Chapter 15
Cedrick patted her on the shoulder and took a deep breath. “Lucille, Mari went to the supermarket today and invited everybody over to clarify things with you. She hoped to get along with you and be your friend. Think about what you said. Is it all right to say those things about a young girl? She’s single. She wants to get married someday. How could you slander her like that? Did you think about her reputation?”
“No, no!” Maricela put in. “Never mind me. Ced, I mean it. Whatever Lucille says about me, I take no offence. I just hope she won’t be mad at you or misunderstand my relationship with you. The last thing I want is for you two to fight because of me, especially in front of these shareholders…”
Her purpose was plain, and it was a manipulative trick. Hearing her words, those men all looked at Lucille with disdain, considering her insensible, tactless, and unreasonable. She held no respect for Cedrick. How could she be a good wife?
Harlan couldn’t watch anymore. He spoke up again. “Luckily, there are no outsiders here. This scandal is kept to ourselves. Otherwise, it could be really shameful. Someone doesn’t care about Ced’s reputation, but we do.
Lucille hated Harlan. “Oh,” she jeered. “So, you know this is a scandal? And it’s shameful? Of course, it is. But I don’t have to point out who’s shameful here, do I?”
“Who are you referring to?” Harlan went ballistic.
“Oh, the one who seduces someone else’s husband, the one who’s in love with another woman other than his wife. Who am I referring to? Not you if you didn’t do it…
“Lucille!” Cedrick roared and interrupted her. Maybe Lucille had hit a nerve.
“I’m done with your jealousy! This is way too much!” Cedrick’s expression made it clear he’d run out of patience.
“I’m not jealous,” she said, meeting his gaze seriously. “Cedrick, from the very start, all I’ve been saying is…”
“That’s enough!” Cedrick snapped, cutting her off.
Harlan, Maricela’s loyal lackey, stepped forward to shield Maricela, speaking to Cedrick,
09:26
Chapter 15
11 788 resuchers
“Ced, since Lucille doesn’t want us eating here, let’s go out instead.”
Cedrick likely felt he’d lost face in front of his ex and their friends. He stood his ground, but his sharp eyes were fixed on Lucille, “Lucille, apologize to Maricela and everyone. We’re not unreasonable. Apologize, and we’ll let this go as if it never even occurred.”
We?
Lately, that was the word Lucille hated most.
She thought, “Yes. You are you, and I’m not one of you. There’s no need to force yourselves to sit together to cat with me.”
She shook her head, “No,”
Cedrick’s face turned instantly livid. “Fine, Lucille. Don’t regret this.”
He didn’t waste another second on her. He came with his “gang“, and in a flash, they were all
gone,
Lucille stood frozen, staring at the empty house. Once, she’d poured her heart into making this place feel like a real home for Cedrick. Now, it felt like every inch of it was etched with Maricela’s name.
She lashed out, sweeping her arm at the floor lamp beside her. It crashed to the ground with a deafening bang. The glass shattered and flew everywhere.
“Mrs. Maynard!” Mylee gasped, rushing forward to steady Lucille, afraid she’d step on the shattered glass.
Lucille pushed Mylee away, striding toward the row of rag dolls.
She’d never cared much for rag dolls, but once, she’d been touched by Cedrick’s thoughtfulness in gifting them. Now, the dolls‘ painted grins only felt like mockery!
She swung her arm hard. The dolls all crashed to the floor.
Next came the dining table, the carpet, and even the glass windows…
Mylee, who’d watched everything unfold, panicked when she saw Lucille still scanning the room for something else to destroy. She darted forward, wrapping her arms around her to hold Lucille back. “Mrs. Maynard, stop! This won’t help. Even if you break everything, it won’t change a thing. Mr. Maynard will only think you’re being unreasonable.”
09.26
Chapter 15
288 (Vouchers
Trapped in Mylee’s grip, Lucille struggled a few times. She had run out of her strength, going limp in Mylee’s arms. The ache in her chest only grew sharper.
She didn’t want this.
She didn’t want to be sad or feel hurt.
But these feelings weren’t just emotional. They were physical, uncontrollable.
She wanted to tell herself, “Lucille, stop crying and hold back the tears.”
If only it worked…
When she told herself, “Lucille, stop hurting.”
Her body refused to listen.
Mylee pulled her closer. “Mrs. Maynard, if you’re sad, just cry. Let it all out.”
Lucille didn’t cry.
She had no tears left to shed.
She said quietly, “Mylee, I’m sorry for the trouble. Clean up the floor… and these dolls…” She paused, then added, “Hire someone to take them to my husband’s office and tell him to put them there.”
“Okay, I’m on it,” Mylee hurried to agree, straining to support her weight.
But Lucille pushed herself upright. “Then make me beef with broccoli and half a serving of corn. Nothing else.”
Mylee didn’t press her about how little she was eating. She just watched her limp back to her
room.
Lucille wasn’t afraid of pain.