The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband Chapter 576: First and only

As morning dawned, Abrielle found her spirits soaring, resolved to embrace the day with joy. After her morning preparations, she made her way to the EasyBite restaurant.

"Here are our specials for today; please enjoy," Grace announced with a smile. Her own mood had brightened considerably, especially after a peculiar dream she experienced last night. For the first time, her daughter Hazel had appeared before her. Hazel's smile was gentle as she took Grace's hand.

"I am in a good place now, Mother," Hazel's voice echoed. Grace broke down, her tears falling as she watched her daughter walk away down an empty path. At the road's end, Hazel turned back, a smile gracing her features.

"I love you, Mummy," she called, waving to her mother. Then, her appearance shifted. Her auburn hair transformed into ginger, and her face became indistinct, yet Grace knew it was her daughter.

"I am so sorry, Hazel..." Grace sobbed, collapsing onto her knees. The daughter whose appearance had somehow changed let out a laugh. "I know, and I love you too. The others love you as well," she chimed, before walking forward. At the end of the road stood a tall man with long, raven-black hair.

Although their faces were unclear, Grace understood the message: her daughter was happy and had found peace.

"Mummy!!!" A young boy's voice called out, jolting Grace. She spun around to see her son, Maxwell, running into her embrace, with Tricia following close behind, a smile on her face.

That was right; though she had lost one daughter, her family remained. It was finally time to move forward.

"They are perfect," the ginger-haired lady remarked, pulling Grace back to the present. She scooped a spoonful of food for her husband, who readily opened his mouth. Grace was momentarily stunned, then comprehension dawned.

She chuckled, then turned away, thinking she must be losing her mind. There was no way that girl could have been her Hazel.

Inside the kitchen, her gaze landed on an old family portrait of five. "Please watch over her," she whispered, her eyes fixed on her late husband.

The memory of the day he passed away was still vivid. He had left for work early that morning after a heated argument with his eldest daughter, Hazel, who had refused to see him that particular morning.

It was during winter break, and the children were at the store, lending a hand with whatever they could. Hazel was diligently serving customers, pointedly avoiding any conversation with her mother, as she didn't want to discuss her father.

She feigned anger, but when the phone rang, displaying her father's number, Hazel was the first to grab it.

The phone slipped from her grasp, and she crumpled to her knees, overcome with sobs. It was a call from the hospital; her father had died in a car accident. He had run a red light.

This was strange, considering he had never received a single traffic violation ticket in his life. "It's my fault," she cried, blaming herself. If he hadn't been upset, he wouldn't have died.

From that day forward, she resolved to shoulder responsibilities that were not hers. She matured overnight, struggling to take on numerous extra jobs. She even contemplated dropping out of school.

Her husband had been the primary financial support for the family. While her store generated good income, Hazel's university tuition, coupled with the additional classes the other children were taking, presented a significant financial burden.

Grace had opposed the idea, but by sheer chance, Hazel discovered her talent for writing. This discovery proved to be their turning point. Grace always carried the heavy guilt of not being a good mother.

Tears welled up... she quickly wiped them away. She had vowed not to cry again, yet here she was, weeping uncontrollably.

******

Abrielle's mood continued to lift after departing from the store. Today, she had decided to rent a car, as they had a considerable amount of cash on hand. A portion of Cedric's fortune had been converted into liquid currency.

She intended to teach him how to drive but wouldn't dare let him take the steering wheel. It was a delightful journey to their next destination.

Cedric stepped out of the vehicle, his eyes curiously scanning their surroundings. "Where are we?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued. Abrielle giggled and gently tugged his hand towards the ticket booth.

"You'll find out soon enough," she chimed. After passing through security, they entered the premises. The first sensation Cedric experienced was one of utter chaos.

People were everywhere, creating a scene more frenzied than any marketplace. Abrielle had made certain to dress him in a face cap and mask today, needing to shield him from the prying eyes.

"Is this some kind of trade fair?" Cedric asked, his curiosity evident. Judging by the tents and displays, it bore a resemblance to the trade fairs that occasionally visited Vitalis.

"Close, but this is actually an amusement park. We'll be spending the entire day here," she exclaimed excitedly, her mind already racing with thoughts of which ride to try first.

"Do you visit here often?" he asked, his gaze following Abrielle as she pulled him towards a sweets stand. It was approaching noon, and a perfect time for ice cream.

Abrielle's eyes sparkled as she looked at the ice cream truck. "I used to come with my friends, but I've never been here with my boyfriend," she replied, ready to answer before joining the queue for ice cream. As it was the weekend, the park was bustling with visitors.

"Your boyfriend never agreed..." Cedric questioned, a peculiar sensation stirring within him as the thought of her past paramour surfaced. His thoughts meandered towards that individual bearing a striking resemblance to Lucian, prompting him to speculate if it was perhaps Lucian reincarnated.

As he mused, his mind wandered to this world. In stark contrast to his own timeline, while he could detect mana in the air here, this world felt entirely alien. There was no ambient mana whatsoever, as if magic simply did not exist. He pondered the reason behind this discrepancy.

"Yes, you are going to adore it. I wasn't certain of your preferred flavor, so I selected three random scoops," she explained, mirroring her own order. She savored a taste of her ice cream, melting instantly. Perfection, in a single word. "Incidentally, I never brought a boyfriend along because... I didn't have one," she finally replied to his earlier query, offering an awkward smile. They ambled along the bustling pathway, observing the cheerful crowds.

Cedric suddenly leaned in, his nose nearly touching hers. Startled, she recoiled slightly. "So, that implies I am the sole individual you have been with," he stated. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she bashfully averted her gaze.

"Let's explore the haunted house first," she suggested, swiftly changing the subject and then darting away from him. She felt a sense of urgency, finding it difficult to meet his gaze, a little embarrassed. Cedric let out a soft chuckle and casually caught up to her, taking her hand. "I am delighted to be your first and only," he declared, a radiant smile gracing his features.