After Cecilia left, Stefan and Keith walked in together.
"Stefan, bro, what brings you guys here?"
Lucinda greeted them with a warm smile.
Neither man had brought their bodyguards; in Pinehurst, Keith always felt most at ease.
He had great faith in his brother-in-law's ability to keep things safe, believing that on his turf, there was no need to worry about any threats.
"Is it unwelcome for your brother to come for a coffee? Or do you think I'm just being a third wheel?"
Keith spoke with a playful grin, not pausing as he picked a spot to sit down, making it clear that even as a third wheel, he was there to stay.
Stefan's gaze was tender as he looked at Lucinda. "Cecilia's not around, right? I thought I'd come over and lend a hand. I'm just loafing around at home anyway." Since tying the knot, his weekends were always spent with Lucinda.
Their friends teased him for abandoning them for his woman.
Stefan, however, stood his ground firmly, declaring that it was Lucinda he'd be with for life, so of course, she took precedence.
That left his friends without a comeback.
"Where's Dad?"
"He's with my dad." Stefan replied.
Lucinda nodded in understanding.
"Need any help with anything?"
I might need
want some coffee?" she
a cup, will you? I had a
prepare coffee for
pretty chipper to me, not like someone who had
watching his little sister with an amused
moment, someone else
assumed it was a customer, but when Lucinda and her husband saw who it
was
only boyfriend
Lucinda even after moving on to someone else. Lucinda had told his wife about his antics, leading to their
a social climber who lost his status after the divorce and couldn't make it
in months, and had almost
Lucinda, George was a
a real connection, and it was she who made the first move in their relationship. They
on it, Lucinda couldn't help but marvel at how she and
he chose betrayal. Even knowing that Stefan had a hand in
the wounds George left, unwittingly pushing her into
as she looked at George like
in to ask Stefan in
replying softly, "Lucy's ex, my former
stepped forward with a pleading tone, "Lucinda, can we talk
smiled back at her reassuringly. She felt a warmth inside; Stefan had trust in her and gave her the freedom to handle her personal matters, even if it pained him. "Just give me a moment," Lucinda said. "You can take a seat and I'll be right there after I
but ultimately stayed silent and took a seat in the corner,
Mitchell, George was
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