The Fifth Year of Marriage to Him novel Chapter 246

Chapter 246

Unseen by her, Cedrick hadn’t gone far. After she boarded, he appeared on the third–floor balcony of a waterfront ho- tel, watching her boat gradually fade into the distance.

Behind him, Maricela approached, following his gaze to the departing vessel.

“Cedrick.”

She said, “She’s gone.”

Cedrick didn’t respond.

“Cedrick, you still have us.”

Maricela stepped beside him, standing shoulder to shoulder. “Cedrick, I’ll never leave again, truly. We… we’ll never abandon you.”

Boats came and went daily in Canal Town. In the blink of an eye, that particular boat disappeared. Identical vessels drifted across the water; there was no telling which one carried her.

Cedrick lowered his head with a bitter chuckle. “Yes. Actually… I should be happy.

She found her own path. Isn’t that what I hoped for?”

“Exactly, Cedrick. Did you really plan to spend a lifetime with someone who doesn’t love you?”

“A lifetime?”

Cedrick’s gaze drifted toward the far, far horizon.

Maricela’s eyes darkened at his words, but she quickly masked it with sorrowful regret. “Cedrick, honestly… Lucille was just too ungrateful. Any other girl would be overjoyed to have a husband like you–lavishing her with endless wealth. She’d treasure you like a precious gem.”

Cedrick smiled, the expression tinged with a hint of bitterness.

Maricela frowned, then plastered on a bright smile. “Cedrick, forget it. Let her go. Find someone who truly loves you, someone who’ll make you happy.”

Cedrick finally pulled his gaze back, his eyes settling on her face.

“Cedrick…” Maricela smiled up at him.

“Let’s head back.”

Cedrick said, “Been away from the company too long. Feeling uneasy.”

12:08

Chapter 246

“Oh…” Maricela blinked, momentarily stunned. “Right, yes! Perfect timing. I… I miss Harlan and David too.”

“Mhm.”

Cedrick immediately pulled out his phone to book flights. “Where are you flying to?”

Maricela froze again. “I… of course with you. Aren’t you returning to Seaston?”

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Cedrick scanned flight options, head down. “I need to stop by Capital City first.”

“You… why go there?”

“Lucille’s dance tour started from Capital City. Grandma might be there too. I’ll bring her home.”

Cedrick selected a flight to Capital City and looked up at her. “You heading back to Seaston?”

Maricela fought to control her twisting features, forcing a smile. “Fine. We’ll wait for you in Seaston.”

Cedrick nodded, confirmed the booking, and paid. “You take the earlier flight. No point waiting alone. Mine departs two hours after yours. Let’s go. Need to leave for the airport now.”

“Okay… alright…” Maricela’s voice trembled.

Out of sheer fury.

That old bastard again!

To get to the airport, she first had to leave Canal Town, then take an hour–and–a–half train ride to another city before catching her flight.

Throughout the journey, one sentence kept echoing in Maricela’s ears: Bring Grandma back, and Lucille will return… She couldn’t remember how many times Cedrick had mentioned Grandma in front of her, nor when he’d said those exact words, but they left a deep, indelible mark…

After long contemplation, she pulled out her phone and began texting, one message after another:

Head to Capital City. Find Lucille’s grandma. Also, do you recognize these people?

I don’t know where Lucille’s grandma is. Find her. Must locate her within ten hours.

Ten minutes later, the reply came: Flight to Capital City handled. Arriving in three hours.

Maricela let out a sigh of relief.

Three hours versus over ten hours–which was faster?

Meanwhile, Lucille traveled with unexpected lightness, as if finally freed from invisible shackles. In the next city, she

reunited with her aunt.

The tour group’s itinerary didn’t include her aunt’s city, but Lucille had kept in touch and arranged their meeting there.