In the Blink of an eye ch 2

Chapter 2 A Long Time Coming
The question took Lily by surprise, but she smiled. “I don’t really want to ask. You must have been dying to get this divorce, and I could feel it.”
She had already been prepared for this ever since they were married. Although she knew their married days were numbered, it came a bit quicker than she’d imagined. It hadn’t even been two months since George Taylor, his grandfather, passed, and Robert was already getting a divorce.
Robert was surprised by her answer, but only for a moment. Then he snorted. From the lack of explanation, Lily reckoned that she had hit the bullseye.
Robert took a few more puffs and put out the remainder of his cigarette in the ashtray. Instead of continuing the topic, he asked, “What’s your plan now?”
Lily pondered. “Plans? Nothing for now. I just want to go around and do some sightseeing.”
She was worried about what would happen after the divorce. Everyone would laugh at her, especially when the reason she was married to him in the first place was rooted in superstition.
She was married off to the Taylor Family as a ward. George was in bad health, so he forced Robert to marry her in a desperate attempt to bring luck and overturn his condition.
Lily remembered that Robert was unwilling to do this, but because he was fettered by his morality and familial ties, it was impossible for him to reject this outright.
Resigned to his fate, he married her reluctantly. A human ward was superstition, of course. In the end, all it did was delight George, but it didn’t help with his condition.
He suffered a lot longer than he had to and passed away, anyway. It hadn’t been a year since then, so Lily could imagine the mockery she had to endure.
Going into hiding was a good idea. She looked down at her glass of water. “I’ll come back in a couple of months to pay my respects.”
Robert thought about it. “Call Samson if you need anything. He can help you.”
Samson was his assistant who had been working for him for a long time now. He was responsible for all of Robert’s work-related matters and the occasional personal matter.
Lily didn’t refuse his offer. “Okay, then. I won’t be holding back.”
When the food was served, Lily dug in without a care. She didn’t say anything because she didn’t know what to say.
They didn’t communicate much in their short-lived marriage, aside from the occasional after-dark fun on the bed. Now that they were divorced, the gap between them became a chasm, and they had even fewer shared topics.
Robert didn’t seem to have much appetite, so he stopped after a few bites, but Lily ignored him and kept on eating.
The impulsive order earlier came to bite her in the back because it was too much for her. Lily couldn’t take another bite after only having half of the food.
Leaning back on the chair, she rang for the waiter. When he came, she pointed at the food. “Pack all of these for me.”
All those who had their meals in this hotel were famous figures, so it was rare for someone to pack their food. The waiter was surprised about this request, but Robert said, “Pack it up.”
“Of course. Please give me a minute.” The waiter felt awkward.
When the waiter went to take the packing box, Robert stared at Lily, much to her discomfort. “What? Did I embarrass you?”
Robert snorted and didn’t answer that. Instead, he asked, “I never asked you this, but why did you marry me in the first place?”
Lily blinked. “Because you’re rich.” Before he could say anything, she added, “But then, I thought there are a lot of people who are richer than you.”
Robert arched an eyebrow. “Is that why you agreed to the divorce so readily?”
To that, she only replied with a smile. The waiter then came back and packed up their food. After that, she took the boxes and left with Robert.
As Robert had to go somewhere else, he hailed a ride for her. After entering the cab, through the car window, she asked, “What about you?”
“What about me?” Robert frowned in confusion.
“Why did you marry me in the first place?” she asked.
He looked at her calmly. “Because you’re pretty.” However, before she could laugh, he added, “But then, I realized there are a lot of women prettier than you.”