The Bride Widow
Chapter 175 - 173: A Sensible Apology - Part 1

Chapter 175: 173: A Sensible Apology - Part 1

Anabella woke up the next morning feeling unusually refreshed, a rare occurrence after the stress of the past weeks. She was hopeful that her conversation with Lucy had smoothed things over. With a renewed sense of purpose, she got ready and headed to the bakery.

The morning rush was in full swing when Anabella arrived, and she immediately threw herself into her work, preparing pastries and brewing coffee.

Lucy was already there, moving about with a cold efficiency. Anabella tried to greet her with a warm smile, but Lucy barely acknowledged her, giving a curt nod before returning to her task.

As the day progressed, Anabella couldn’t help but notice that something was off. Orders she had prepared meticulously were being switched around, causing delays and confusion. Items she had set out for display were mysteriously missing or misplaced.

Anabella initially thought it was a simple mistake, but as it kept happening, she grew increasingly suspicious.

During a brief lull in the rush, Anabella approached Lucy cautiously. "Hey, Lucy, I noticed some of the orders got mixed up earlier. Did you... did you happen to see what happened?"

Lucy glanced up, her eyes cold and unyielding. "No, I didn’t. Maybe you should pay more attention to what you’re doing."

Anabella was taken aback by the harshness in Lucy’s tone but decided to let it slide. She understood that Lucy had been through a lot, and perhaps this was just a manifestation of her trauma. Determined to keep things peaceful, Anabella swallowed her frustration and continued her work.

However, the sabotage didn’t stop. Throughout the day, Lucy’s subtle but deliberate actions continued to disrupt the workflow. It wasn’t long before customers began complaining, and Anabella’s patience started wearing thin.

By the end of the day, Anabella was exhausted, not just from the work but from the emotional toll of trying to maintain harmony. As she closed up the bakery, she decided to speak with the manager about what had been happening.

She found the manager in the office, going over some paperwork. Anabella knocked lightly on the doorframe before stepping inside. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

The manager, a kind but firm older woman, looked up with a tired smile. "Of course, Anabella. What’s on your mind?"

Anabella took a deep breath and explained the day’s events, detailing how Lucy’s actions had been causing trouble. She tried to be as diplomatic as possible, focusing on the disruptions rather than blaming Lucy directly. "I just wanted to bring it to your attention. I’m not sure what’s going on with Lucy, but it’s affecting the work."

The manager listened carefully, her expression turning somber as Anabella spoke. When Anabella finished, the manager sighed heavily.

"I understand your frustration, Anabella. But we need to consider what Lucy has been through. She’s been through a traumatic experience, and her mental state is clearly fragile."

Anabella nodded slowly, understanding but still feeling the weight of the day’s events pressing down on her. "I get that, but it’s really making things difficult. I’m trying to be patient, but it’s hard."

The manager leaned forward, her voice gentle but firm. "I know it’s hard, Anabella. But Lucy needs our support right now. I’ll have a talk with her, but in the meantime, I need you to try and understand her situation. Please, for now, try to forgive her."

Anabella left the office feeling conflicted. She knew the manager was right, that Lucy needed compassion and support, but it didn’t make the situation any easier to bear. She resolved to keep trying, hoping that with time, things would get better.

That night, as she lay in bed, Anabella’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

She wanted to help Lucy, to be there for her, but she also needed to protect herself and her own well-being. It was a delicate balance, one that she wasn’t sure how to maintain. With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes, praying that tomorrow would bring some clarity.

Anabella lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of the day’s events.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the tension from her encounter with Lucy.

The subtle sabotage, the cold demeanor, and the manager’s plea for understanding all weighed heavily on her. She tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position, but sleep remained elusive.

Finally, after what felt like hours, exhaustion began to pull her into a light slumber. Just as she started to drift off, the shrill ring of her phone jolted her awake. Groggily, she reached for the device on her bedside table and squinted at the screen. It was a call from Lucy.

Her heart skipped a beat as she answered. "Hello?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

On the other end, Lucy’s voice was slurred, and Anabella could immediately tell she was drunk. "Anabella... I’m so sorry," Lucy mumbled, her words tumbling over each other. "I didn’t mean to cause you trouble today. I’ve just... I’ve been in such a bad place."

Anabella sat up, the remnants of sleep quickly dissipating. "Lucy, it’s okay," she said softly, trying to calm her. "You’ve been through a lot. I understand."

Lucy continued, her voice wavering between sobs and slurred sentences. "I don’t mean to be horrible to you. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just... everything feels so messed up. I’m sorry for being such a burden."

Anabella’s heart ached at the vulnerability in Lucy’s voice.

Despite the difficult day, her tender nature couldn’t bear to see anyone in pain, especially someone who had gone through so much. "Lucy, it’s okay," she repeated, her tone soothing. "I forgive you. Let’s just move forward, okay? Tomorrow will be better."

There was a pause on the other end before Lucy whispered, "Thank you, Anabella. You’re too kind to me. I’ll try to be better."

They exchanged a few more words before hanging up, and Anabella felt a flicker of hope.

Maybe this was a turning point. Maybe Lucy would come to work tomorrow with a renewed spirit, and they could begin to mend whatever had fractured between them.

With that hopeful thought, Anabella finally managed to fall asleep, a small smile tugging at her lips.

The next morning, Anabella woke up feeling refreshed and optimistic. She prepared for work with a lighter heart, confident that today would be different.

She was eager to see Lucy and to show her that forgiveness was real, that they could move past the troubles and work together harmoniously.

When Anabella arrived at the bakery, the familiar scents of freshly baked bread and coffee filled the air. She smiled at her coworkers, who were bustling around getting everything ready for the morning rush. Then she spotted Lucy.

Anabella approached her cautiously, ready to greet her with warmth and understanding. "Good morning, Lucy," she said cheerfully. "How are you feeling today?"

Lucy looked up, her expression hard and unreadable. "Fine," she said curtly, turning back to her work without another word.

Anabella’s smile faltered, but she brushed it off, telling herself that maybe Lucy was just not a morning person. She decided to give her some space and focus on her tasks.

As the morning progressed, however, it became clear that Lucy’s attitude hadn’t shifted. She was just as cold, just as dismissive as she had been the previous day.

Anabella’s hope began to wane. She tried to engage Lucy in conversation, offering help when things got busy, but each attempt was met with indifference or, worse, thinly veiled hostility. By the end of the shift, Anabella felt drained, her earlier optimism shattered.

During a brief break, she found herself leaning against the counter, her thoughts swirling. What had gone wrong? Hadn’t Lucy been sincere in her apology? Anabella wanted to believe in the best of people, but Lucy’s behavior was beginning to chip away at her resolve.

When the day finally ended, Anabella lingered behind, not ready to face the emptiness of her apartment. Her manager approached, sensing her distress. "Anabella, are you okay?"

Anabella sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I thought things would be better today. Lucy called me last night, apologized for everything. I really thought she was ready to change, but..."

The manager nodded sympathetically. "Sometimes, people need more time. And sometimes, they don’t know how to accept kindness. You’ve done your part, Anabella. You’ve been more understanding than most would be."

Anabella nodded, but the weight in her chest remained. She thanked her manager and slowly made her way out of the bakery, the cool evening air wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. As she walked home, she reflected on the day, trying to find a balance between compassion and self-preservation.

She realized she couldn’t control how Lucy reacted, but she could control her own boundaries. Anabella decided that while she would remain kind, she also needed to protect herself from being hurt.

Lucy’s journey was her own, and Anabella had to let her navigate it in her own time. With that thought, she felt a small sense of peace return, hoping that tomorrow might bring a fresh start.