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Winifred said softly, “Sorry for the trouble tonight. I didn’t even know Rose had called you. Honestly, you didn’t have to drop everything and come just because she called. I’m sorry for taking up your time.”
Her voice sounded so formal. Humbert raised an eyebrow. “Well, I was actually planning to have dinner at a mentor’s place. But once I got the call, I came straight over.”
Winifred was quiet for a moment. “Sorry.”
“When I arrived, I happened to notice the Seafood Diner just outside the apartment building,” Humbert said, walking ahead.
His car was parked right outside the building. It was a luxurious one, like a menacing black beast, as if it could spring from the shadows at any moment.
He didn’t usually drive something like that to work. For the office, he always went with something more practical and businesslike.
Winifred watched as Humbert put out his cigarette and tossed it in a nearby trash can. He turned, and the light stretched his tall figure across the pavement. “No more apologies. Get in the car. Buy me dinner.”
Winifred opened her mouth to speak, but upon meeting his deep gaze, she took a steady breath and got in, reminding herself that it was just dinner, just a normal bit of socializing.
Just outside the building was the Seafood Diner that served breakfast. Winifred often stopped by in the mornings for a waffle or pancakes with a bowl of oatmeal. She knew the owner, Lucille, well.
“Winifred, you are here!” Lucille greeted her with a big smile and then did a double–take when she saw the man sitting across from Winifred. In this tiny diner, Humbert’s looks and vibe stood out.
Winifred glanced at Humbert. “What do you want to eat?”
Humbert looked at her and nodded for her to order first. Since they were at the Seafood Diner, they would go for the seafood boil.
“Two seafood boils, one large and one small, and please make one without shrimp,” Winifred said, biting her lip.
Humbert gave her a long, curious look, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
Winifred realized she had let it slip. Humbert never ate shrimp and hardly touched seafood.
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:
He was allergic to certain types.
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Back when they were together, Winifred had known all his preferences, down to the smallest detail.
Seafood boils were always topped with shrimp and onion, and without thinking, she had ordered it just the way he liked. That small slip had given her away.
Humbert’s gaze was steady and unreadable. The diner was lively with late–night customers, half the tables already taken.
Winifred, in her simple gray dress, looked almost out of place in this busy, no–frills diner. Her bare face seemed to glow under the lights. There was a quiet grace about her that spoke volumes.
“Winifred, did you use to live in Sonisburg? Did you go to Sonisburg High School?” Humbert asked.
He didn’t ask her which high school she went to. Instead, he asked if she went to Sonisburg High School directly.
“Yeah, I’m from Sonisburg,” Winifred said, not bothering to hide it. With so many people in the city, she was just another face in the crowd. Her response felt like she was dodging the real question.
Just then, Lucille brought over two bowls of seafood boil.
Winifred picked up the one without shrimp, flashed Humbert a smile, and said, “I don’t really like shrimp.” It was her way of fixing that little slip from earlier.
Humbert looked down at the seafood boil in his bowl. “Oh? What a coincidence. I’m not a fan of shrimp, either.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know. If you want, we can switch. Mine is untouched,” Winifred offered, already pushing her bowl toward him.
Humbert just said flatly, “No need. It’s fine.”
The meal was over quickly, and Winifred barely touched her bowl.
She’d already eaten at home, so she only had a few bites. When she went to pay, she realized she’d forgotten her phone. She told Lucille she’d pay the next morning when she came by for
breakfast.
Lucille grinned at her and teased, “Is that your boyfriend? He’s really handsome. The car outside? It looks expensive!”
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Lucille wasn’t a real gossiper. It was just that the car Humbert parked outside was so flashy that everyone who walked by had to stop and stare.
Winifred explained, “No, he’s just a friend.”
*****
They finished eating and stepped out of the Seafood Diner. Humbert reminded Winifred to take Ruby to the hospital soon for a checkup and suggested she should get Ruby’s blood pressure medication changed to avoid another scare like tonight.
Winifred thanked him. It was around nine, and a light breeze made the hem of her dress flutter, sending her long, brown hair blowing in the air.
Humbert stood near his car, holding the door open. He glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, “So, where’s your husband?”
He had already figured out that Ruby was her mother–in–law. Rosalind had referred to her as “Grandma” on the phone. But every time he’d seen Winifred at the hospital, it had always been just her and Rosalind, never a man with them.
Winifred frowned. “He’s overseas. Sorry to trouble you tonight, Dr. Pierce. Have a good night.”
With that, Winifred turned to leave. As she walked, her long, thick hair flowed behind her, swirling through the air like a mist.
Humbert’s hand lifted before he even realized it, his slender fingers brushing against her hair for just a second. It was smooth as silk, slipping right through his fingers.
He watched Winifred walk away, his hand still hovering in the air. For a brief moment, the scent of her long, brown hair lingered on his fingertips, leaving a strange feeling.
It was as if what he had just missed wasn’t just her hair, but something addictive, giving him brain tingles.
*****
Winifred made her way back to Ruby’s place. She told Rosalind to head to bed and started tidying up the medicine box scattered on the coffee table,
Ruby gave her a curious look and asked, “Who is that guy from earlier?”
Winifred quickly replied, “Just a doctor I’ve met a couple of times. We barely know each
other.”
Ruby raised an eyebrow. “If you barely know him, why did he show up tonight? I could barely breathe, and Rose was so scared that she grabbed your phone and called him. But he got here
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Chapter 19
in under twenty minutes.”
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Ruby knew how hard it had been for Winifred, raising Rosalind on her own all these years. She really wished Winifred could meet someone decent.
She couldn’t stop thinking about how ridiculously handsome and put–together the guy from earlier was, with a Rolex on his wrist to top it off.
Back when her husband Toby was still around, he had a watch just like that–same brand, a real family heirloom. Now her son Andrew was wearing it.
“He’s just a friend,” Winifred said with a smile. She even wondered if they could really be called friends.
Ruby just didn’t want to see Winifred get taken advantage of. With her pretty looks and delicate skin, Winifred always seemed to attract admirers.
There was even a guy renting down the hall who’d tried hitting on Winifred more than once. One time, when he got drunk and tried to mess with Winifred, Ruby dumped a whole bucket of greasy dishwater right over his head.
“He’s definitely good–looking,” Ruby said. “If you like him, go ahead and date him. But marriage? Forget it. I’ve been around long enough to know how to judge people.”
She added, “That doctor’s got girls after him and lots of money to spend. Guys like him? You can’t pin them down. In your generation’s slang, he’s a total playboy.”
Winifred couldn’t help but laugh. “Ruby, where did you pick up that kind of slang?”
Ruby huffed, a little proud. “I’ve got three dance partners at the nightclub. There’s nothing I don’t understand. You think I can’t keep up with you young people?”
Winifred stayed with Ruby for a little while longer, making sure she was okay before heading upstairs.
Rosalind was already washed up and lying in bed. Winifred hesitated for a moment, but she still asked her why she had called Humbert.
Looking up at her with innocent eyes, Rosalind replied, “Because he’s a doctor. He can save Ruby.”
A child’s world was always simple, never as complicated as the world of grown–ups.
Winifred realized she was just too tense. She was afraid he would recognize her as Claire and Rosalind as his daughter.
She was terrified he’d start making fun of her again, or worse, ruin the peaceful life she’d
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worked so hard to build.
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Seven years ago, she was young and foolish. Now, she had no interest in getting tangled up with him again.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
