Chapter 182
“You bastard! Keep stirring shit and see what happens!” Cedrick lunged, ready to drag Aydan out for a beating.
“Enough!” Lucille’s roar froze Cedrick mid–step.
“Got the nerve to make a scene?” She glared, voice trembling with fury. “How dare you attack the man who protected me?”
“He… has ulterior motives!” Cedrick jabbed a finger at Aydan.
“Unlike your pure heart?” Lucille’s sarcasm hung sharp in the air.
Cedrick fell silent again.
Lucille owed Aydan her life today. He’d already delayed his return to Capital City with a truckload of fresh berries. She couldn’t let him miss his evening flight–the cargo would spoil.
Turning to Aydan, she said, “No words can thank you enough—”
“What more do you want besides thanks?” Cedrick bellowed behind her. “Name your price! I’ll pay!”
Ignoring him, Lucille continued, “Go now. Your berries can’t wait. I’ll repay you properly later.”
“Repay him how? Spell it out! I’m your husband—I’ll handle it!” Cedrick’s claim of ownership rang loud and clear.
Neither acknowledged him.
Aydan watched Lucille, concern etched on his face.
She met his gaze, lips shaping silent words: See you in Capital City.
Cedrick saw their locked eyes. “What’s this staring contest? Some secret code?” He yanked Lucille into his arms.
No one answered.
Lucille gave Aydan a reassuring nod. “Really, I’ll be fine.”
Finally, Aydan relented. “Alright. Call me if anything happens.”
“Call you? For what-” Cedrick’s rage flared anew.
But his fury went ignored. Aydan walked out as if hearing nothing.
“Bye, Lucille.”
He waved, “Goodbye.
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Chapter 182
288 Wouchmes
“Bye, see you.”
Lucille waved back.
Their “see you” truly meant meeting again in two days. Cedrick didn’t catch it, frowning instead. “First ‘bye‘, then ‘see you“? Can’t bear to part?”
With that, he slammed the door shut.
The room held only Cedrick and Lucille now.
Cedrick pulled Lucille into an embrace.
Silent. Just holding.
Lucille didn’t struggle. Couldn’t be bothered to waste the energy.
Long moments later, Lucille finally spoke. “Had enough?
My foot’s tired.”
Only then did Cedrick release her. “My fault.”
He scooped her up horizontally and placed her on the bed. “Tired?
Rest a bit more?”
Lucille offered no reply.
Cedrick’s expression grew heavy. “Lucille, I know today upset you. But… in that moment, it was an impossible choice.”
“Choice?”
Lucille gave a cold laugh. “You actually got to choose? How dare you use that word?”
“Lucille…” He sighed. “Maricela cares deeply about her looks…”
“And I don’t, right?”
Cedrick choked on his words.
“No, Lucille…” he said. “Maricela works outside. If her face is ruined, her life is ruined. And she’s not married yet. Her face… it’s truly vital to her.”
Lucille understood. She nodded. “Meaning, since I’m already married, staying home not working… my face doesn’t matter. Is that it?”
“Not unimportant. Of course it matters. But… in such an extreme situation, if forced to choose… Maricela ‘s face is simply more critical. After all, you’ve already…” Cedrick glanced at her foot, leaving the rest unsaid.
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Chapter 182
289 Vouchers
Lucille understood again. Her smile turned bleak. “I see. My foot’s already useless. I’m already disabled. What’s a scarred face on top? Right?”
“Lucille…” He strained to explain. “You have me. I’ll support you forever. Your appearance doesn’t matter to me. As long as you’re Lucille, you’ll always be Mrs. Maynard…”
“Stop.”
She sneered. “Is ‘Mrs. Maynard‘ some grand title?
Worth trading a leg and a face for?”
“Don’t twist my words…”
“I’m not twisting.”
Lucille cut him off, simply unwilling to hear more nonsense. “I understand.”
“You truly do?”
He looked at her doubtfully.
“Yes. Truly understand.”
Understood to the point where anger wouldn’t even rise. Too heartbroken to even be angry.