The Fifth Year of Marriage to Him novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Her head swam, Cedrick’s image doubling before her.

As the two blurred figures approached, she grabbed her neighbor’s sleeve–too late. Cedrick settled firmly beside her.

“Cedrick! Three penalty drinks for being this late!”

Billy Cruz slid three full glasses before him.

“Sorry, man.”

Cedrick’s arm draped around Lucille’s shoulders. He tilted her chin up, studying her glazed eyes. “Came to pick up my wife. Still need to drive,”

“Call a ride!”

He grinned. “Can’t risk it. Look at her–you all got my wife drunk. If I drink too, who’ll take care of her?”

Lucille was tipsy, but she could still hear every word clearly and knew exactly what was happening. The alcohol just made her reactions more blunt and unrestrained. Her first instinct was to shove Cedrick away, muttering, “I don’t need you looking after me. Get lost.”

Pure instinct drove her to reject him, pure instinct made her say it.

“Lucille, you’re really drunk. Let’s

go

home.”

Cedrick tried to scoop her up.

“I won’t get up… won’t go home…” Lucille struggled in his arms.

“Get it?

Lucille’s not going home!”

Billy shoved Cedrick’s shoulder.

Cedrick had half–lifted Lucille when the push sent him crashing back onto the couch.

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Chapter 127

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Emma suddenly sensed the tension. Billy had drunk heavily tonight–probably wasted by now. Worried things might escalate, she said, “Let’s call it a night. We’ve had our fun, time to head back.”

“No!”

Billy refused, planting his hand firmly on Cedrick’s shoulder. “Nobody leaves till we finish this bottle!”

Cedrick, sharp as a tack from years in business, caught the hostility even faster than Emma. His expression darkened. “Billy, I’ll let this slide because you’re drunk. But rein it in. Don’t go crazy.”

“I’m crazy?

I need to rein it in?”

Billy’s eyes flashed with undisguised fury. “Cedrick, you’re the one who needs to watch yourself!”

He grabbed Cedrick’s collar.

Cedrick clamped down hard on Billy’s wrist. “Billy, you picking a fight tonight?”

“Yeah!”

Billy yelled, “I am picking a fight!

Cedrick, what the hell did you do to Lucille?

What did you do to her?”

He was roaring now, eyes bloodshot.

Cedrick’s gaze

turned razor–sharp, veins bulging on the hand gripping Billy’s wrist. “Billy, my wife lives in luxury–eats the best, wears the best, owns a mansion. I treat her like a princess. Since when do you meddle in our marriage?”

“Oh really?”

Billy didn’t buy it, yanking Cedrick off the couch. “Then tell me why Lucille’s like this! What happened to her foot? She’s a dancer! When she leaped on stage, she was light as air—like a swan! What did you do? Did you even take care of her? Why did marriage break her? Five years! You’ve hidden her away, saying she didn’t want to socialize! You’re lying! Did you hit

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Chapter 127

her at home?”

“My wife and I are fine! Her foot is her private business–none of yours! Billy! Remember your place! Don’t play games in front of my wife!”

Cedrick wrenched himself free. A button flew from his collar as Billy stumbled back.

Already unsteady from drink, Billy staggered two steps and crashed into the coffee table. Bottles and plates shattered everywhere.

“Cedrick!

I’ve wanted to beat you up for ages!”

Billy scrambled off the table and lunged at him.

Classmates feared trouble and rushed to hold him back. “Cedrick, take Lucille and go!

He’s drunk! You’re sober–stay calm!

Don’t let this escalate!”

Cedrick tugged his collar, shooting Billy a cold glare. He wrapped his arm around Lucille’s waist and pulled her up. “Let’s go, sweetheart. No more gatherings like this.”

Lucille was practically dragged out, half–carried by Cedrick.

“Why won’t you let Lucille join reunions?”