Chapter 144
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Lucille fretted that her passport might still be on the table.
Grandma emerged smiling, “No need, we’ve plenty here.”
“Alright then.”
Cedrick pulled Lucille closer, glancing down triumphantly–daring her to fuss before Grandma.
Lucille pressed her lips tight.
Do what you will. It won’t last.
Inside, Lucille scanned the table first. Relief washed over her–the passport was gone.
“You relax, I’ll slice watermelon.”
Grandma waved them toward seats.
“Grandma, I’ll handle it.”
Cedrick released Lucille, striding to the kitchen. “Where’s the watermelon?
Ah, got it.”
Summer nights with chilled watermelon–pure bliss.
Sunset painted the sky, cool breezes whispered, yard lights flickered like fireflies dancing through blossoms.
Grandma set a table outdoors, sliced watermelon. Cedrick brewed hypocrisy, laid out two nut plates, then tugged Lu- cille outside to chat in the evening cool.
Cedrick sank into the wicker chair, sighing contentedly. “Summer nights are magic. Back on school breaks, I’d sit right here with Grandma, watermelon in hand.”
Grandma lifted a hand fan, swaying it gently.
Cedrick added, “Grandma, still warm?
My grandma did this too–always fanning with that big round hand fan while cooling off.”
Grandma’s hand fan was frayed at the edges. Few used these now.
“Well, it’s not just for breeze,”
Grandma chuckled. “Keeps mosquitoes off too.”
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“Oh! That’s why you aim low!”
Cedrick laughed softly, then his gaze drifted, thoughts wandering.
Silence blanketed the yard.
“Grandma.”
Cedrick’s voice cut through. “Once work cases up, let’s take a trip–just us three.
Where to, Grandma?
Grasslands or seaside?
Or somewhere overseas?”
Grandma hesitated.
Lucille jumped in, “No time. Grandma’s busy too.”
“What could you two possibly have going on?”
Cedrick’s tone dripped amusement–as if they were idle souls.
Lucille didn’t argue. “We’re booked.”
Cedrick, I’m no idler. You’ve no idea what I’ve done.
Cedrick brushed it off. A CEO’s plans weren’t trifled with.
He plowed ahead. “Three days, I’ll clear my desk. Grandma picks the spot, my assistant handles bookings.”
Five years married–his first trip offer.
Lucille remembered that when they first got married, her leg injury hadn’t healed, so naturally there was no honey- moon. But he barely took any wedding leave either, heading straight to the office the day after their wedding.
He said the company was busy.
Yet she knew back then he’d rather sit in the café outside their neighborhood until ten at night than come home early to face her.
Later, when she was able to walk naturally, she excitedly planned a trip to make up for their missed honeymoon. When she carefully suggested it to him, he again claimed to be too busy.
But one day she overheard him calling Harlan from his study, saying he’d forgo his break and give the time off to Harlan instead.
After that, she never brought up traveling with him again. Now he was the one suggesting it.
But she knew it wasn’t for her sake. Was he trying to make up for regrets about his grandmother?
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He’d once said he never got to properly care for her before she passed. One item on his filial plan had been: “Show Grandma all the world’s sights.”
The elderly woman didn’t have much energy. After a full day out, Grandma grew tired past nine.
Cedrick tidied the courtyard before heading inside to rest.
Seemed Cedrick wasn’t planning to leave.
Lucille felt thoroughly annoyed.
“You should go.”
She grabbed a pillow, intending to sleep with Grandma.
But Cedrick blocked the doorway. “Mrs. Maynard, we still have unfinished business.”
Lucille: ?
?
?
He shut the bedroom door firmly.
“What nonsense are you pulling now?”
She was exhausted from dealing with him.
“Have you forgotten what you said at the holistic health clinic today?”