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Chapter 42

Chapter 42

I hummed softly, “Not a bad suggestion. I’ll think it over.”

“You really should,” Fanny paused before adding, “Felicia, the best way to forget someone and move on from a relationship is to dive into a new one as quickly as possible.”

“Okay, Fanny, got it,” I said before hanging up. lying on my bed, I let my thoughts drift.

Soon, I could hear Ernest’s firm and steady footsteps outside, unmistakable to my ears.

Then came the faucet twisting, followed by our landlady Ethel’s nagging voice, “How come it’s just you? Where’s Licia?”

I didn’t hear Ernest’s reply, only his request, “Please, no onions in the clam chowder.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but laugh, though my laughter quickly turned into tears. Living with the Wagner family over the years, I’d gotten used to eating onions, even though I never touched them when I was with my parents back home.

There was a saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Though I moved into the Wagner family engaged to Conrad, and Jacqueline insisted I was like a daughter to her, I knew deep down I wasn’t truly one of them.

I made many small compromises, not wanting to seem too delicate or fussy, like forcing myself to eat onions even though I disliked them.

Ethel called me for clam chowder, but by then, I had fallen asleep and even dreamt that Ernest and I were about to sign our marriage license when I got woken up.

“Did things not work out between you and Ernest?” Ethel asked me at the breakfast table.

Thinking about the dream interrupted, I grumbled, “We were about to get married, and then… you woke me up.”

“What?” Ethel didn’t catch on, “You two were about to get a marriage license just like that? Wouldn’t you date a bit first?”

I just stared at her.

“Look at you, Licia. You’ve got an eye for quality. You’ll regret it if you let a good man like Ernest go. If I were fifty years younger, I’d chase after him myself.”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“I mean it. If you don’t make a move fast, that young widow will,” Ethel continued.

It was just Ethel and me at the table. I couldn’t help but ask, “Ethel, where’s Ernest?”

Ethel said, “He went out to drink with a friend.”

I sipped the chowder with my spoon, savoring the rich flavor. “Ernest’s not driving today?

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Chapter 32

And still drinking?”

“He only drives for friends occasionally, not full time,” Ethel explained, then looked at me, “So, you two are getting a license?”

“No, I meant I dreamt about getting one.” My explanation earned me an eye roll from Ethel. When I went to bed that night, I hadn’t seen Ernest, but I heard him come home as I settled down. I also caught Ethel’s nagging, “Lock the door properly. We’ve got a young lady in the house.”

“It’s locked. Go to bed now!” Ernest’s voice, deliberately lowered, sounded exceptionally pleasant in the night.

I smiled only to hear Ethel add, “Ernest, you better hurry up. Licia said she’s dreamt about marrying you.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I sat up in bed abruptly.

‘I did not say that! Ethel really can spread a tale and twist it, too. Great, how am I supposed to face Ernest after this?‘ Muttering to myself, I heard Ernest respond from outside, “I got it. I’ll hurry.”

I was at a loss for words.