As he took a sip of milk, Daniel nearly choked, his limited edition black suit stained in the process.
"What did you say?" he inquired, incredulous, his eyes wide with what looked like genuine surprise. It clearly wasn't what he had hoped for, so why didn't he appear pleased? Lucy pondered, struggling to contain her seething rage.
"Things came to a head yesterday, good luck," she stated before serving herself some cake, its soft texture still felt harsh as it went down her throat. Despite this, she remained eerily composed - a fact that did not escape Daniel's attention.
"Well, I already said I was working. I really didn't know about the party, and it wasn't my intention to embarrass you. If you want, I can talk to my mom and explain everything. But don't play the victim," he retorted, offering a forced smile.
"Hell, she always set up meetings just to spend more time with me. How was I to know it would be different this time?" He reflected internally while recalling the past. Lucy truly went out of her way to create moments for them to be together because of her love for him, but that was then; she now wished to move on.
Hearing those words and observing Daniel's expression, Lucy ripped off the veneer masking her hate. She slammed the table, causing all the liquids to spill, and declared angrily:
"I can't stand being underestimated anymore. I came here to marry a man but ended up with a boy too cowardly to acknowledge his wrongs. I've told you I want that damned divorce; I wasn't born to be anyone's replacement," she exclaimed, causing Daniel's heart to race. Had she discovered everything?
His thoughts were a jumble. Daniel sensed there was more than just the surprise party fiasco, but having drunk too much, he couldn't recall anything - only messages from his beloved Juliana who had asked for a break for the same reason as Lucy. She didn't want to be the other woman. Embarrassed by this turn of events, Daniel had drowned his sorrows in drink and consequently remembered nothing.
Just then, Lucy's phone rang, and she answered it quickly, expecting the call:
"Hello?"
"How dare you read my message and not immediately reply?" the woman on the other end protested with a cloyingly sweet voice - it was Carol, Lucy's close friend.
"I was very busy yesterday, but from now on, I promise I'll have time for my friends."
"That's better. I'm sick of the smell of the countryside and animals; that's why I'm heading back to the city," Carol said, smiling, though Lucy did not mirror her friend's enthusiasm, disconcerted by Daniel's lethal glare.
After exchanging a few more words with her friend, Lucy ended the call, got up intending to leave the room, but before doing so, she offered a slight smirk and stated:
"By the way, I do know what work is, and any self-respecting company prohibits drinking on the job," hinting at Daniel before walking out, leaving him somewhat perplexed.
It was clear he loved another and longed to be with her, but something kept him from seeking a divorce, and this made him feel wronged, a man trapped, yearning for freedom.
"Could she really be serious? God, I hope so," he murmured to himself, grinning from ear to ear, not expecting Lucy to have overheard everything.
Swallowing the pain that made it hard to breathe, she picked up her forgotten cellphone and walked out, heading for the garden, fighting back tears.
"To love is also to let go. He never wanted me," she whispered, slipping off her wedding ring and pocketing it.
Back inside the mansion, Daniel reveled in the revelation, tempted to call Juliana with the glorious news. They could finally be together openly, a splendid prospect.
Having finished eating, Daniel ascended to his bedroom, needing to change his attire. In the closet, he sought a suit as fine as the milk-stained one. While rummaging, he found an odd-looking envelope, quaint, adorned with hearts and flowers, and exuding a sweet scent.
"Could this be my present?" he wondered softly, scoffing at Lucy's penchant for such things, clearly unimpressed. Yet curiosity prevailed, and he opened the envelope to uncover a letter on pink paper, more hearts scattered all around, the sentimentality bordering on childish.
Without further ado, Daniel began to mock-read Lucy's words:
"Good morning, my love. Today is your birthday, yet I am the one feeling fortunate for having you in my life. May God guide your steps towards goodness. I love you so much. I admit I parachuted into your life, and perhaps that's why our relationship isn't the best. But I'm willing to do anything for us to be happy, even capable of forgetting the past and walking side by side with you towards bliss…" he trailed off into dismissive, "blah, blah, blah."
Lucy, who had just arrived, felt a mix of indescribable emotions as Daniel chuckled at her words. When she penned those lines, she held on to a hope of happiness with him. But now, witnessing his disdain, she felt as if she wasted two years on a love never reciprocated.
"I know you're quite ‘busy' with work and might not get around to handling our divorce, so I took the liberty of calling Beto. He'll take care of it first thing tomorrow. It's for the best," her voice unwavering, her decision final.
"Good to know," he responded with a smile, crumpling the heartfelt letter and tossing it into the waste basket, deeming it worthless.
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