Chapter 333
“Honey, is there something you want to say?” Lyman asked softly.
Luther, standing nearby, could hardly believe his eyes. The way Lyman could switch moods was faster than flipping a page!
Effie spoke up. “The receptionist made a mistake, yes, but she was misled by Isabel. She’s already been let go let’s just leave it at that.”
Lyman shook his head. “We can’t just let it go.”
Effie didn’t reply right away. She fixed her gaze on Lyman, unblinking.
It was the first time Lyman had ever felt so unnerved by a woman’s stare. Testing the waters, he asked, “Sweetheart, is there something you want to say?”
Effie arched an eyebrow at him before finally speaking. “What about Isabel? How do you plan to handle her?”
That’s when it clicked for Lyman-Effie was clever as a fox. She’d been leading him into a trap to see where he really stood on Isabel.
“I’ll handle it as it should be handled,” Lyman replied. “I’ll call the police. She trespassed into my office.”
Effie hadn’t expected him to say he’d call the police. “Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
Lyman didn’t answer, but instead threw the question back at her, “Do you think it’s too harsh?”
He watched her, the hint of a smile playing at his lips, eyes glinting with challenge. Since he asked, Effie saw no point in lying. “No, not at all. Someone who tries to ruin another person’s marriage deserves consequences.”
Her grandmother had always told her: when it comes to marriage, never keep things bottled up. If you don’t clear the air, misunderstandings fester, creating cracks for troublemakers to slip through.
She thought of Shepard Bagnold and Vera. Vera was cunning-she waited for her chance, flattering Shepard and stirring up trouble between him and Adriana Spencer. In the end, Vera got what she wanted.
And even after she got Shepard, Vera didn’t stop; she did everything she could to keep him by her side. Shepard fell under her spell and completely betrayed Adriana.
Effie’s grandmother had seen it all-she’d watched Adriana and Shepard fight, watched Adriana eventually move out.
That’s why her grandmother always said, “Conflicts have an expiration date. Deal with them immediately, or the silence will only make things worse. Letting things fester only deepens misunderstandings and makes everything spiral out of control.”
Her grandmother might have seemed like an ordinary old woman, with plain clothes and modest manners, but there was an undeniable grace in her every gesture. She was Effie’s guiding light, the wise woman who shaped her after Effie lost her mother.
Lyman knew how sensitive Effie was about affairs and betrayal; he also knew it was tied to what she’d been through. He wanted to give her all the reassurance she needed.
He looked at Effie and said, “This feels good.”
Effie glanced at him, puzzled. “What does?”
“Talking things through, face to face. It feels good.” Lyman squeezed her hand. “Honey, we’re going to be together forever, right?”
There was something else he wanted to ask, but the words caught in his throat.
Effie didn’t answer directly. Instead, she said, “I can’t promise you that. Feelings can change. Some last a long time, others fade quickly. No one can predict the future. But if you ever betray me, I won’t hesitate to leave.”
The word “leave” hit Lyman like a punch to the chest. He gripped her hand tighter, as if letting go would make her vanish.
“I won’t. I would never betray you. Not ever!”
Effie smiled softly. “You’re hungry, aren’t you? Let’s eat.”
“I was actually hoping for some of that pasta you bought me,” Lyman said, his tone carrying a hint of regret.