cedrick, they weren’t divorced yet.
It was too loud when she flung the door open. All heads turned to her.
Maricela had a doll in her hands, loving it too much to put it down. She shook the doll at Lucille and said, “Lucille, how I envy you these dolls. Can I have this one?”
“Certainly,” Lucille replied without hesitation at the door.
Cedrick was glad to hear that. However, Lucille added, “You can have everything in this house. The dolls, the house, and even this man. Take them all. They’re all yours.”
When she said “this man.” she looked at Cedrick.
Cedrick’s expression changed with embarrassment. He hissed, “Lucille!”
Maricela’s eyes reddened instantly. As if terrified, she dropped the doll at once. “Lucille, don’t be mad. That’s not what I mean. I just…..I just… It’s not what you think. You
misunderstand. If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave.”
Covering her face with her hands, Maricela turned around to run toward the door.
How could Cedrick and his friends let her leave like that?
09:26
Chapter 14
Cedrick stopped her. Harlan and the other men stood behind her. They glared at Lucille, as if she had done something unforgivable.
Among those men, Harlan was the angriest. “Ced, it’s not our place for us guys to meddle. But we can’t stand Mari being bullied like this.”
If this weren’t meddling, what was?
They were simply forcing Cedrick to take a side between Maricela and Lucille. But taking Lucille’s side was equivalent to ending his friendship with these men. That was what they implied.
That wasn’t necessary, actually. Harlan was worrying over nothing because Cedrick would definitely choose Maricela over Lucille.
With those men blocking her way, Maricela couldn’t leave. She cried nonstop. Harlan was defending her, but she snapped at him in a choking voice, “Don’t talk nonsense. No one bullied me.”
Holding Cedrick’s arm, she said tearfully, “Ced, I’m fine, really. I came to apologize to Lucille in the first place. I was prepared. I would listen silently, whatever she said. I’m just…sad. I failed to help you and made it worse. Lucille is angrier now. I’m sorry, Ced.”
Care and concern were written all over Cedrick’s face. He turned to Lucille with a frown. “Lucille, did you hear that? Compared with you, Mari is much more sensible!”
Standing right in front of Maricela, Lucille could see the gloat in her face. It was transient, though. When Cedrick looked down at her, the gloat vanished, replaced by a sad, pitiable face.
Lucille was impressed by her acting. She sneered, “You bet. That’s why she’s more suitable to be Mrs. Maynard. I told you I was willing to let her take my title, didn’t I? Why didn’t you sign the divorce papers?”
Cedrick was enraged by her last sentence. He yelled, “Lucille, do you think I’m scared? Don’t you know why I haven’t signed the papers?”
“Ced, no…” Maricela wept. “You’ll make me think my return was a wrong decision. Don’t be mad at Lucille. Don’t divorce her, OK?”
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