Chapter 8
The house was finally sorted, and Lucille couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. The weight on her shoulders lightened considerably in that moment }
While signing the contract, she noticed that the day she would finalize the property papers coincided with her departure date.”
Perfect timing, she thought. This way, she could avoid explaining everything to Ayrton and Walter
The moment her signature graced the paper, a sense of ease washed over her. Everything was finally coming to an end.” Now, only one last thing remained.
She made a trip to the mall, carefully selecting a massage device and a pair of emerald bracelets, and headed to Fiona’s house.!!
As soon as Lucille stepped inside, Fiona enveloped her in a warm embrace. “Oh, Lucille, I’m really going to miss you. You’ve been in Sea City for so many years, like a daughter to me. I just can’t imagine you not being around.”
Fiona dabbed at her tears, clutching Lucille’s hands tightly, unwilling to let go.
Lucille felt a pang of sadness but managed a comforting smile. “I’m going to miss you too. But we’re family, and with planes and trains,
you too. B it’s so easy to visit. We’ll see each other at Christmas for sure.”
Fiona, acknowledging the truth in her words, gradually pulled herself together and sat Lucille down on the couch.
“Now, you sit tight. I took a few days off knowing you’d be leaving soon, You have to stay here a bit longer, and I’ll cook all your favorite meals!”
Without giving Lucille a chance to decline, Fiona hurried into the kitchen, preparing a feast of Lucille’s beloved dishes, which she brought out with a smile.
Watching her aunt bustling about, Lucille couldn’t help but grin. She agreed to stay for a few days, knowing it would make her aunt happy.
As her departure day loomed closer, Lucille reluctantly bid farewell to Fiona.
*Aunt Fiona, I really have to go now. In three days, Ill be heading back to Axelvale City for the wedding.”
Fiona, holding back tears and reluctance, nodded repeatedly, pressing an envelope of gift money into Lucille’s hand. “I have surgeries lined up that day, lives depend on it, so I can’t make it. This is my blessing, Lucille, you must be happy.”l
Lucille, eyes glistening, accepted the gift with respect “I will. Grandpa chose him for me, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and Ayrton and Walter walked out, flanking Claire. They immediately noticed Lucille’s tearful goodbye with Fiona, and their hearts sank, blurting out, “Lucille, Fiona, why are you crying?”
Seeing them, Lucille quickly wiped her tears and calmly replied, “Nothing really, just saying goodbye to my aunt. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her, and now I have to leave.
Hearing this, Ayrton and Walter both exhaled in relief, their concems dissipating.
“Well, we’re all in Sea City, just a stone’s throw away. If you miss her, you can visit anytime,” Ayrton remarked.
Fiona, seeing the two still in the dark, wondered how they’d react when they eventually found out. She looked like she was about to say something, but Lucille swiftly shifted the focus to Claire_X
“So, what’s going on here?”
Ayrton and Walter snapped back to the present, a hint of nervousness in their demeanor, both rushing to explain.
“It’s Thanksgiving today, and Claire was all alone, so we brought her back to celebrate with us.”
“Yeah, don’t get the wrong idea. We tried calling you, but you weren’t picking up.”
Their urgency was understandable.
In the past, during Thanksgiving, they would compete to bring Lucille home. After all, bringing a girl home for such a family–oriented holiday meant she was someone they saw as a future wife.
Lucille, feeling a twinge of exasperation, had always split her time between the Lewis and Quinn families.
But this year, they had brought Claire instead. The implication was clear.!!
Lucille chose not to dwell on it, simply stating, “I see, that sounds nice. You all enjoy. Fill just head back and start packing.”
With that, she turned to leave, planning to catch a ride!
Just then, Ayrton and Walter called out to her.
“Lucille!”
