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From now on, she was Jeanette, and I was Vivian.
I generously handed over Jeanette’s happy life to her,
Without looking back, I left the villa and returned to Vivian’s home.
Earlier, I had left in such a rush that I hadn’t noticed my surroundings. But as I opened the door again, the sight before me left me stunned.
The living room was an absolute mess. Takeout boxes of all sizes covered the table, clothes, and socks were strewn across the floor, and chairs were toppled over. The entire room looked like it had just been hit by a disaster.
At that moment, I finally understood what Vivian meant when she said her life was “rotting away.”
But life is shaped by one’s own choices.
And I would never allow my life to become a complete wreck.
I rolled up my sleeves and bent down to clean. For the entire afternoon, I ran up and down the apartment seven or eight times, finally managing to clear out all the trash.
By the time I was done, the sky outside had already darkened.
This body was indeed heavy. After a full day of work, I was utterly exhausted.
I forced myself into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and changed into clean clothes. Just
as I stepped out of the bedroom, I heard the sound of a key turning in the door lock.
A man walked in.
He took a step into the living room and suddenly stopped.
He was tall and slender, not particularly handsome, but fair–skinned and pleasant–looking, with a natural warmth to him.
He was staring at me, his gaze filled with surprise.
I stood there, unsure of what to do.
Having been Vivian’s best friend for so many years, I naturally recognized him.
Vivian’s husband, Cedric Palmer.
But now, he was my husband.
I looked up at him, my fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of my shirt. Even though I had accepted the reality of being Vivian, Cedric was still a stranger to me.
As he walked toward me, my mind raced through countless possible responses. But before ! could say anything, he spoke first.
“Did you clean up?”
There was doubt in his voice.
His gaze made me a little nervous. Not knowing how Vivian usually interacted with Cedri D simply forced a smile and replied, “Dinner is ready. Go wash your hands.”
Cedric’s expression grew even more complicated. He stood there, studying me for a while before silently heading to the bathroom.
11:56 Mon, 17 Mar
before silently heading to the bathroom
By the time I brought out the dishes, he was ready seated of the dining table is back was to me, his fingers lightly rubbing the tabletop as he muttered something under his breath.
Noticing my approach, he quickly pulled his hand back. When I sat down his graze on me
carried an extra hint of curiosity.
The atmosphere felt a little awkward.
Meeting Cedric’s probing gaze, i quietly handed him his plote.
The dishes on the table were all carefully prepared
What Vivian never knew was that although I had married into wearth, I wasn’t someone who had never touched housework. In fact, my cooking skills could rival those of a professional chef
During family banquets, I was often responsible for preparing an entire feast, working non–stop for seven or eight hours. I had to run back and forth between the dining hall and the kitchen, and even after the banquet ended, I had to stand by the table, serving dishes while
enduring harsh critiques.
Sometimes, the food I had painstakingly prepared would be discarded like garbage.
But I never truly hated cooking.
Before I got married, I had even looked forward to a simple life of shared meals, just like this
moment.
I glanced at Cedric across the table.
The table was small, the dishes were few, and neither of us spoke much. Yet, I felt an
unexpected warmth and a rare sense of ease.
And Cedric seemed to really enjoy my cooking.
Seeing how quickly the four plates were emptied, I couldn’t help but glance at him again.
He maintained his usual calm demeanor, but the tips of his ears were slightly red. Setting his
plate down, he looked up at me, his gaze softening.
“Have you thought it through? Are we continuing this marriage?” he asked.
I froze.
“What is he talking about? Had Vivian planned on leaving Cedric before?” I mused.
“I know I can’t give you a wealthy life. I can’t offer you the kind of luxury that your best friend
enjoys. So, if you have other plans, I’d understand…
But as I promised before, as long as you are my wife, I will treat you well.”
Cedric’s expression was serious.
His words made my eyes sting.
The man in front of me wasn’t dressed in designer brands, nor did he exude an air of wealth and privilege. But there was a warmth in his features, a gentleness in his words, like the golden. rays of a spring morning shining down on me.
He made me feel secure.
Cedric had an aura of quiet reliability.
I let out a sigh.
I had told Vivian before that her life wasn’t as terrible as she imagined,
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rays or a spring morning shining down on me.
He made me feel secure.
Cedric had an aura of quiet reliability.
I let out a sigh.
I had told Vivian before that her life wasn’t as terrible as she imagined.
After a moment of silence, I stood up, lowered my head to gather the dishes, and responded softly, “Honey, I was wrong before. I’ve thought it through. From now on, living our own life well is
what matters most.”
I sensed Cedric pause for a second. Though I didn’t look up at him, I could feel the heat of his gaze intensifying. Then, a hand reached over and took the dishes from me.
Cedric’s voice followed.
Till wash the dishes. You’ve worked hard, my love.”
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Ill wash the dishes. You’ve worked hard, my love.
