Chapter 162
288 Wouchers
Just three days left.
Each day grew more tense, and the sight of his face became increasingly unbearable.
He chuckled. “Changing clothes to go where?”
“The holistic health clinic.”
“I’ll drive you.”
Lucille considered briefly. “Fine.”
Best not to rouse suspicion.
After changing into comfortable clothes, she grabbed her bag and left with him.
Getting into the car, she noticed the wooden pendant hanging from the rearview mirror again.
“Oh, it’s back.”
Cedrick hummed in acknowledgment. “Maricela said she hopes Grandma’s blessing will protect me too.”
“Mhm.”
Lucille nodded. “That’s nice.”
Cedrick scanned her expression, confirming no trace of anger. “Lucille, if only you’d been this reasonable before.”
“I’ve always been reasonable!”
How many times had she muttered that those two deserved each other?
He reached back to stroke her hair. “This is much better.”
Lucille flinched too late, irritation flaring. Images flooded her mind–Maricela’s photo, Cedrick’s bare torso–making his touch feel unclean.
She endured it.
Just three more days.
Cedrick parked at the clinic and moved to help her out.
She swiftly opened her door. “No need. I can manage. You should go.”
“Treating me like the plague?
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So eager to see me gone?”
He actually sounded offended.
What else? A treasure? Lucille scoffed inwardly, waving him off.
286 Vouchers
Since she was here, Lucille lingered at the clinic, requesting Dr. Mary insert acupuncture needles. Full recovery, how- ever, remained impossible.
After leaving, she bought two meals nearby, then waited curbside for an available taxi instead of hailing one.
One finally stopped. She took it to a hotel.
Grandma was staying here.
Lucille headed straight for Grandma’s room upstairs. Swiping the keycard, she found Vivian inside.
“What are you doing here?”
Lucille shut the door.
Fearing her parents might track them, Lucille hadn’t dared to book rooms under her or Grandma’s names. She’d gone to Vivian’s shop, pulling her out to register instead.
She hadn’t expected Vivian to stay.
“I’m not comfortable with this. Since the room’s under my name, I’ll just stay here. It’s a luxury hotel anyway, so I’m not losing out.”
Vivian grinned playfully.
Lucille chuckled, “I’ve troubled you too much.”
Truthfully, she hadn’t expected Vivian–originally just a luxury resale contact–to become so intertwined in her life. Their chance encounter had blossomed into something deeper, destined for more connections.
Vivian shook her head urgently. “Nonsense! We’re friends, and besides, we have a-”
“Let’s not dwell on that,” Lucille interrupted gently. “Our meeting was fate.”
The unspoken truth: Vivian stood to gain. Lucille had paid generously for Vivian and her boyfriend’s assistance, se- curing him a promising position.
“Don’t worry,” Vivian assured. “I’ll stay at the hotel with Grandma these days. Her flight’s booked too–just pick her up here when it’s time.”
Lucille nodded.
“Grandma,” she called, unpacking the takeout. She invited both Grandma and Vivian to eat.
After the meal, Vivian excused herself to “buy groceries,” leaving Grandma and Lucille alone.
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“Grandma,” Lucille began softly, “please don’t fret while staying here. In three days, we’ll go to Capital City. We couldn’t get your visa in time, so you’ll stay there for a month while we get it processed. Then we’ll reunite with Aun- tie.”
She’d already asked Dr. Gomez to arrange a short–term rental in Capital City. By moving Grandma there immediately, her parents couldn’t locate or harm her.
When Vivian returned that afternoon, Lucille bid Grandma a temporary farewell.
Her heart felt leaden.
Lucille knew her family had never loved her. Growing up devoid of parental warmth, she’d never imagined severing ties. Yet now, she had no choice.
She went to Tristen’s company.
The world saw her as a crippled burden–useless and wholly dependent on Cedrick’s support. But this “burden,” sus- tained yet stripped of purpose, noticed more than anyone.