Chapter 7
Lucille finally caught her breath, leaning against the wall with her inhaler clutched tightly in her hand. She covered her face, trying to block out the lingering pollen.
Before she could even take a moment to rest, Ayrton’s accusing voice pierced the air.X
“Why are you so against Claire? She just gave us those flowers, and you wanted to smash them!”
Walter’s voice followed, equally charged with anger
“Lucille, you’ve been so unreasonable lately. What’s gotten into you?“)
Lucille took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She was shaking with a mix of anger and frustration. So many thoughts raced through her mind, but all she managed to say was, “I’ve changed? Is it me who’s changed, or is it you? I’m asthmatic and allergic to pollen. Did you forget?“,
Her voice was weak, but her words hit Ayrton and Walter like a thunderclap.
They used to be the most concerned about her. Whenever Lucille had an asthma attack, they would be the first to rush to her side, even if it meant skipping school. They would stay by her bedside, making sure she was taken care of. No one could pry them away back then. But now, they had forgotten something so important.
Maybe realizing their mistake, Ayrton’s face shifted from anger to a shade of regret “I’m sorry”
Walter, remembering past episodes with Lucille, took a step forward. “Are you okay now? I’m sorry, Claire picked those flowers herself. She meant well, and that’s why I got so defensive.”
Lucille didn’t respond. As she used her inhaler and her color returned to normal, Ayrton and Walter hurriedly took the flowers outside For days after, neither Ayrton nor Walter returned home. Their rooms stayed dark.
Lucille didn’t care, she was busy packing her things. As she finished, she looked around the house. Originally, she bought this place, and then Ayrton and Walter purchased the houses on either side to be closer to her, connecting them into one big house. Now only a third of It was hers. Selling it would be complicated }
Finally, Ayrton and Walter returned, just as a realtor arrived to discuss the sale with Lucille.
Seeing a stranger in the house, Ayrton’s face turned cold. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
The realtor, Paul, was visibly nervous but quickly explained, “Hello, gentlemen. I’m the realtor. The owner here is looking to sell the house. I
Sell the house?
Ayrton and Walter exchanged shocked glances. Their faces fell, ready to object, but Lucille came down the stairs.
“I’m the one selling the house. I was just about to discuss it with you.”
Hearing this, Ayrton and Walter felt a pang of worry. They spoke in unison,
son, “Why sell it? Aren’t we living well here?“!
Walter, recalling the recent incident, pressed further, “Are you still upset about what happened a few days ago?“%
He seemed panicked, offering an apology. “We didn’t mean to forget about your pollen allergy. Do you really have to be so drastic?” Lucille shook her head calmly. “It’s not about that.”
It’s about you I don’t want any ties with you anymore.
Though she thought this, she didn’t voice it
Instead, she said, “You know I’ve quit my job. Il need to move for the new one. Besides, we’ve lived together for so long, there’s no need to slay glued together“:
Ayrton frowned, reluctant to agree. “If it’s about work, Walter and I can drive you. You’re used to us being around, why separate now?“) “Exactly
Seeing that she couldn’t persuade them, Lucille pressed her temples in frustration. What was with their stubbornness?!
y even if things get tough, we can arrange for a driver. I don’t agree with splitting up Walter chimed in k
he played her trump card. “Fine, then let’s sell this place and buy a bigger house. We can even have Claire move in with us.”
At the mention of Claire, the two brightened up and hesitated
Ulturnately, Walter couldn’t resist the idea and was the first to concede, “Well, if that’s the case, maybe it’s not so bad.“)
Ayrton, however looked at her with a complex expression, “You’d actually want Claire to move in?“)}
For some reason, he felt there was more to this than met the eye. But before he could ponder it further, Lucille chuckled lightly. “Of course, why wouldn’t I? We’re all friends.”z
She made the decision swiftly, “Let’s do it. Sell this house and get a new or
one.”
Chapter 7
With that declaration, Ayrton and Walter fell silent, no longer opposing the idea.
