Faux Vows, True Desires

The whole time, Ike was basically a mute. Anything his little sis could handle, he didn't need to butt in.

Even though their family doted on her, they never spoiled her rotten. They were always there for her, trying to help her grow into a strong, independent woman. But just as she was starting to blossom, she got all starry-eyed for Stefan.

"I'm gonna change."

Ike gently tousled her hair and said softly, "Go ahead."

Lucinda wasn't bothered by Mrs. Mitchell's comment about her looking nothing like her brother.

When Lucinda went into the apartment complex, Ike fell into deep thought. The whole family knew Lucinda wasn't their biological daughter. His real sister got sick when she was just a few months old and didn't make it. Everyone was heartbroken, especially their mom, who cried every day.

Dad's attempts to comfort her were useless. Then one day, Dad brought home Lucinda, a child he said he found.

She was dressed in nice clothes and wore a gold necklace. His real sister's name was Lucinda, so they gave the orphan that name.

Lucinda wore that gold necklace for years. After she started school, she stopped wearing it and it was now kept safely by their mom.

Lucinda had been part of the Moore family for nearly 24 years and was as much a part of the family as anyone else. As for the fact that Lucinda didn't resemble them, their mother told a white lie, saying she took after her grandmother, not them. Their grandmother had passed away a long time ago; Ike didn't even have any memory of her. So, Lucinda didn't pay much attention to comments about her not looking like them.

Lucinda quickly finished changing.

Ike watched as his sister slowly approached him. Even in a plain long dress, she was a natural beauty. The thought of his sweet sister being with Stefan made him feel blue.

"Ike."

beautiful face. Her dark eyes were

for Stefan.

no time at all,

"Let's leave. I'm starving."

be famished. I thought Stefan and

just chuckled and

buckled her seatbelt and said, "It's so cool today because of the rain, that's why I fell asleep so easily. I'm sorry for making you starve. Once I get

started the car, he indulgently patted her forehead again, "I think you're trying to sabotage me. Eating heavy at night can make people fat. Are you trying to

charming. You can get anyone you want whenever you want. But you're not getting any younger. You're turning thirty next year.

his thirties was still young. He

chatted and laughed all the

outside the hotel

Stefan came over. He gallantly helped Lucinda open the

I can walk just fine. I don't need your

but he ended up lifting her out of

the stranger was grinning at her. Ike looked puzzled as Stefan held his sister and didn't let

Ike called out

grinned, and casually put Lucinda down. Then he whispered, "I wouldn't mind

His

over and pulled his sister away from

approached, joking, "Ike, are you afraid my

did Lucinda realize this man was Stefan's brother. He had many brothers, which one was this? She eyed the stranger. He looked a bit like