The Fifth Year of Marriage to Him novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Cedrick’s eyes darted away.

“Oh?

Not for me?” Lucille’s smile widened. “Then who else in your house needs a gynecologist?”

His expression turned thunderous.

She pressed on, “Heard they do massages and apply herbal compresses there. Mr. Maynard, what am I supposed to do if nobody helps me apply mine?”

“What are you implying?”

The subtext hung thick between them.

“Oh, and can I have the medicine delivered to

Lucille’s faint smile dripped with sarcasm.

your office?”

“Don’t worry. You left the address and number. I’ll take it on time when it arrives. No need to supervise me.”

Cedrick finally snapped. “What’s your problem?

You saw us today?”

Lucille smiled without answering.

“Saw me, didn’t greet me, just spied?

Lucille, you’re this scheming?”

His tone shifted from confusion to accusation, then a cold laugh. “No wonder Maricela’s no match for you.”

Lucille almost chuckled. She was the scheming one?

“Cedrick.”

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She smiled. “If you insist I’m scheming, I’m scheming for you. You already have a wife, Where would your dignity go if I showed up?”

“What’s with this passive–aggressive crap?”

Cedrick stepped closer. “Maricela suffered domestic violence from her ex over fertility issues. Infertility haunts her. As a friend, I brought her to see a good doctor. What’s wrong with that?

Are you really jealous?”

Lucille kept smiling, shaking her head. “No, not jealous. You’ve got it wrong, Cedrick. Whether you supervise her medication or massage her stomach–that’s your freedom. I won’t interfere. But I have my rights too. Just… after massaging her, don’t touch me with those hands. You disgust me.”

“What did you say?”

Cedrick’s voice turned dangerous. “Say it again.”

Fine. She’d be blunter this time.

She lifted her chin. “I said you disgust me.”

“You… utterly unreasonable!”

He seethed. “Listen, Lucille. Trying to frame Maricela or get her fired over this accident? Impossible!

I won’t allow it!

Don’t throw eggs at stones. Picking a fight with me? Think you can win?”

His phone rang. He pulled it out. Both saw the screen: Maricela.

“Hey.”

His anger vanished, voice suddenly gentle. “Maricela?”

“Cedrick…” Maricela’s sweet, timid voice floated through. “Where are you?

I’m scared…”

“Don’t be. I’ve got you.”

Cedrick spoke while staring at Lucille. “Told you I’ll hire the best lawyers. You’ll be fine. I’m

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coming now.

288 Vouchers

He backed toward the door, phone at his car, eyes locked on Lucille. At the threshold, he shot her a final glare before turning and rushing off

Lucille sat in her chair, watching him leave. Her smile never faded.

This afternoon, she endured rehabilitation–agony like her bones being remolded. Not once did he ask: Are you okay?

She sat drenched in sweat on the floor. Not once did he ask: What happened?

Why are you down there?

Yet for Maricela, one “I’m scared” sent him racing over.

Cedrick… I’ve been scared too. Did you know that?

But I’m not afraid of anything now…

She sat on the ground for half an hour before slowly feeling some strength return. Forcing herself up, she changed clothes and took a taxi to Grandma’s house.

By the time she arrived, darkness had fallen. The aroma of Grandma’s stir–frying wafted through the yard. She sniffled–if anything could still bring tears to her eyes these days, besides the future she was about to embrace, it was Grandma’s unconditional love.

Cedrick didn’t come that evening.

She felt no sadness at all. Even knowing he might be at Maricela’s place, massaging her stomach, her heart remained undisturbed. Instead, she found relief in his absence. With limited time left before going abroad, she cherished this chance to be fully present with Grandma.