Chapter 58
She waved dismissively. “Relax. Who doesn’t have some green in their life? We carry on.”
Hadn’t she been “greened“?
She’d loved him so deeply, yet moved on. What right had he to complain?
“Sleep, Cedrick. Early flight tomorrow.”
Her calm felt alien.
Just then, her phone rang–Aydan calling.
“Yeah?”
She walked toward the bedroom, answering.
“Who?” Cedrick demanded behind her.
Ignoring him, she kept talking.
Aydan’s voice came through: “Mom and Olivia grilled me for not driving you. Got an earful.”
Lucille chuckled, picturing him lectured by Mrs. Hurley and Olivia.
“Hey sis! I’ll make it up next time–I’ll visit you in Seaston!” Olivia cut in.
“Sure.”
Warmth from these new friends brightened Lucille’s smile.
Now lounging against pillows in bed, blanket over her legs, she laughed freely with the Hurleys–unnoticing, or un- caring, that Cedrick now stood before her.
By the time she hung up, he’d been waiting long.
Her lingering smile met his dark expression.
The caller ID “Aydan” remained on her unlocked screen, still lit up.
Cedrick’s gaze remained fixed on the screen. After it went dark, he stared intently at her. “Mrs. Maynard, I never knew you could smile so brightly?”
They’d been married five years. She’d always been flustered, forcing smiles his way. He’d even wondered if he lived with a puppet. So she could genuinely laugh like this?
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Chapter 58
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Lucille sighed. What did he want her to say? That all her unhappiness stemmed from him? Honestly, it wasn’t worth it. Marriage was a mutual choice. Back then… she’d chosen wrong too.
“Sighing? Finished talking to him and now you sigh?” Cedrick pointed at her phone. “Did you forget whose name is on our marriage certificate?”
Lucille looked at him wearily. “The one who forgot was never me, Cedrick.”
Cedrick frowned, then sneered. “So? Putting on this act now? What’s the goal? Make me jealous? Steal me back from Maricela? Keep me chained to your side? Playing reverse psychology?”
Lucille rolled her eyes, exasperated. “Think whatever you want.” She slid under the covers, set her phone down, ready to sleep.
“Get up! No sleeping!” Cedrick yanked the blanket off.
“Cedrick, just sleep! I’m not as shameless as you. I just talked with Mrs. Hurley and her family.” This man was utterly unreasonable!
Cedrick’s sneer turned vicious. “Meaning what? Telling me you’re getting along well with his whole family now?” He snatched her phone, unlocking it with her face.
“What are you doing? Give it back!” She lunged.
Cedrick focused on finding her contacts, but she managed to grab it back.
“Hand it over! Delete Aydan now!” His voice was a cold command. “I won’t allow someone I fund to slip from my control!”
Lucille shoved the phone under her pillow.
“You…” Cedrick’s fury ignited. He leaned down, grabbing for it. “Defying me over some man?”
Lucille pressed down on the pillow, refusing to budge. For a moment, they were locked in a stalemate.
Finally, Cedrick gave up, truly enraged. He stood by the bed, staring at Lucille with terrifyingly unfamiliar eyes.
Lucille instinctively pulled the blanket up. The next instant, Cedrick hauled her up with the blanket. He flipped her over, pressing her down, his weight pinning her back.
“Cedrick, stop this madness!” Trapped beneath him, she couldn’t move.
“Madness?” Cedrick’s hand reached under her pajamas, his eyes burning. “I warned you today! I’ll show you what I’m capable of!”
This wasn’t his first recent outburst. She couldn’t imagine how thrilled she’d have been if this happened before their fifth anniversary. But now, Lucille desperately didn’t want their relationship to change just as she planned to leave. Only one name could stop him.