Chapter 160
But not because he hadn’t touched her in five years–that wound had healed, leaving only relief. Otherwise, having children would’ve made cutting ties far harder.
What stung was him sharing their most private marital matter with Maricela.
Yet the sting faded almost instantly. Expected, really. Hadn’t he told Harlan too? About his lack of interest?
But why flaunt it in her face?
Her phone kept pinging.
“Oh, guess where we are?
In the new apartment Cedrick bought me!
And pricier bags, pricier watches–who do
You won’t take these back!”
Photos followed:
you think got them?
Her new home. Her designer bags. Them toasting in the living room. A cake reading: “Congrats Maricela on your housewarming!”
What Is This Attitude of Yours
“By the way, have you tried this Tea Custard?”
Maricela sent another screenshot from her Little Red Book: Thanks, darling, for driving 40 km to get me the trendiest dessert. While they discuss work, I sneakily enjoy my little treat.
She’d almost decided to walk away clean, letting them part ways peacefully. After all, Cedrick had given her a for- tune–enough to ensure her comfort for life if she avoided trouble. She genuinely planned to let them be.
She even knew Cedrick would take good care of Maricela after she left. That was certain. But by then, she’d have started anew, refusing to waste another breath on trash.
Why was Maricela doing this?
Flaunting the mistress role so boldly?
And provoking her, again and again–what for?
Cedrick’s two–faced betrayal, breaking their agreement so soon–was he that desperate?
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Since Maricela dared her to “try taking it back this time,” Lucille guessed Cedrick hadn’t gifted it directly. He wasn’t that foolish; the money must’ve bypassed him.
Lucille clenched her phone. She truly had no time left for these two.
She reopened Maricela’s Little Red Book, screenshotting and screen–recording every post.
Then, she replied to Maricela’s text: Maricela, isn’t this going too far?
You were the one who abandoned Cedrick. Now that I’m married to him, why stir trouble?
Maricela’s reply came instantly, oozing smugness: So what?
Cedrick loves me. No matter how far I go or how long I’m away, I’ll always be the one he holds dearest.
Lucille: But he’s my husband now. We’ve been married five years, registered at City Hall, with a marriage license- legally protected.
Maricela: Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! So what?
Go cherish that license all you want!
As long as Cedrick is mine.
Lucille: What you’re doing is cheating–morally condemned, never out in the open.
Maricela: Cheating?
We’re open about it! Back at the company, who didn’t treat me as Mrs. Maynard?
Which of Cedrick’s brothers didn’t call me sis–in–law?
Besides, he’ll divorce you sooner or later. Then I’ll be rightful.
Lucille: Aren’t you afraid I’ll show Cedrick these messages?
Maricela: Go ahead! So what? Cedrick won’t blame me. He understands me–he never will.
Lucille decided it was enough and stopped replying.
Soon, another message came: Cat got your tongue?
Mad?
Lucille casually replied: Yes, very angry. How can you be so shameless?
Maricela fired back a classic line: The unloved one clinging to marriage is the shameless one. Cedrick doesn’t love you–only me.
Enough. Lucille had played along long enough. She wouldn’t reply again; this was sufficient.
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Of course, showing Cedrick these records was pointless.
He’d only react two ways.
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First, as Maricela said, Cedrick wouldn’t blame her at all. Instead, he’d find every excuse to justify her actions. Lucille had no interest in hearing that nonsense anymore.
Second, what if Cedrick suddenly grew a conscience and some brains, saw through Maricela’s true colors, and came crawling back to her? Wouldn’t that be even messier?

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