Chapter 26
“Go on in. I’ll bring these,” he said.
She stepped out and waited by the door.
When he saw her standing there, he sighed. “You want to block the elevator.”
So she went inside.
“You…” He shook his head. “This is your home, too.”
She looked down.
“Is it, though?” she thought.
She didn’t think so.
This was her brother’s home and her parents‘ home.
They hadn’t shown her an ounce of compassion after her accident. They only cared about the compensation money. How could a place like that be her home?
And here, Cedrick was clearly more welcome than she was.
After moving all the gifts out, he rang the doorbell.
Her parents had been expecting them. Her mother opened the door immediately, beaming at the sight of Cedrick, and ushered him in warmly.
Lucille almost wondered if her mother would even notice if she didn’t come in.
The first thing Cedrick did was present the gifts: liquor, cigarettes, the banknote, and the large box.
When it was opened, she saw it was a fishing set.
Her father had recently taken up fishing, but this set cost a fortune. Lucille was stunned.
“You actually bought it! Wonderful!” Her father was thrilled.
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She wondered, “So, he asked for it.
“How could he have the nerve?”
“Dad, have you no shame?” Lucille couldn’t believe it. Her family had always been modest, but they got off asking for something that cost a fortune. Her parents didn’t even have that much in savings themselves.
Her father flew into a rage. “Who do you think you’re talking to? You ungrateful brat!”
“Yes, I’m ungrateful! No one ever taught me how to shamelessly beg for things…”
A sharp sound cut her off.
Her father had raised his hand to hit her, but Cedrick quickly stepped between them, shielding her.
The blow landed on Cedrick instead.
“You wretched girl! Today was supposed to be a happy day, and you come here to ruin it? I ought to beat you senseless!” her father roared.
Cedrick turned, keeping her behind him, and faced her father.
Her father immediately backed down, forcing a smile. “Cedrick, my daughter has no manners. Please forgive her.”
Cedrick said calmly, “My wife hasn’t been herself lately. I’d appreciate it if you could show some understanding.”
Her father instantly caught Cedrick’s real message: Lucille’s my wife, not yours to hit.
Lucille looked at Cedrick towering over her, and yet all she felt was a wave of bitterness.
Cedrick was defending her, but so what?
She had long stopped caring what her family thought of her. What she needed was for him to stand up for her when it truly mattered.
The truth was, Cedrick always knew where to draw the line.
He wouldn’t let her father hit her. But what if it were one of his friends or Maricela?
Her mother, seeing the tension, hurried over with a nervous smile. “Why is everyone still
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standing? Come sit! I made coffee. Jaxon, don’t just stand there. Invite them to sit!”
Her father, Jaxon Radford, took the chance to save face.
Her mother, Monica Garrett, handed Cedrick a cup of coffee. “Why is Lucille upset?”
Cedrick sat down, placing his arm around Lucille’s shoulders. “She’s mad at me,” he said lightly. “Maybe she’s tired of me. Or maybe she’s found someone better outside.”
“Impossible!” Monica denied it. “How could she find anyone better? She’s a cripple. Who else would want her but you?”
Lucille’s heart sank.
It wasn’t a surprise. Everyone thought, even her own family, that no one would want a cripple besides Cedrick.
How pathetic!
Her father, still admiring his new fishing gear, snapped, “How dare you be ungrateful to such a good man? I’ll break your legs if you cheat on him!”
“Just try…” Lucille started, but Cedrick gently pressed her arm.
“That’s enough, Lucille,” he said.
Then, turning to her father, he asked, “Would you like to try the new rod?”
Jaxon beamed. “Yes! Let’s go, Cedrick!”
“I’ll go fishing with Jaxon. Stay here and talk with your mother,” he said softly, lowering his head and touching her hair gently.
“Hurry up! Let’s go!” Jaxon urged.
Cedrick stood up and left.
As they left, Monica closed the door and sat beside her, launching into a lecture. “What’s wrong with you? A husband like Cedrick, and you don’t treat him well? So many women would kill to be in your place! Are you really so foolish? If you lose him, where will you find another man like him?”
Lucille smirked coldly. “Where will you find another generous son–in–law, you mean?”
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Her mother’s face darkened. “You’re such a fool. Let me make this clear: if you really drive him away, don’t you dare come back. You’re useless. Can’t even keep your man!”
“I’m planning to divorce him anyway,” Lucille thought.
But she couldn’t say it out loud. Her parents would make her life miserable, and it would only make divorcing harder.
Monica continued, “It’s been five years. Have a baby, a son. Tie him down. If you don’t, other women will. Why can’t you understand? If you’re not pregnant by the end of the year, don’t come back.