Chapter 229
The next day, Lucille and her tour group friends explored local spots, indulging in food, and snapped photos at the city’s landmark.
Several friends posted on Instagram, and Emma even sent their group photo to Lucille, remarking: “You look so much brighter and more cheerful than last time I saw you!”
Lucille studied her own image in the photo–Ms. Meredith on her left, Aydan on her right–her smile so wide it made her pause.
Even she herself was amazed at how radiant that smile appeared!
Early the next morning, the car issue was resolved. Lucille boarded the bus with the tour group, heading to the next city–Canal Town.
The famous Canal Town, home to the famous fate angel dolls.
Seeing dolls sold in nearly every shop along the streets, Lucille suddenly remembered the row of dolls at home–sup- posedly placed there so she “wouldn’t feel lonely.”
She’d foolishly believed those dolls were truly meant to keep her company. Hah. Who knew who they ended up ac- companying?
Aydan thought she wanted to buy one. “Lucille, want to pick one out?”
Lucille shook her head. It wasn’t that the dolls were bad–they just carried unhappy memories for her.
Her phone rang–an unknown international number.
Lucille answered. The caller politely identified herself as hotel reception.
It was the German hotel they’d checked out of that morning.
“Ma’am, we found a key in your room. It appears you left it behind. Could you provide your current address? We’ll mail it to you.”
A key?
“Does it have a keychain? With a photo of two young Chinese people–a man and a woman?” Lucille asked.
“Yes. The girl is you–we remember your face.”
Lucille smiled. “Thank you. Toss it. I don’t want it.”
“Don’t want it? Are you sure?” The receptionist thought she’d misheard.
12:05
Chapter 229
“Yes. Toss it. Thank you.” Lucille’s voice held no hesitation.
“Alright. Sorry to disturb you.” The call ended.
Lucille knew–it was the key to their home.
288 Mouchers
The house had a digital lock, but they’d kept physical keys too. Back when they’d just married, Cedrick insisted: “Al- ways carry a key. What if the lock runs out of battery? Or the fingerprint scanner fails? Or you forget the code? The key will save you.”
So she’d strung the key on a chain. Using one of their rare photos together, she’d custom–made a keychain, tucking both into her bag’s inner pocket.
Five years passed. She never changed that bag. She’d forgotten about the key entirely–until it somehow escaped that hidden pocket.
Consider it a sign from fate. She and Cedrick were over. The key should disappear too.
“Let’s go get ice cream.” Lucille spotted a gelato shop nearby–Italian ice cream was legendary.
Meanwhile, at a German hotel, the receptionist called to a cleaner: “The guest said to throw this away.”
A Chinese man inquiring at the front desk glanced over–then froze. “What’s being thrown out? Let me see!”
“Oh, it belonged to the previous guest,” the receptionist explained.
He lunged toward the cleaner, grabbing for the item. “Let me see!”
“Sir! That’s not yours! You can’t-”
“Of course it’s mine! Look–isn’t that me in the photo?” Cedrick sounded frantic.
The cleaner stared at him, then at the keychain photo, frowning in comparison.
“Well? Isn’t it me? Look carefully! That’s my house key! The girl in that photo is my wife!” Cedrick kept yelling.
“Seems like it… but maybe not… Can’t give it to you…” The cleaner kept shaking her head.
“You’re so stubborn!
You clearly saw it’s me in the photo, why won’t you return it?”
Cedrick tried to grab it again.
The receptionist intervened, “Sir, are you attempting robbery here?
We’ll call the police!”