Lucille Radford heard water running in the bathroom.

It should be Cedrick Maynard taking a shower.

It was three in the morning, and he had just come home.

Lucille stood at the door, waiting to discuss something with him.

Her stomach knotted as she wondered if he would ever agree.

While she was rehearsing her speech, a strange noise drifted out.

After listening carefully, she finally realized—he was jerking off!

Every moan and groan hit her like a kick in the guts. Pain spread through her in thick, suffocating waves, leaving her struggling for breath.

Today was their wedding anniversary. It had been five years since she married him, yet they had never once slept together.

So, he'd rather play with himself than touch his wife.

His breathing quickened until he finally bit out a low growl. "Mari..."

That name was the last straw.

Lucille felt like her heart had been shattered into a million pieces.

Trying to hold back her sobs, she clamped a hand over her mouth and bolted. But right after she took a step, she collided with the sink and hit the floor with a thud.

"Lucille?" Cedrick's voice was still ragged. He was trying to sound normal, but the heavy breathing betrayed him.

"I... I had to pee. I didn't know you were in the shower." She rattled off the crappy lie as she clawed at the sink, desperate to yank herself up.

But her frantic movements only made her clumsier. There was water all over the floor and the sink. She had just struggled to her feet when Cedrick walked out. His white robe was thrown on crooked, but the belt was knotted tight.

"You fell? Let me help." He bent down, trying to pick her up.

Though tears of pain shimmered in her eyes, she shoved his hands away, pathetic yet resolute. "No, I've got this."

While trying to stand up, she almost slipped again. Then she finally limped back to the bedroom.

It was more like running away.

That was what she had done the whole five years since marrying Cedrick: hiding from the outside world, the strange looks in people's eyes, and his pity and sympathy.

Who would have thought Cedrick's wife was a cripple?

How could a lame girl deserve a golden boy who had it all?

But once, she too had legs that carried her with strength and grace.

Cedrick came right after her, his voice gentle and worried. "Did you hurt yourself? Let me check."

"No, I'm good." She yanked the blanket over herself, hiding her mess and her shame.

"You sure?" He really cared.

"Yeah." She nodded hard with her back to him.

"So, lights out? Weren't you gonna pee?"

"Not anymore. Let's sleep," she murmured.

"Alright. Oh, today is our anniversary. I got you something. Open it tomorrow and see if you like it."

"Sure." The box was right on the nightstand. Of course she had spotted it. She didn't even need to open it to know what was inside.

Every year, he gifted her the exact same watch, wrapped in a box of the exact same size.

Nine of them were sitting in her drawer, either from birthdays or anniversaries. This would be number ten.

The chat ended there. Cedrick clicked off the light and lay down. The damp, sweet smell of shower gel still drifted in the air, but Lucille hardly felt the mattress dip. On the king-sized bed, she hugged one edge while he hugged the other, with space for three more people in between.

Neither of them brought up the name "Mari" or what he had just done in the bathroom. It was like nothing had happened.

Lucille lay stiff on her back, tears welling up in her eyes.

Maricela Archdale was Cedrick's first love back at college, the one he never got over.

When they graduated, she went abroad, and they broke up. He almost fell apart, going on a drinking binge every single day.

Lucille had known him since middle school.

She admitted she had liked him back then.

He was the cool, handsome top student, while she was in the art track—pretty, sure, but plenty of girls were. In a high school where grades were everything, art students were overlooked, even looked down on.

So it stayed her little secret crush, and she never thought she'd actually end up marrying him.

She only ran into him again that summer after dance-college graduation, when he was a total mess.

That night, he was wasted, zig-zagging all over the road. He walked straight into traffic without looking, and a car came screaming. She had been tailing him, worrying something might happen, so she shoved him out of the way and got slammed herself.

She was a dance student, grad school already in the bag.

But the crash screwed her leg.

She would never dance again.

After that, he quit drinking and married her.

He felt he owed her, so he'd say thanks and sweet stuff, but still kept his distance. And he flooded her with gifts and cash.

But he never ever loved her.

She thought time would fix everything. At the very least, it would make it hurt less.

However, five years later, the name "Mari" was still burned into his brain, so deep he moaned it when he was jerking off.

She was such a fool to think time could change a heart.

Lucille didn't sleep at all, reading that email on her phone again and again.

It was a grad-school offer from overseas, and she had planned to ask Cedrick if he was okay with her accepting it.

Now it looked like she didn't need to ask.

After five years of marriage and endless sleepless nights, finally, she was about to be free.

When Cedrick got up, Lucille kept her eyes shut, feigning sleep. She heard him tell the housekeeper, Mylee Hopkins, "I've got a business dinner tonight. Tell Lucille not to wait up."

With that, he stepped back into the bedroom to check on her. She buried her head under the blanket, her silent tears soaking into the pillow.

On normal mornings, she'd lay out his clothes, so he could simply slip into them.

But today, she didn't.

He dressed himself in the walk-in closet and left for the office.

Only then did she dare open her swollen, burning eyes.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

It was her alarm. Time to study Porilinese.

After the wedding, her bad leg kept her stuck at home. She chopped each day into chunks and then killed them any way she could.

She turned off the alarm and started mindlessly scrolling through apps.

Her mind was in a fog, so nothing went in.

Then, a video on Facebook caught her eye.

The face looked way too familiar.

She checked the name—Mari-Sea.

Great, the very last person she wanted to see. Thanks, Big Data...

The video was posted last night.

Lucille tapped play, and party music blasted out. "One, two, three! Welcome back, Mari! Cheers!" someone exclaimed.

It was Cedrick's voice. He was actually shouting with joy.

Cedrick drank even though he swore he wouldn't.

Lucille could tell he was tipsy.

But screaming his lungs out? That didn't sound like him at all.

Back in high school, he was the cold, top-of-the-class heart-throb who was always serious with his studies. He was so frosty that he wouldn't even glance at the girls who brought him water on the sports field.

Later, as her husband, he was courteous and calm, never letting his emotions show. He never smiled or got mad, so detached that when she accidentally touched his fingers, they felt ice-cold.

The camera swept across the room and caught Cedrick tipsy, eyes sparkling, raising his glass to the lens with a big grin. "Welcome back, Mari!"

So he could laugh.

He could get fired up.

And he could use cute nicknames.

But not with Lucille.

"Mrs. Maynard, you getting up now?" Mylee asked through the door.

Lucille's day usually ran like clockwork. Seeing her still in bed, Mylee figured she might need help. After all, her bad leg was no secret.

Lucille put her phone aside. "Yeah, coming." Her voice came out raspy, like she had been crying.

Breakfast was bread and butter. She ate one slice and quit.

"What would you like for lunch and dinner?" Mylee handed her a glass of milk.

"Anything..." She almost said the usual "anything Cedrick likes," then swallowed the rest.

Mylee got it anyway. They had this talk every day. "Mr. Maynard said he's not coming back for dinner tonight. He has got a business thing."

Lucille nodded.

Sure, he wouldn't. She had seen Maricela's post on Facebook: a seven-day schedule of who was buying her meals. "College buddies are the best. Look at all these cute guys lining up to spoil me!"

Most days, Lucille studied Porilinese for two hours, then art theory for a few more.

If she didn't keep busy, how else would she survive the endless wait? Just sit around for a man who never came home?

She had done that before.

Waiting sucked.

But today was different.

Her offer came in the school's final wave. She had to lock it down now.

So the first thing on her list today was to pay the deposit. When her phone flashed the bank's "payment successful," she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

One day closer to the day she'd walk away from Cedrick for good.

By evening, she changed clothes and headed for the door.

Mylee looked surprised. "Mrs. Maynard, you're going out?"

Without her husband, Lucille hardly ever left the house.

"An old college friend is in town for a show. We're gonna catch up," she replied. Truth was, she had booked a hotel near the test center.

She was retaking the Porilinese Test tomorrow morning. If she tried to get there from home in rush hour, she'd probably be late.

She fell short a few months back, but the application deadline hit, so she sent it anyway. Then she got in, and she quickly rebooked the test to score higher.

Luckily, the school let her update her score later.

"But..." Mylee glanced at her leg. "Want me to tag along?"

"No, it's girls only. Having you around would kill the vibe." Lucille's face gave nothing away.

"I'd better tell Mr. Maynard," Mylee insisted. If something went wrong, it was on her.

"Don't. Let him do his dinner thing. I'll call when we're done so he can pick me up." She slung her bag and walked out.

Because of her bad leg, Cedrick picked a one-floor flat. The elevator went down, and she was out.

Once she was in the sunlight, she automatically ducked, shrank, yanked her cap low, and flipped her collar up.

Ever since the limp, the fearless girl who used to own the stage had vanished.

Crippled Lucille didn't dare face the crowd.

Mylee always said, "Wait for Mr. Maynard to go with you."

Cedrick said it too, "Stay home unless I'm free."

But they didn't know the truth.

Going out with Cedrick scared her more than going solo, because every stare said it loud, "Why's a great guy like him with a limping wife?"

Lucille called a ride and set off for the hotel.

On the way, she gazed out the window and suddenly spotted Cedrick's car in a curbside spot.

"Could you pull over, please?" she blurted to the driver.

Cedrick's car was parked outside a restaurant.

Yesterday, one of his childhood buddies had treated. Today, it was his turn—Maricela had posted the plan on Facebook.

Almost without thinking, Lucille got out.

At the restaurant, she said, "I'm here for Mr. Maynard's room." Then, she gave the last four digits of his number.

The waiter walked her to a private room. "This is it."

"Thanks."

Honestly, she didn't know why she had come. Back home, she had been tugged here by one sudden urge after another, but now, right outside the door, she couldn't even bring herself to push it open.

Inside, the chatter spilled out, loud and cheerful.

"I can't stay out late tonight, and I'm definitely not drinking. I came home drunk last night, and my wife got mad," one of Cedrick's buddies said.

"Come on! You used to say I came first no matter what. Now you're scared of your wife? Only Ced keeps it real."

That was Maricela, voice sweet and soft.

So that was what she was like.

And that was the type Cedrick fell for.

Too bad Lucille would never be that girl. She couldn't fake it even if she tried.

"Oh, he's different. Lucille wouldn't dare bark at him."

"Hey, Ced," Maricela piped up again, "I heard your wife is lame. How come?"

No one answered her.

Lucille's heart skipped a beat.

Cedrick's buddies kept at it.

"Look, Ced, it's a raw deal. With your money and looks, you could land any girl you want. Why pick one who can't even walk?"

"Dead serious, bro. You're the top dog here, but now, you're stuck with Lucille. Any time you need a plus-one for a party or a press conference, she's a no-show. Doesn't that suck?"

"So that's it," Lucille thought.

Cedrick always told her, "You don't need to show up for anything. Just stay home and wait for me to bring back the money."

Her own family sang his praises. "Girl, you've got it made." Truth was, he was ashamed to be seen with her.

Cedrick gave a sad smile. "She saved me. I owe her."

"Owe her? Man, you've paid that debt in cash a hundred times."

"Right. You should've cut a check and walked away. No need to wreck your whole life."

"Dude, wake up. You could've got yourself a lucky charm and made a wish every day for a fat paycheck. What does she do for you?"

"Exactly. You can't take her out, and at home, you're scared she'll drop the glass. Here, Ced, watch me. This is how she holds a glass, right? Like this?"

The room exploded with laughter. Maricela cackled loudest. "So your wife really walks like that?"

Lucille, ear to the door, felt every drop of blood shoot to her head. Fury and shame knocked her off balance.

The door swung open.

Inside, the table was still cracking up.

Harlan Peterson, one of Cedrick's crew, was limping around like a bad actor, glass in hand, voice squeaky. "Ced, water. Oops, I'm falling. Ced, catch me!"

Lucille looked straight at Cedrick, waiting for the man she loved most to do something.

The stupid act had everyone howling. Maricela, sitting right next to Cedrick, laughed so hard she flopped onto his shoulder.

He hadn't said a word.

Harlan spun around, still grinning. "Ced, is that how—"

The question died when he spotted Lucille in the doorway. His smile froze. "L-Lucille."

Every eye snapped to the door.

There was a moment of dead silence.

Maricela straightened off Cedrick's shoulder, flashing a bright smile. "Hi there, you must be Ced's wife. I'm one of his closest buddies. Come on in."

Lucille scanned the room, and a chill hit her gut.

Cedrick finally got up and walked over. "Lucille, what are you doing here? They were just joking. Don't take it to heart."

She stared at him. He felt like a total stranger, like she had never really known him at all.

So when the others mocked her, he was on their side!

"S-Sorry," Harlan muttered, putting his glass down. "Just a stupid joke. Don't be mad."

"Lucille." Cedrick reached her and tried to slip an arm around her shoulders.

But she flashed back to Maricela draped over his shoulder, the hand he had had on himself in the shower, and the moment he had groaned "Mari." Suddenly, his hand looked filthy.

She jumped back.

"Lucille..." Cedrick stared at his empty hand, kind of shocked, then sighed, "Sorry, they were out of line. No hard feelings, okay? I'll make it up to you. Whatever you want, I'll buy it."

Maricela shot Harlan a playful glare. "See what you did? You upset Ced's wifey. Say sorry! Not everyone is as rough and easy-going as I am. You can't tease them the same way."

Lucille sneered inside, "What a load of fake crap."

But the guys couldn't tell. They were lapping it up.

Harlan refused to back down. "I did! I didn't know Lucille would walk in. I was totally joking."

"It isn't a joke unless the person being joked about thinks it's funny," Lucille shot back, voice quivering. It took every ounce of guts she had left to get the words out.

She was the cripple. She didn't deserve Cedrick.

That single thought had haunted her for five straight years. Whenever someone side-eyed her or thought she wasn't good enough, she'd duck for cover like a scared bird and hole up for days, fixing herself alone.

"But I already apologized," Harlan muttered.

"I... I'm not taking your sorry..." Lucille stammered, shaking even harder. It was her first time ever standing up to a joke about her leg.

"So what do you want?" he grumbled.

She didn't know. She just kept shaking her head. She couldn't stand Cedrick's buddies making fun of her, and it hurt even more that he sided with them.

"Shut up, both of you." Cedrick rose and stepped between them.

He was the boss of this pack.

Right after college, he had dragged them all into business. With his smart ideas and relentless drive, they had built the company they had today.

So when he said stop, everybody else shut right up.

"Lucille." Cedrick looked at her with the same old flat stare, nothing like the way his eyes lit up in that video. "They're my close buddies, and they're not trying to be mean. Let it slide for me, okay? I'll get the driver to take you home."

"Lucille." Maricela pouted and snuggled up to Cedrick. "If you're mad, blame me. Don't ice out Ced. They threw this party because I'm back. Ced, make Lucille stay. I'll pour her a drink and say sorry."

Ugh, so hypocritical.

"Forget it." Lucille stared straight at Cedrick. He was the one letting Maricela talk like that. She swallowed the bitterness, voice steady. "I don't do alcohol, and I sure as hell don't take a drink from some cheap bitch."

Maricela's eyes went watery. "Ced, is she calling me a bitch? I—" She sniffed hard. "It's okay, really. She got me wrong. Let her say her piece; it's no big deal. Don't be mad at her."

Cedrick's face hardened. "Mari was trying to be nice. Why the nasty bite?"

Nice?

Only an idiot would call that "nice."

Was Cedrick an idiot?

No. He just picked sides, not truth.

Whoever he liked was right.

Lucille looked at the two of them and the others behind. She felt a wall she could never climb stood between her and them.

They were on the same team, a solid clique, while she was an outsider barging in. Actually, she had never even made it inside. She was extra, even on the edge.

She swallowed her tears, gave a snort, and turned to leave.

Behind her, Maricela said to Cedrick, "Lucille—"

"Don't worry. She's good at playing along. I'll go sweet-talk her later. Let's keep going. Forget her." Cedrick glanced back at Lucille and texted the driver: "Take Lucille home."

Lucille wanted to walk out like she didn't care, but her legs wouldn't obey. The more she fought for dignity, the more they shook.

Rushing out all flustered, she probably looked just like Harlan when he imitated her.

They'd burst out laughing the second the door shut.

She swiped the tears away hard and hurried off, but her legs wobbled more.

When Cedrick's driver finally got outside, Lucille was already gone.

He came back and told Cedrick.

Cedrick frowned and called her, but she hung up. When he tried again, her phone was already off.

Harlan was kind of pissed, and now he let it rip. "Bro, she has got that attitude because you keep letting her. With your cash and looks, any girl would treat you like a king. Yet she's acting up. Man, you're way too soft."

Cedrick said nothing.

The others chimed in. "Harlan is right. You bust your ass out there for her and your family, and she can't even show a little understanding. Now, she gets pissy over nothing. She isn't worth it!"

"Yeah. Tying the knot with you is like winning the lottery for her. No kidding, who's gonna want a lame girl? If you walk away, she'll be stuck with some other cripple!"

Maricela waited for the right moment to chime in. "Ced, don't let their remarks about your wife get under your skin. They mean well and care about you. After all, you've been friends for years. Even if some words sting, brush them off and don't dwell on them!"

"I'm not mad," Cedrick put away his phone and said. "Forget it. She won't go anywhere."

For the past five years, she had never set foot anywhere beyond their house, and there was nowhere else for her to turn.

Harlan glanced at Maricela and muttered, "Our Mari is always compassionate. If you didn't break up..."

"Shut it!" Maricela glared at Harlan. "What's gotten into you tonight? Ced is married. That kind of talk is out of line!"

A trace of sorrow glinted in her eyes as she gazed at Cedrick. "I've come back, asking for nothing more. If you're still willing to accept me and stand by my side, that'll do my heart good."

"Don't be silly. You're always our favorite. Should anyone dare to mess with you, we'll teach him a lesson. Am I right, Cedrick?" Harlan said, thumping his chest with passion.

Cedrick remained silent, swirling the wine gently.

He had a sudden feeling of déjà vu.

Back in the day, he enjoyed watching them banter with Maricela. But when things got out of hand, they would turn to him and ask him to be the judge of it.

Now, they turned to him again. He answered with a faint smile, "Of course."

***

Lucille didn't go home.

She checked into the hotel that she had booked.

The moment she closed the door, a flood of pain and grievances surged through her.

The image of Harlan mimicking her limping gait replayed endlessly, while the pearls of laughter echoed in her ears, like a curse.

In fact, she was aware of the criticisms that Cedrick's bros made behind her back, but she never breathed a word of it to Cedrick.

She knew they had been his closest friends for years.

She understood the hardships he had endured out there.

Thus, she didn't want to cause him any more headaches and sow discord between him and his bros.

But it turned out it was all in her head.

How could he ever let her come between him and his bros?

Their bond was simply unbreakable!

What was she to him?

She was merely the debt that he had married her to settle, a liability. Without her, his life would have been much happier.

"She's just a cripple! Without you marrying her, who else would want her?"

"She's a cripple, and she married someone like Cedrick. How is she not satisfied?"

"If I were Cedrick, I would rather choose to be hit by that car than marry a cripple and become the butt of everyone's jokes."

"While every other big shot parades a dignified and elegant wife, Cedrick has no one to flaunt."

***

Suddenly, she remembered all the gossip she overheard over the past five years, like a raging vortex that buffeted and swallowed her whole.

She couldn't breathe. Her heart was ripped apart.

Trembling, she unlocked a photo album on her phone that she hadn't had the courage to revisit in five years. Inside it were stored the memories of her training and performances during college.

Ever since she could no longer perform on stage, she had locked away all her dance photos and videos in this album.

She clicked on a random video.

To the rhythm of the music, she spun and leapt, executing a perfect split in the air.

She once shone with brilliance, danced with elegance. Her performance could bring the house down.

So, was saving him a mistake?

Yet when she saved him, she never thought about marrying him.

It was he who promised to marry her, planned a spectacular proposal, and knelt before her with a huge diamond ring. It was he who gave her hope...

She turned off her phone, and for the first time in five years, she collapsed onto the bed and cried her heart out.

She cried for a very long time.

She didn't stop until she was exhausted, until every tear had dried, and until there was only pain in her chest, burning like fire.

And it was precisely this pain that allowed her to find a moment of clarity amid the suffocating maelstrom of calamities.

The deeper the pain, the saner she became.

She went to the bathroom to splash water on her face and calm herself down.

Staring at her lifeless reflection in the mirror, she muttered to herself, "Lucille, you've cried enough. No more tears. Now, please eat some food, get some rest, and get ready for tomorrow's exam."

Her only solace in those five years of marriage was that she had kept herself busy by studying each day.

It wasn't to hitch her wagon to a star. It was out of sheer boredom.

All of her days were spent waiting for Cedrick to come home.

But Cedrick always came home late.

At first, she thought he was swamped in work. Only later did she realize that he didn't want to come home early to face her.

She heard it with her own ears.

Back then, she understood him and cared about him. She made some snacks and delivered them to his office, only to overhear a conversation that was not meant for her ears.

He and Harlan were in his office.

Harlan asked why he hadn't left yet. The office was almost empty, yet he was still working overtime.

He said he didn't know how to deal with her enthusiasm.

She didn't get it, but Harlan understood it immediately.

Harlan yelped, "Seriously? Cedrick, don't tell me you haven't slept with her."

Cedrick fell silent.

That was the truth.

Cedrick never made love to her.

She had dropped hints and even made bold and shameless moves, but he always turned her down with various reasons.

For example, "You aren't in good shape."

"I'm too tired."

She was not a fool. Gradually, it dawned on her that Cedrick wouldn't touch her because he didn't love her.

Every time she heard him say it out loud, her heart throbbed with pain, and she struggled to draw a breath.

Then, Harlan asked him, half-joking, "Cedrick, how did she not turn you on? For what it's worth, I think she looks quite beautiful."

Cedrick's answer was like a blade lodged in her chest. Every time she remembered it, it twisted deeper toward her heart.

Cedrick admitted, "I tried. I wanted a normal sex life with her, but the moment I saw her leg, I lost all desire."

That would explain it.

Her leg, which she had sacrificed to save him with, was, in his eyes, disgusting, off-putting, and utterly unappealing.

She didn't knock on the office door. In the end, she tossed the snacks in the trash.

Henceforth, she never went back to his office.

From that moment on, she buried herself in books.

She didn't think much then. She just wanted to find a purpose in her meaningless life, and with a task to do, she wouldn't be down in the dumps whenever those words returned to her mind.

Who could imagine that those books had become her redemption?

She needed to nail the test tomorrow.

She yearned to leave this place, to run as far away as possible.

Just thinking about it hurt so much inside.

She couldn't tell whether the pain stemmed from him or the five years that she wasted on him.

But it didn't matter now. She refused to let herself wallow in those sorrows.

Even knowing this hurt would last for a long time, she was determined to save herself.

She ordered a light dinner and a set of fresh clothes.

She called the front desk and requested a wake-up service for the next day.

Then she forced herself to sleep.

Probably because she hadn't slept at all last night, she hit the bed and was out like a light.

The next day, she got up as planned and turned her phone on.

Her phone kept buzzing with texts flooding in. They were all from Cedrick.

She didn't read the texts, for fear that they would affect her performance.

She had breakfast at the hotel. With everything set, she headed toward the exam center.

The hotel was near the center. It would likely take her five minutes to walk there.

Just outside the hotel, her phone buzzed again.

Cedrick was calling.

She panicked, almost dropping her phone. She hurriedly declined the call and powered her phone off once more.

When she came out of the exam center, her heart was still racing.

It was because of pure joy.

She brought her A-game.

Throughout the speaking test, the examiner had a smile on his face. She understood almost everything in listening and finished reading and writing with ease.

She didn't dare to predict her scores, but at least she had completed everything.

She wasn't totally useless!

Head down, she strolled alone on the sidewalk, lost in thoughts about her exam. Then, out of nowhere, a pair of leather shoes appeared and blocked her path. Before she could react, she bumped straight into them.

If he hadn't caught her, she would have fallen to the ground.

And he was the last person she wanted to see.

Cedrick.

"Lucille!"

She could tell he was seething, but he forced himself to restrain his anger.

"Lucille, why didn't you come home?" Gripping her shoulder, he asked softly, calm and gentle as usual.

Lucille wondered how he could not know the reason.

But now, she didn't have time to argue. Because of the collision, her bag hit the ground, and the flap flung open with her test pen peeking out.

She didn't want him to know she took the Porilinese Test.

She shook off his hand, crouched down, swiftly tucked the pen into her bag, and fastened it.

"What's that?" he asked, his eyes fixated on her bag.

"Nothing. Just a pen." She feigned composure, but she gripped her bag so tightly that her fingers turned pale.

"Show me," he demanded.

No. She couldn't let him see it.

She clutched her bag even tighter. "What do you want the pen for?"

"Give me your phone," he asked.

Hesitating for a moment, Lucille reached into her bag and handed him her phone.

It was switched off.

He only took a glance before returning it. "I've called and texted you so many times. Why didn't you reply? Are you still mad?"

She held her phone, relieved that he hadn't looked through it and discovered the Porilinese Test email.

If only this were the only problem...

She thought it over and decided not to get angry.

She just wanted to leave this place.

And the desire grew even fiercer when she laid eyes on him again.

Her silence convinced him that she was still mad. He sighed and said, "Lucille, aren't you so reasonable? How come this time you didn't come home?"

Lucille swore she didn't want to blow a fuse, but after he said that, even a saint would struggle to stay calm.

"So, was what happened yesterday my fault? I'm not reasonable? I should've given Harlan a pat on his back for doing such a perfect impression of me?" she snapped.

Cedrick looked embarrassed. "I didn't mean it like that. You can't control what others say about you. Don't take it personally."

"You could've at least defended me!" she glared at him and bellowed. "But instead, you held Maricela and laughed at me together."

"Lucille!" His face blazed with rage.

It made sense.

The name "Maricela" was his Achilles' heel.

What could she possibly say?

She clutched her bag, passed him, and walked ahead.

But he extended his arm and held her by her waist.

"I'm sorry, Lucille. I shouldn't have yelled," he said softly. "I just don't want you to get the wrong idea. Maricela and I are just friends. I treat her like one of my bros. She's not married. What you said could discredit her."

Lucille was confused. Weren't they the ones who crossed the line? How shouldn't she call Maricela out for what she did?

Lucille replied, "I see."

"Lucille." He sensed her indifference. "Why are you still mad? You went to stay at a hotel alone and didn't come home. I haven't said anything to you. Why won't you let it go?"

Yes. It was all her fault.

"Lucille, calm down. Let's grab a lunch together, then I'll shop with you."

Lucille agreed. After all, she had something to say to him.

Cedrick brought her to a nearby restaurant.

As she entered the restaurant and met the waiter's eyes, out of habit, she dipped her head, raised her collar, and inched behind Cedrick, trying to make her limp less noticeable.

But then, a sense of relief settled in her.

If she wasn't good for him, so be it. She wasn't planning to be with him anyway.

They sat down.

Cedrick ordered food.

When the dishes were served, Cedrick passed her the fork and said in his usual gentle voice. "Lucille, dig in. They are all your favorite dishes."

Lucille glanced at the dishes, only to find they were all spicy.

She flashed a bitter smile.

He had no idea that she couldn't handle spicy food. Every dinner at home was spicy because he liked it.

"Cedrick, I'm not hungry." She didn't pick up the fork. "I have something to tell you."

"What?" A smile tugged at his lips. "I'll go anywhere you want. I have all day to myself. We can have some fun in the afternoon and have dinner at my parents' place."

She gazed at his faint smile. Thinking of those words she was about to say, a wave of bittersweet emotions welled inside her.

"Cedrick..." She choked up.

"What's wrong, Lucille?" he held her hand and asked. "If you want to cry, then cry. Don't hold it back."

His voice was so warm and gentle.

Just like back then, when she was wheeled from the operating room to her room by him and the nurse, he stayed by her bedside and spoke in a voice soaked with tenderness. "Lucille, does it hurt? If it does, just cry. Don't hold it back."

She thought he was the cure for her pain. Sadly, it took her years to realize his care and warmth could never blossom into love.

"Cedrick, let's get a divorce," she murmured, pulling back her hand. The pain slowly clouded her eyes.

He frowned, caught off guard by what she just said.

Silence hung between them. Then he had the waiter fetch a clean plate, picked a fish fillet, removed the bone, and said gently, "Lucille, I know you're still mad. But bringing up a divorce isn't wise. How will you live alone?"

Lucille's breath quickened.

Over the past five years, everyone saw her as nothing more than his appendage. Without him, he was a lonely and wretched girl who couldn't survive on her own.

Even he thought the same.

"I can do it!" For the first time, she stood up for herself in front of him to claim a shred of dignity.

He smiled, assuming she was throwing a little tantrum. He put the fish into her plate and urged, "Eat. But after this meal, no more sulking."

"I'm not sulking. I want a divorce!" How could she make Cedrick understand this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision?

"Lucille." He put down the fork and stared at her. "Enough. I canceled two business meetings and a negotiation to spend time with you. I may not have such time to spare in the next two days. I'll say it again. Maricela is just a friend of mine, like Harlan and the rest. She likes you and wants to be your friend. But with your attitude, how am I supposed to let you two meet?"

"Then don't." She didn't think Maricela would want to be her friend at all.

"Lucille!" he fumed.

As expected, when it came to Maricela, he would always get so defensive.

"Eat up. After this, we'll go shopping, buy whatever you like, and then head to my parents' place. How long has it been since you visited them?" he urged, filling her plate with food.

She didn't want to punish herself. She picked up the fork and began to eat. Whatever happened, her health always came first, and it was pointless to stay hungry.

"That's more like it." Cedrick's voice softened again. "Don't ever bring up divorce again."

She paused, then continued eating in silence.

After the meal, she had no desire to shop, but Cedrick insisted and drove her to the mall.

In five years of marriage, Cedrick had hardly gone shopping with her. Frankly, they rarely showed up together in public.

The lights in the mall were blinding even during the day.

She wasn't used to it. She hugged her bag and gingerly walked in his shadow.

The ground floor was full of counters displaying luxury bags, watches, and jewelry.

"Is there anything you like?" he turned and asked.

She was interested in nothing. All she wanted to do was go home.

But before she could say anything, someone shouted his name from afar.

"That's the company's new partner. I'll go say hello," Cedrick said. "Take your time exploring the mall. I'll find you in a bit."

She didn't know any of Cedrick's clients. She saw him shaking hands with a man. She lingered among the luxury, but nothing really tempted her.

"Miss, it's your turn," the sales assistant reminded her.

She realized that she had joined the line at a luxury store by mistake.

"Oh, no. Thanks," she uttered, stepping away immediately.

She wandered in the mall aimlessly. At a watch counter, she spotted Maricela.

When she saw the watch brand, her heart sank. She walked toward the counter instinctively.

Harlan was with Maricela. As she got closer, she could make out their conversation.

"You seem to like it, so buy it," Harlan said.

Maricela was torn. "Though Ced gave me the supplementary card and told me to spend however I liked, I couldn't bring myself to buy such an expensive watch!"

Lucille froze, unable to take another step, and her heart felt heavy.

The supplementary card...

His supplementary card...

"It's meant for you to use. Since when has Cedrick ever gone back on his word? We have been friends for so long. Don't you know him by now? When he gives, it's with all his heart," Harlan added.

"You're right." Maricela moved her wrist from every angle for Harlan to see.

Lucille also saw it.

"Do you like it, Harlan? I really loved this watch since college. Ced promised to buy it for me after graduation, but later..."

Later?

A bitter and self-mocking smile tugged at Lucille's lips.

Later, he gave her this watch on every birthday and anniversary.

At first, she thought even if Cedrick was heartless, he at least remembered her birthday and their anniversary. The same gifts seemed perfunctory, but they were valuable.

It turned out he was neither heartless nor careless. On the contrary, he was calculated. What he longed for had nothing to do with her.

"So Cedrick kept his promise. Anything you wish for is yours, and he can afford anything," Harlan pressed on.

"I'll buy it?" Maricela was visibly excited.

Meanwhile, Cedrick had finished exchanging pleasantries with his client. The client, there to pick up his wife, learned that Cedrick had gone shopping with his wife and offered to meet her.

Lucille saw Cedrick coming and quickly hid behind a pillar.

When Maricela spotted Cedrick, she waved her hand and exclaimed, "Ced, come over here."

Lucille watched Cedrick and his client make their way to Maricela.

Maricela shook Cedrick's arm and asked, "Ced, can I buy this watch?"

"Of course." Cedrick stared at Maricela affectionately. The sparkle in his eyes made his face lively, nothing like the dull expression her had with Lucille at home.

"Thank you, Ced! I'll buy it now!" Maricela flashed the supplementary card he had given her.

The client chuckled and said, "Mr. Maynard and Mrs. Maynard's love for each other is truly touching."

Mr. Maynard? Mrs. Maynard?

Cedrick and Maricela were both stunned, but they didn't try to explain.

After a brief moment of awkward silence, Cedrick and Maricela quickly embraced their new identity and laughed and talked with the client.

They made such a perfect couple.

Lucille took a picture. As she turned to leave, a wave of pain spread across her chest, making even her nose sting.

"Lucille!" Before she left the mall, someone called out to her.

She turned around and saw someone on the escalator, waving vigorously at her.

It was Meredith Gomez.

Her former teacher from the dance school.

"Prof. Gomez!" Lucille was over the moon.

Meredith hurried down the escalator, grabbed her hands, and exclaimed, "I knew it was you. How are you doing lately? It's been five years."

Lucille was a little sad.

She was a total failure. How could she possibly face her teacher?

"Are you busy? If not, let's go for some coffee," Meredith held her hand and asked.

She wasn't busy.

She used to isolate herself and reject everyone and everything because of low self-esteem. But unlocking that photo album had let light pierce through her gloomy sky.

She suddenly yearned for light to shine in her world.

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she nodded. "Sure."

Meredith led her to a coffee shop.

"Prof. Gomez, how's everyone doing?" She left all the class group chats. She had been disconnected from her world for so long.

Meredith cast her a discerning look. "Do you really want to know?"

Lucille secured a postgraduate spot but gave it up, which inevitably raised some doubts. Meredith even came to Seaston to visit her at once.

She nodded again.

Meredith proceeded to talk with her.

Five years were enough to change a person's life.

Some of her classmates joined dance troupes and became leading dancers. Some pursued advanced studies and earned their doctorates. Some remained at the universities as educators, mentoring the next generation.

Everyone had taken a significant step forward in their lives.

Except for her.

But starting today, she would change.

She would work tirelessly to catch up. Even if she could no longer dance, she would shine in other fields.

"Prof. Gomez, I won't let you down again." Her eyes brimmed with tears. She was worried that she would fall short of her teacher's expectations.

"I trust you." Meredith flashed a big smile.

Lucille leaned in and shared with Meredith that she would study abroad.

"That's wonderful! I know all students are brave!" Meredith said, holding her hand proudly. "Right. We have a European tour coming up. You should come along and get used to life in Europe."

"But my feet..." She couldn't dance again. She walked more slowly than anyone else. She even chose a theoretical subject for her postgraduate studies.

"Nothing's impossible! If it weren't for the accident, you would've been a member of our dance troupe. Just come with us. Help us run some errands, manage the stage, and do makeup."

Meredith spoke firmly, never once defining her as a cripple.

Lucille smiled. She liked being treated as an able person. She wasn't useless just because she couldn't dance. She could still accomplish other things.

Just then, Meredith's phone buzzed.

"It's my husband. Do you mind if he joins us?" Meredith inquired.

"Of course not," she giggled.

In fact, there was a moment when she got cold feet.

Five years of solitude had made her forget how to talk to strangers, but she knew she had to take that first step.

"I'll ask him to come," Meredith replied to the message.

However, to Lucille's surprise, Meredith's husband was Cedrick's new client, the man she had just seen.

"He came to Seaston to do business, and I tagged along. I didn't expect to meet you here. It must be fate."

As Meredith introduced her husband, Lucille noticed that Cedrick, Maricela, and Meredith's husband approached the coffee shop.

Then, they stopped at their table.

Lucille sat quietly, observing as Cedrick and Maricela's faces went from ashen to red.

"Come here. Take a seat. This is my wife. She's a dance teacher," Meredith's husband, Jaiden Wyatt, said politely. "And this is Cedrick Maynard, my business partner. Next to him is his wife."

When the word "wife" reached Cedrick's ear, his hand trembled. Maricela squirmed, unable to sit still. Both of them started nervously at Lucille.

Lucille only looked at them, her lips curling into a soft smile.

"This is my husband, Jaiden Wyatt." Then Meredith pointed at Lucille and said, "This is my student, once the greatest contender for the Novice Dance Cup."

Cedrick's eyes dimmed. He lowered his head, sneaking a glance at Lucille's leg.

Lucille saw the pain in his eyes in that moment.

How could it not be painful?

If she weren't crippled, he wouldn't have married her, and the woman sitting next to him would be his wife.

Lucille cracked a smile and said, "Prof. Gomez and Mr. Wyatt, in fact, I'm..."

"Ah!" Maricela let out a scream and cut Lucille short.

Lucille stopped talking.

Maricela spilled the coffee all over her.

"So sorry. That was rude of me," she muttered, quickly grabbing a tissue to clean up the mess.

"It's alright." Not knowing what was going on, Meredith still passed her tissues.

A cup of tea prevented her from telling the truth.

But if Lucille was determined, could Maricela still stop her?

From across the table, Cedrick threw Lucille a look of desperation, shook his head, and mouthed silently, "Don't tell them, please."

In fact, she didn't intend to drop the truth bomb. She teased them with half a sentence just to see them freak out.

While they were sitting on pins and needles, Lucille was perfectly at ease.

When Lucille raised her coffee, Meredith noticed the ring on her finger. "Lucille, are you married? Who's your husband?"

Cedrick and Maricela were both dumbfounded.

Lucille observed Cedrick's hand on the cup, a sardonic smile tugging at her lips. He never wore his ring. After the wedding, he took it off, and its whereabouts remained a mystery.

"Yes. I've been married for five years," Lucille said. "Maynard is my husband's last name."

"What a coincidence! He's a Maynard as well?" Cedrick asked promptly.

He implied that she should stop talking.

"Yes. He also runs a business, but not on your scale." Lucille sipped her coffee.

Through the cup, she noticed that Cedrick breathed a sigh of relief.

"What luck! Next time, bring your husband, and let's have a drink together." Because she was Meredith's student, Jaiden showed her extra respect and extended the invitation.

Cedrick paled.

Lucille found it hilarious. Over the past five years, his face hadn't displayed as many emotions as it had this afternoon alone.

Given the situation, Cedrick couldn't stay long. After chatting briefly, he claimed that he had other things to attend to and excused himself. But not wanting to leave Lucille alone in case she let the cat out of the bag, he shot her a stare and signaled her to leave.

Just then, Meredith got a call. It sounded like someone wanted to see her.

It would be inappropriate for Lucille to stay longer. She had to take her leave.

Cedrick asked, "Mr. and Prof. Gomez, where are you staying? I can give you a lift."

They were staying in the neighboring hotel. They didn't need a lift. Out of concern, Meredith asked where Lucille lived.

After a glance at Cedrick, Lucille told her the street name and the name of her apartment complex.

"Jaiden, I can hail a cab. Give Lucille a lift," Meredith said.

Cedrick cut in, "My wife and I live in the neighboring apartment complex of Ms. Radford's. We can take her home."

"Um..." Meredith hesitated.

Lucille accepted Cedrick's offer readily. "All right. Thanks, Mr. Maynard."

She stressed the form of address.

Cedrick frowned upon hearing it.

Lucille pretended not to notice it.

All settled, Cedrick, Lucille, and Maricela took the elevator to the underground garage.

Standing at the entrance to the garage, Maricela didn't go further. She said sweetly with a smile, "All right. Ced, go home with Lucille. I'll take a cab. Lucille, now, I officially return the title of Mrs. Maynard to you."

Return?

When did Lucille agree to lend it to her?

Shaking Lucille's arm, Maricela pleaded softly, "Lucille, don't be upset. What happened today was a misunderstanding, an accident. This cooperation means the world to Ced. Jaiden and his wife love each other very much. It's very important that the other party is also a devoted couple. So, Ced and I didn't clarify the misunderstanding. After all, you..."

She looked at Lucille's leg and continued with her body pressed against Lucille, "Lucille, you're not mad at us, are you?"

"Us?" Lucille sneered. "Us who?"

Maricela's face dimmed with embarrassment.

Lucille hated it when a stranger was so close to her. Besides, the stranger was Maricela. She withdrew her arm from Maricela's grasp.

She swore all she did was withdraw her arm, not with so much strength, and she never pushed Maricela. However, unaccountably, Maricela fell to the ground.

"Lucille!" Cedrick finally spoke up and called her name.

Among the three, Maricela was the most agitated. She rose from the ground swiftly and stood in Cedrick's way, pressing her body tightly against his. She pleaded, "Ced, calm down. Don't blame Lucille. I was too clumsy. Lucille only pushed me lightly. I lost my balance. Ced, don't fight with Lucille because of me. Please. I'll be sad..."

Maricela's performance wasn't so convincing. Only Cedrick would buy it. If one paid attention, there were flaws. While pretending to stop Cedrick, she deliberately showed her scraped wrist to him.

On the wrist was the new watch she had just bought, ten of which Lucille owned.

Cedrick frowned to see her scraped wrist, deeply concerned. "Lucille, what's your problem? Aren't you always meek and sensible? Why are you so mean to Mari?"

"I'm mean to her?" Lucille sneered. "How's it possible? She's Mrs. Maynard. Why would I be mean to her?"

"You..." Cedrick didn't know what to say. Then, he ignored Lucille, lowered his head, and asked Maricela, "Does it hurt?"

"No," Maricela replied coquettishly with a nasal. But then, she moved her scraped wrist to Cedrick's chin.

Cedrick bowed his head and blew gently at it. "Apply some ointment later in case it scars."

Lucille had never seen Cedrick so tender before.

In the car accident, she had multiple injuries. One of her legs was crippled. It was full of scars now. Even so, Cedrick had never displayed such a genuine, caring expression.

He had also asked her, "Does it hurt? Cry if it does."

It had nothing to do with concern. He just felt guilty.

Never had Cedrick taken care of her wounds so lovingly. When her body was battered, he ran away, he avoided her, he chose not to look.

"I'm OK. It really doesn't hurt." The sweetness in Maricela's voice thickened.

"Lucille," Cedrick raised his head and called, "look how understanding Mari is. Apologize to her."

"Why?" Lucille's eyes hurt, moistened, and blurred. She couldn't see Cedrick's face clearly. "She claimed to be my husband's wife, and I have to apologize to her?"

"Lucille! When did you become capable of such snarky remarks? Didn't you listen to Maricela? She told you Jaiden misunderstood. We pretended to be married for the cooperation. Will you give it a rest?"

Cedrick was angry again.

Every time Lucille offended his dear Maricela, he got mad.

Lucille shook her head, smiling. "No, Cedrick, you're wrong. I'll be glad to give it a rest. I didn't even lay bare your lie. You wanna be Mrs. Maynard? Be my guest. Cedrick, I told you I wanted a divorce. Just accept it. Then, everything will be fine."

She didn't expose the two because she didn't think it was necessary.

Her marriage was coming to an end, anyway. Why make more trouble for herself? If she had done otherwise, she'd have to explain her relationship with Maricela and Cedrick. It was unnecessary.

"Lucille! Your temper has become worse than ever!" Cedrick shouted more angrily. "Enough is enough! Apologize to Mari! Now!"

"No!" Lucille turned around to leave.

"Stop right there!" Cedrick strode over and grabbed her wrist. "Where do you think you're going? You pushed Mari. Her wrist was scraped. Don't you think you owe her an apology? Where are you going?"

Lucille looked at the hand gripping her wrist. Despair rose inside her, spreading like a flood.

Looking him in the eye, she replied sarcastically, "Indeed. I only lost a leg, but she scraped a wrist..."

Immense pain flitted across Cedrick's eyes and made him let go. He involuntarily took two steps back.

The minute she was free, Lucille turned around and ran toward the elevator.

How embarrassed she looked, she couldn't care less.

She couldn't let Cedrick see the tears streaming down her face.

From the day her leg was injured to the day they got married till now, when they'd been married for five years, this was the first time Lucille had attacked Cedrick with her injured leg.

She used to protect him cautiously, afraid to hurt his feelings. She didn't want him to feel guilty or be worried or remorseful. Not once had she mentioned her crippled leg or the accident from five years ago. Even when gossip and prejudice ate at her, she concealed her pain and nurtured her broken heart quietly.

All she wanted was to give him a warm, sweet, and comfortable home.

Lucille had hoped that, over time, her love for him would blossom beautifully eventually.

However...

Did Cedrick also feel the pain?

Lucille understood.

She'd be a burden to him for the rest of his life. He couldn't get rid of her. Of course, it was painful.

The woman he loved was right there, standing next to him. But because of Lucille, he couldn't marry her. Of course, it was painful.

He was conflicted, torn between his conscience and the impulse to get free of her. Of course, it was painful.

"So, Cedrick, let me go. OK?" Lucille mused.

She went home alone and put the ten watch boxes before her.

She stared at them for a long time.

For a moment, she wished to smash each of them against the wall.

In the end, she couldn't do it.

Impulsion wasn't the solution.

When her composure returned, she tapped into a second-hand goods app and searched for a used luxury buyer. Before long, she found a local buyer, who agreed to come and pick up the watches at 10 a.m. the next day.

By 10 a.m., Mylee had gone to the farmers' market.

After the watches were sold, Lucille turned on her computer and searched for the visa application procedure.

Meredith's dance troupe would set off in a month. Lucille must get prepared for her departure now.

Sitting at the computer, she attentively read one article after another, her emotions churning. The world had never been so serene yet so exciting. Time ticked by, and the night deepened.

Engrossed, she didn't even realize Cedrick had come back.

"What are you doing?" he asked at the door. Spooked, Lucille hurriedly closed her laptop.

Cedrick was his usual nice self, as if nothing had happened. He walked up to Lucille and asked softly, "Were you watching a show? What show is so interesting as to keep you up?"

He was just making conversation.

The websites were still open. Lucille pressed her hands against her laptop tightly. "Nothing you like."

"I haven't seen it. How do you know I don't like it?" Cedrick reached out to open her laptop.

Certainly, Lucille wouldn't let him. He couldn't see the websites she had just visited.

Thinking she was still mad, Cedrick gave up. He crouched and looked at her. "Still mad?"

"No." She was disappointed, in despair, furious, but not mad.

Mad meant she'd forgive him if he mollified her. The marriage was still hopeful. However, she had no more expectations of her marriage.

She'd been giving and giving for five years. She was done.

"Lucille, nothing is going on between Maricela and me. She's my alumnae and friend. That's all. She's just returned from abroad. As a friend, I attended her reception. The misunderstanding at the mall was an accident. Trust me." He spoke as patiently and tenderly as ever.

Lucille remained silent. He added, "We planned to have dinner with your parents today. It was ruined. Shall we take a rain check?"

She shook her head.

She didn't wanna have dinner with her parents.

Her parents and younger brother would only say that, with a limp, she was in great luck to marry Cedrick.

"You don't wanna visit? It's been over a month since we last visited your parents. Don't you miss them?"

His voice softened further. Lucille peered at him. Behind his tenderness, there was no affection.

Tenderness was like an innate program of his. It was always there.

"Cedrick," she said, "aren't you tired?"

Cedrick was surprised, seemingly having trouble understanding what she was talking about.

Lucille smiled bitterly, "You're in love with someone else but pretend to care about me every day. Aren't you tired?"

Cedrick gaped. "I'm not...

"Cedrick, stop lying. Some things are gross. To put them on the table will be humiliating for both of us. A divorce will do us both good. Seriously, Maricela is what you want for a Mrs. Maynard..."

"Lucille!" Cedrick interrupted her. "Are you still on this? I've explained it many times."

"Cedrick, it's not I who thinks of Mari all the time." She scrutinized him. "It's you."

Cedrick was dumbstruck. "Lucille..."

"We both know that, right?" She tried to stay calm, to make him believe she was talking with him earnestly, and that she wasn't throwing a tantrum. "It's time to put an end to our five-year marriage. Cedrick, let's part our ways with dignity, and let bygones be bygones."

Cedrick stared at her for a while before standing up. "Lucille, you're overthinking. Maricela's return won't change a thing. You'll know it someday. It's late. Have some rest."

"Cedrick, I know you only married me out of guilt. Well, you don't have to feel guilty anymore. I don't need a marriage based on guilt. Set me free, and set yourself free..."

Before she could finish speaking, Cedrick took off his jacket and walked into the bathroom.

Lucille looked at the jacket he had flung on the couch. If it were before, she'd have put it away, found his robe, and hung it from the door to the bathroom.

But now, she didn't move.

In the past five years, due to her limp, she didn't have a job. She couldn't increase the income of this family. It was Cedrick who took care of everything. She was like a useless piece of furniture in the house, of no help to his career or domestic life. But still, she hoped to do something for him, however trivial it was.

Actually, she forgot something. Probably, he didn't need to be taken care of. What he wanted was a capable and pretty wife who could make him proud and receive a client with him.

Why was he being stubborn, then? Why was he holding on to a loveless marriage?

Cedrick went to bed after the shower, refusing to talk.

Lucille said no more.

Never mind. Every time they talked, it was exhausting. She'd rather think about her future and work hard for the life she wanted. When she was ready to leave, it didn't matter whether he divorced her or not.

Lying in bed, Lucille put Cedrick and Maricela behind her. She thought of her plan. One month later, she'd tour Magraica with Meredith's troupe first. Then, the new semester would begin.

She looked at Cedrick, who was sound asleep beside her.

In the dim light, she could only vaguely see his silhouette. There was space for three people between them. It was too far a distance.

"Cedrick, I don't blame you anymore. I hope you'll be happy after I leave," she said inwardly.

The good thing was, since they had never slept together, they didn't have a child. Otherwise, their life would've been much harder.

Who knew the one thing that had once almost devastated her turned out to be a blessing in disguise?

She slept splendidly that night. The next morning, she woke up to the sound of someone walking beside the bed.

She opened her eyes, and Cedrick was sitting on the edge of the bed.