Chapter 46
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She shook her head, then gasped as her right arm was seized.
She didn’t need to look up to know it was Cedrick.
Five years of marriage. A stranger, yet intimately familiar.
“If anyone accompanies you to the doctor, it should be me. That’s my responsibility.”
Cedrick’s grip tightened on her arm.
Aydan sneered, “Isn’t your duty with that barren woman outside?”
Cedrick frowned, “My family affairs are none of your concern.”
The doctor had waited inside for quite some time. When no patient appeared, he called out, “Next? What’s the hold up?”
Aydan and Cedrick stood on either side, neither yielding an inch.
Lucille wrenched her right hand free. “Cedrick, are you proud of this? With all these people queuing outside–our re- lationship exposed–do you feel any pride at all?”
“Save your dignity and leave, Cedrick.”
Under Lucille’s firm stance, Cedrick didn’t press further.
“I’ll wait outside.”
He finally exited after those words.
An elderly physician examined Lucille thoroughly after hearing her symptoms. The diagnosis was grim: five years had passed since the injury, making recovery uncertain though worth attempting.
The treatment plan included daily acupuncture sessions–impractical for Lucille.
Learning she resided in Seaston, the doctor suggested, “My former student practices there. But temper your expecta- tions–dancing may remain impossible.”
“Understood. Thank you, Doctor.”
Having long abandoned hope for her foot, Lucille felt no crushing disappointment.
After the first session, the doctor advised three consecutive days of treatment in Capital City before returning to Seaston.
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Yet her flight was scheduled for tomorrow.
Since Cedrick already knows I’m here….
She rescheduled for the day after tomorrow.
“Lucille?” Aydan approached her post–consultation. “Care to revisit campus?”
The idea sparked immediate interest.
“Let’s go!” Aydan beamed.
Cedrick was absent from the waiting area–likely shopping for gifts with Maricela.
Lucille slid into Aydan’s car heading toward the dance academy.
Familiar classrooms. Dormitories. Dance studios…
Each landmark churned her emotions.
Those four years had been her brightest…
Forever frozen in that summer five years past. A chapter too painful to revisit.
“Ms Gomez is curating an exhibition,” Aydan guided her forward. “This way.”
Inside the gallery, Ms Gomez stood beside an elegant woman studying display panels.
“Aydan! Lucille!” Ms Gomez waved them over.
The woman exchanged glances with Aydan. His subtle wink drew her smile.
“Meet Lucille,” Ms Gomez introduced. “And this is Mrs. Hurley.”
Also surnamed Hurley…
Lucille’s eyes flickered toward Aydan.
“Guessed right,” he chuckled. “My mom’s your biggest fan.”
So he took his mother’s surname.
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During the tour, Lucille learned Mrs. Hurley planned to donate a new theater to the academy, having admired Lu- cille’s performances for years.
At dinner, Mrs. Hurley insisted: “Join our gala tomorrow evening. Ms Gomez will attend too.”
Unable to decline such warmth, Lucille accepted.
Later, en route to the hotel, curiosity surfaced. “Why join Seaston’s troupe when your family’s rooted here?”
Aydan met her gaze, grinning. “Mom kicked me out to ‘build character.“”
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Lucille immediately knew he was joking, but didn’t press further.
After Aydan arranged to pick her up tomorrow, they said goodbye.
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Back in her room, Lucille realized she needed proper attire for the banquet and contacted a Seaston boutique salesper- son to order clothes and shoes from their Capital City branch.
The salesperson promptly sent new arrivals–all menswear.
Since Lucille rarely went out, she hardly bought clothes for herself, mostly ordering for Cedrick.
She smiled bitterly, requesting evening gowns instead.
The flustered salesperson apologized and sent women’s selections.
Lucille chose a champagne gown, flats, and clutch, paying for delivery to her hotel.
Just as she confirmed the order, Cedrick called.
Suddenly weary of seeing his name, she hung up and blocked him.