“Lucille!”
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Lucille turned around, and both Ayrton and Walter breathed a sigh of relief when they realized she wasn’t upset.\
Ayrton took a few steps forward and grabbed her hand. “You don’t have to pack your luggage. It’s too much work. I’ll have my driver com over, and we’ll move to the new house together”
Walter nodded in agreement
In that moment, Lucille felt a flicker of the way things used to be, back when their world revolved around her.”
She remembered those youthful days when she loved to chat and they loved to laugh. But now, those youthful promises seemed as fleeting as moming mist
Lucille glanced over at Claire and shook her head. “No need. I have things I need to sort out myself.”
With that, and without a care for their reactions, she turned and left.
Back home, after organizing her belongings and freshening up, Lucille had just settled into bed when Claire’s call came through. Her voice, dripping with a smug tone, echoed through the receiver.
so kind to
“Lucille, I went to both the Lewis and Quinn families tonight. Ayrton and Walter’s parents were so family heirlooms. Do you think they might be…
to me. They even offered me their
Lucille cut off her gloating with a calm, “I’m not interested in your affairs. You don’t with me”
need to f
d to tell m
me about them. They have nothing to do
With that, she hung up.
The day before she was to leave, Lucille went out
She had arranged to meet her best friend, Laura, for a meal.
Lucille didn’t have many friends in Sea City. Growing up, Ayrton and Walter had always kept a tight rein on her social circle. No boyfriends, no love letters, and even her female friendships were scrutinized.
Back then, they’d plead, “Lucille, aren’t we enough for you? You’re so wonderful. I’m afraid even girls might fall for you.”
Their possessiveness was overwhelming, as if they wanted to be the only ones in her world
But now, it was them who were pushing her away.
At a newly opened bistro, Laura had already been waiting for a while. Seeing Lucille, she enveloped her in a big hug, the thought of her leaving stirring a bittersweet ache.
“Lucille, I can’t believe you’re heading back to Axelvale City to get married. I’m going to miss you so much. I always thought you’d end up marrying Ayrton or Walter and staying here in Sea City, so we could keep hanging out.“!
Lucille gave a small smile. “They have their choices, and I have mine.”
Laura sighed, reminded of Claire, her expression darkening with irritation.
“You were always so good to Claire, but she…”
Lucille interrupted with a laugh, “Let’s not waste breath on people who don’t matter. Once I’m married, I won’t see her anymore, and whatever she does won’t concern me
Just as she finished speaking, Claire walked into the bistro.X
Since Lucille and Laura’s table was near the entrance, Claire had overheard part of their conversation. Intrigued, she approached them “Lucille, who’s getting married? Can I come? I’ve never been to a wedding!”
Lucille, accustomed to Claire’s lack of boundaries and antics, remained calm. After all, she was leaving soon.
Laura, on the other hand, was visibly annoyed. She tossed her cutlery onto the table and shot Claire a glare.
“My wedding! And no, you’re not invited. Is that answer good enough for you?“)
“Senously, do you have no sense of boundaries? Do we even know you well enough for you to be this nosy? Are you the type to taste test the street vendors hot dogs just to check the mustard?“)
Laura’s voice was loud, and her words were harshä
ed to Ayrton and Wall
and Walter, who had just entered behind
Claire flinched, looking startled as tears welled up in her eyes. Immediately, she turned to her, her eyes silently pleading
Ayrton, unaware of what had transpired, saw Claire’s tearful face and instinctively frowned, pulling her into his arms. ‘As long as I’m here, you can go to any wedding you want he assured her.
Walter chimed in eagerly, “And me too! Forget weddings. If you want the stars, Ill climb a ladder to fetch you one. Don’t pay attention to people who don’t matter.”
With one man on each side, they managed to coax Claire into a smile once more.
