She brandished the ferule.
Which hand did you use to smoke? Hold it out.
Momentster, Nathan extended his left hand,ying it t before Lucinda.
The next instant, Lucinda brought the ferule down hard on his hand.
Nathan felt a sharp pain in his palm.
He winced but remained still, staring at his hand as it swelled.
The pain was sharp.
As usual, it hurt.
The familiar sting returned.
He sniffed, not from sadness but from a strange sense of happiness.
Why are you smiling after I hit you? Lucinda looked at Nathan, puzzled.
Breathing deeply, Nathan smiled.
Its a familiar feeling.
It reassured him that his wife was truly back and that she hadnt lost her memory or forgotten about him.
Lucinda suppressed augh and kept a stern face.
You still havent answered my question.
How many cigarettes have you smoked while I was gone? Did you ever smoke around the kids? Maybe… Nathan bowed his head, pondering.
Maybe… I need to know the truth, Lucinda said, her voice carrying a hint of warning.
About two packs.
I havent smoked in front of the kids, but Colby caught the scent once.
Lucinda asked with a frown, How many cigarettes are in a pack? 207 Just ten in a pack.
So, youve smoked over twenty cigarettes in just ten days? Really, Nathan, were you smoking as a meal recement? And Colby smelled it.
Did he cough? Nathan shook his head.
Ive been sleeping poorlytely.
Smoking seemed to help.
I wasnt really counting how many I smoked.
I did take a shower that day, so the smoke scent was faint.
Colby did smell it, but it shouldnt have affected him.
He knew he had smoked excessively and that there was no excuse for it.
Nathan said nothing further.
He extended his right hand and said, Lucinda, go ahead.
I deserve to be punished.
With a pinch to his face, Lucinda expressed her annoyance.
She was frustrated, knowing how many cigarettes he had smoked.
Smoking was harmful.novelbin
It damaged his health.
Plus, with a sick child at home, his carelessness was uneptable.