Chapter 2 However , five years later , the name " Mari " was still burned into his brain , so deep he moaned it when he was jerking off . She was such a fool to think time could change a heart . Lucille didn't sleep at all , reading that email on her phone again and again . It was a grad - school offer from overseas , and she had planned to ask Cedrick if he was okay with her accepting it . Now it looked like she didn't need to ask . After five years of marriage and endless sleepless nights , finally , she was about to be free . When Cedrick got up , Lucille kept her eyes shut , feigning sleep . She heard him tell the housekeeper , Mylee Hopkins , " I've got a business dinner tonight . Tell Lucille not to wait up . " With that , he stepped back into the bedroom to check on her . She buried her head under the blanket , her silent tears soaking into the pillow . On normal mornings , she'd lay out his clothes , so he could simply slip into them . But today , she didn't . He dressed himself in the walk - in closet and left for the office . Only then did she dare open her swollen , burning eyes . Just then , her phone buzzed . It was her alarm . Time to study Porilinese . After the wedding , her bad leg kept her stuck at home . She chopped each day into chunks and then killed them any way she could . She turned off the alarm and started mindlessly scrolling through apps . Her mind was in a fog , so nothing went in . 09:24 Chapter 2 Then , a video on Facebook caught her eye . сус . The face looked way too familiar . 268 Vouchers She checked the name - Mari - Sca . Great , the very last person she wanted to see . Thanks , Big Data ... The video was posted last night . Lucille tapped play , and party music blasted out . " One , two , three ! Welcome back , Mari ! Cheers ! " someone exclaimed . It was Cedrick's voice . He was actually shouting with joy . Cedrick drank even though he swore he wouldn't . Lucille could tell he was tipsy . But screaming his lungs out ? That didn't sound like him at all . Back in high school , he was the cold , top - of - the - class heart - throb who was always serious with his studies . He was so frosty that he wouldn't even glance at the girls who brought him water on the sports field . Later , as her husband , he was courteous and calm , never letting his emotions show . He never smiled or got mad , so detached that when she accidentally touched his fingers , they felt ice- cold . The camera swept across the room and caught Cedrick tipsy , eyes sparkling , raising his glass to the lens with a big grin . " Welcome back , Mari ! " So he could laugh . He could get fired up . And he could use cute nicknames . But not with Lucille . " Mrs. Maynard , you getting up now ? " Mylee asked through the door . Lucille's day usually ran like clockwork . Seeing her still in bed , Mylee figured she might need help . After all , her bad leg was no secret . 09:24 Chapter 2 : 288 Moustiers Lucille put her phone aside . " Yeah , coming . " Her voice came out raspy , like she had been crying . Breakfast was bread and butter . She ate one slice and quit . " What would you like for lunch and dinner ? " Mylee handed her a glass of milk . " Anything ... " She almost said the usual " anything Cedrick likes , " then swallowed the rest . Mylee got it anyway . They had this talk every day . " Mr. Maynard said he's not coming back for dinner tonight . He has got a business thing . " Lucille nodded . Sure , he wouldn't . She had seen Maricela's post on Facebook : a seven - day schedule of who was buying her meals . " College buddies are the best . Look at all these cute guys lining up to spoil me ! " Most days , Lucille studied Porilinese for two hours , then art theory for a few more . If she didn't keep busy , how else would she survive the endless wait ? Just sit around for a man who never came home ? She had done that before . Waiting sucked . But today was different . Her offer came in the school's final wave . She had to lock it down now . So the first thing on her list today was to pay the deposit . When her phone flashed the bank's " payment successful , " she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding . One day closer to the day she'd walk away from Cedrick for good . By evening , she changed clothes and headed for the door . Mylee looked surprised . " Mrs. Maynard , you're going out ? " Without her husband , Lucille hardly ever left the house . " An old college friend is in town for a show . We're gonna catch up , " she replied . Truth was , she had booked a hotel near the test center . 09:24 Chapter 2 288 Vouchers She was retaking the Porilinese Test tomorrow morning . If she tried to get there from home in rush hour , she'd probably be late . She fell short a few months back , but the application deadline hit , so she sent it anyway . Then she got in , and she quickly rebooked the test to score higher . Luckily , the school let her update her score later . " But ... " Mylee glanced at her leg . " Want me to tag along ? " " No , it's girls only . Having you around would kill the vibe . " Lucille's face gave nothing away . " I'd better tell Mr. Maynard , " Mylee insisted . If something went wrong , it was on her . Chapter 3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!