Yvonne gently coughed. "It's me."
"Yvonne?" asked the surprised Lynette
Yvonne nodded. "That's me."
"Wow, you actually called me?â said Lynette excitedly.
Yvonne raised an eyebrow. "Is it that bad for me to call you?"
"What do you think? After you resigned and left, you changed your phone number and disappeared
without a trace. I thought you didnât want to be my friend anymore," said Lynette begrudgingly.
Yvonne rubbed her nose and said, "Alright, it's my fault. I had intended to live in solitude, and that's
why I changed my number. But I was planning to call you once I settled down..."
"So why are you calling me now?" interrupted Lynette.
Yvonne sighed. "I'm back in the city.â
"What? Youâre back?" Lynette was surprised. "I thought you were going to stay in the village for a
few months. Whyâre you back so soon?"
"My husband brought me back with him," replied Yvonne as she massaged her temples.
"Your husband?" Lynette squinted her eyes. "Hold on, didnât you say you were going to divorce
him? Does this mean you've changed your mind now that youâve come back with him?"
"Yes," replied Yvonne.
Lynette stroked her hair and said, "What happened? What changed your mind?"
"Itâs rather difficult to explain to you over the phone. Why don't we meet up? I'm outside your office
now. Are you available?" suggested Yvonne.
Lynette agreed to the proposal immediately. "Sure, I haven't got much work on hand at the moment.
I'll be right there, wait for me."
As she finished, she quickly hung up the phone call and ran off.
Two minutes later, Yvonne saw Lynette approaching while carrying her handbag and waved at her.
"Over here Lyn."
Lynette's eyes glowed as she saw her and hastened steps towards her. "How long have you been
waiting here?"
"I was already here when I called you," replied Yvonne.
Lynette held her hand and scanned Yvonne. "You seem much better than the last time I saw you. I
thought youâd be suffering back in your village.â
"How would I be suffering? I was either eating or sleeping there." Yvonne laughed heartily.
In truth, she had only suffered a little during her first day as she had to tidy up the house.
But when Henry and Sue arrived on the second day, Sue prepared her meals, so she had been
doing fine.
"I'm relieved that you're doing fine now." Lynette laughed and continued to ask, "Right, is something
the matter for you to call me up today?"
"Nothing much, I just wanted to see you to let you know Iâm back and ask you out for a meal."
Yvonne adjusted the handbag on her shoulders.
Lynette looked at her watch and said, "Sure, I'm about t o be on my lunch break now. Shall we eat
at the restaurant over there?"
Lynette pointed at the restaurant located opposite them.
Yvonne turned her head to look in that direction and agreed.
After they ordered at the restaurant, Lynette poured a glass of orange juice for Yvonne and asked,
"So what were you saying about your husband? What made you change your mind?"
"It was simple. He didn't want to divorce so it was cancelled," replied Yvonne as she sipped her
juice.
Lynette frowned and looked at her. "What about you? Are you still insisting on getting a divorce?"
"I-I..." Yvonne shook her head and continued, "I'm not insisting on it anymore either. I wanted to get
a
divorce because he couldnât fulfill what I asked him to do. But yesterday, he finally agreed to do it,
so I'll put it aside for the moment."
That's right, she had not completely put aside the divorce plans yet.
Although Henry had promised to avenge her and their child, she could not rest easy, not until the
deed was actually done.
She could not forget the amount of love and care Henry had for Jacqueline in the past. Also, they
had to wait for a few months before their revenge could be executed, so who knew what would
happen within that amount of time?
"I see," nodded Lynette as she rubbed her chin." Although I haven't got the slightest clue what your
relationship is like now, but as your friend, I will support you all the way no matter what you do.
Even if your husband helped recommend a doctor for my dad."
Yvonne felt warmth from Lynetteâs words and said," Thank you Lyn."
"We're friends, there's nothing to thank," replied Lynette with a chuckle.
Yvonne nodded continuously and said, "You're right, we're best friends."
"Isn't that right?â Lynette reached out and caressed Yvonne's hair.
Yvonne was slightly uncomfortable and pouted. "Why do all of you seem to enjoy caressing my
hair?"
Shane had done it, Henry had done it, and now Lynette was doing the same as well.
Did her hair have some kind of enchantment that caused them to enjoy doing it all the time?
"Because it's comforting. Your hair's so soft and silky that most people would not be able to resist
the urge t o caress your hair."
Yvonne raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Of course. Why don't you try it yourself then? It feels really good," encouraged Lynette.
Yvonne actually reached out to try as well. She was unsure if it was a psychological effect, but it
actually felt good to caress her own hair.
"You seem to be enjoying it," said Lynette, laughing.
Yvonne felt embarrassed and put down her hand." Alright, enough about this. How's your dad?"
Lynetteâs face stiffened, and her smile disappeared from her face.
Yvonneâs heart sank. "Has something happened to his leg? I-is he..."
"That's not it." Lynette shook her head.
"Then what's with your expression? Something must've happened." Yvonne grabbed her hand and
spoke nervously.
Lynette forcefully smiled and replied, "Itâs actually nothing - my dad's leg has recovered a lot since
changing doctors. But, the doctor has noticed that the nervous system in my dad's leg has not
completely died yet, so there seems to be hope for him to stand again."
"Thatâs good, but why donât you seem too happy about i t?" Yvonne was confused.
Lynette sighed. "It's really good news, but do you know how much the surgery would cost? A
hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Where on earth would I find such a large amount of money?
Even if I sell my house, I still wouldnât be able to afford to pay for the recovery.â
Yvonne fell silent as she heard this.
That amount of money would mean nothing to the Lancasters. But to Lynette, it was a sum that was
too much for them.
She could not even help her even if she wanted to.
She had even owed Henry a large sum as well.
"But are you seriously going to give up on the surgery?â asked Yvonne. She couldnât bear to see
Lynette miss the opportunity.
Lynette's dad had always treated her well - she could not bear to see him confined to a wheelchair
as well.
âI do want him to proceed with the surgery, but Iâm unable to accumulate that much money in a short
period of time. I have no choice but to postpone the
surgery, or even get a loan.â Lynette let out a wry laugh.
Yvonne lowered her head and stayed silent. She felt sorry for Lynette.
Lynette was touched by her concern and said, "Come o n, I'm not despaired by the situation. Why
do you look so glum?"
"I just feel so sorry that I'm unable to help you,â said Yvonne sadly.
Lynette flicked Yvonne on the forehead and said," Silly girl, you've done a lot already by
recommending this doctor to him. So stop blaming yourself. Let's eat, foodâs here.â
"Alright." Yvonne forced a smile and began to eat.
The two of them ate and chattered away continuously.
It was at that moment that Yvonneâs phone rang.
She paused her conversation with Lynette and picked up her phone to answer, "Sue, is something
the matter?"