Chapter 145


    Chapter 145


    Should Leanne me her? She wasn’t even sure herself.


    If Leanne med Mary, she had to acknowledge Mary’s good intentions and desire to shelter and love


    her.


    But if Leanne didn’t me Mary, maybe Leanne wouldn’t have needed to marry Curtis,pelled by


    the words of a so-called guru, talking about fate and karmic obstacles.


    She had been on the verge of breaking free from the Richardson family, her path with Curtis slowly


    diverging.


    He would’ve continued to be the golden boy, basking in the spotlight, while she, after graduation,


    would’ve be a humble family doctor, living separate lives in two unrted worlds.


    Over time, the shared childhood under one roof would fade into an insignificant chapter of


    their lives.


    There might have been a trace of regret. After all, Curtis had dramatically influenced her life, leaving


    bold marks of love and hate deeply etched into her.


    The upside? She wouldn’t have endured this soul-crushing ordeal.


    Leanne sat silently for a long time before she dabbed Mary’s tears with a tissue.


    “Let it go,” she finally said. “It’s all in the past now.”


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    “You’re so soft-hearted, child. That’s how people take advantage of you!” Heartbroken, Mary copsed


    onto her pillow. “If you won’t punish me, then I guess I’ll just have to do it


    . I’ll fast. An old sinner like me doesn’t deserve the pleasures of good food. Whe Sarah? Don’t cook me


    any nutritious meals anymore. I’ll eat bread and water. There should be no more fried chicken for me. I


    don’t deserve it. I should just have in toas


    Leanne couldn’t help butugh through her tears. “You’re not punishing yourself but punishing Sarah.


    People will use her of elder abuse.”


    “Then I’ll make a pilgrimage to repent for my sins.”


    “Can’t you just stay?” Leanne felt a pang of reluctance to let her go. “Stay with me a little. longer. With


    you here, nobody dares to bully me.”


    Mary’s heart melted, and she reached to embrace Leanne. “Okay, okay. I won’t leave. I’ll stay with you.”


    Returning with a bowl of fresh fruit, Sarah saw them talking and quietly stepped back, not wanting to


    intrude.


    After finally soothing the temperamental Mary and tucking her into bed, Leanne stepped outside,


    closing the door gently behind her.


    11:28


    Chapter 145


    Curtis wasing in, carrying a bag from the diner.


    Leanne didn’t speak to him, and he asked, “Where are you off to?”


    “Work.”


    She tried to walk past him, but Curtis caught her arm. “I brought you lunch. Eat first, then


    go.”


    “I’m not hungry,” Leanne said, trying to pull away.


    But Curtis held firm. “Skipping breakfast, missing lunch, and leaving dinner to chance? Are


    you nning to starve yourself into a skeleton for a medical exhibit?”


    “That’s none of your business,” Leanne snapped back. “I’m not hungry right now.”


    “Then, at least keep mepany while I eat.”


    “I’m a doctor, not a paid escort. You can eat by yourself.”


    Half-teasing, half-serious, Curtis retorted, “Which escort service has employees as feisty as you?” He


    softened his voice again. “Leanne, can’t you do as told for once?”


    “And why should I listen to you?” she shot back. “You yed dead when we got married, and now


    you’re ying the ghost of the husband, looking for relevance. Can’t you, for once, stand where you’re


    supposed to?”


    “I am standing where I’m supposed to be. Don’t forget we’re still within the cooling-off period before


    divorce.” He looked at her with half-lidded eyes, azy smile on his lips. “You know what the cooling-off


    period means, don’t you? Or do you need me to exin it to you again?”


    Leanne turned her face away. “No need.”


    Undeterred, Curtis pulled her closer, insisting on rifying, “It means that I, Curtis, am still legally your


    husband, Leanne. You can even call me ‘dear’ if you like.”


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