Her eyes narrowed in revulsion as she red at the crumpled cigarette pack.


    Seemingly unsatisfied, she sent it skidding across the ground with a forceful kick.


    Turning her attention to Nathan, Lucinda fixed her gaze on the back of his head and spoke with stern seriousness.


    “This is thest time I’m saying this.


    I detest cigarettes.


    It doesn’t matter if you smoke outside; the mere scent of it makes me nauseous.


    Your status in Stastle means nothing here.


    If you choose to stay, you must follow my rules.


    Smoke here, and you’ll regret it.”


    With an icy expression, Lucinda spun around and took Hilda’s hand, whispering gently, “He reeks of smoke.


    It’s harmful to you.


    We shouldn’t let him inside.”


    “But…” Hilda faltered.


    “It’s time for breakfast.”


    “He’s already filled with smoke.


    Missing one meal won’t hurt.


    Let’s go eat; just leave him be.”


    Hilda appeared to want to protest further but allowed herself to be drawn into the house by Lucinda.


    Kyson, who had been leaning against the doorway observing the interaction, received a sharp nce from Lucinda.


    “If you ever bring such disrespectfulpany to trouble me and Hilda again, you might as well leave, too.”


    Kyson was taken aback.


    He had watched as Lucinda had vehemently kicked Nathan.


    It seemed she truly had no memory of Nathan.


    This probably left a poor impression on her.


    With this realization, Kyson cracked a wry smile and agreed, “Okay.”


    As soon as they entered the house, Sonny hurried to Nathan’s side.


    “Nathan, are you alright?” he asked with concern.


    Nathan clutched his waist and frowned, unwilling to utter a single word.


    ..novelbin


    Library


    Truth be told, he was far from alright.


    His wife had kicked him that morning.


    Feeling fine was out of the question.


    Indeed, Nathan had smoked just to irk Lucinda, but her retaliation wasn’t out of concern for his health; she simply detested the smell of cigarettes.


    He felt his suffering was for nothing.


    Feeling aggrieved, Nathan let out a heavy sigh and leaned on Sonny’s shoulder, his demeanor utterly defeated.


    With a sigh of his own, Sonny helped him straighten his coat and asked with evident worry, “Lucinda doesn’t recognize you anymore.


    Why would she hit you?”


    Recalling the ferocity of Lucinda’s blows, Sonny winced, empathizing with Nathan’s pain.


    After a brief pause, Nathan confessed, “I smoked two cigarettesst night and two more this morning.


    She caught me in the act.”


    Sonny’s eyes widened in disbelief.


    “Four cigarettes in just a few hours?”


    Nathan remained silent.