Faux Vows, True Desires

"Mom, I don't want to worry you guys. Plus, I can handle things on my own. I can't just run to you every time I hit a snag, right?" "Ever since I was a kid, you and dad always taught me to tackle my problems and only come to you if I really can't manage." Fiona was momentarily silenced by what her daughter had said.

She and her husband had always instilled the value of independence in their children. Perhaps they had done their job too well, as their children had grown fiercely self-reliant. When troubles arose, they often chose to handle them on their own, rather than turning to the family for support.

Had Fiona not been adept at navigating the Internet, she might have remained oblivious to the incident at her daughter's shop.

"Does the woman who trashed your shop come from a wealthy and powerful family?" Fiona asked with concern.

Without waiting for her daughter's reply, she sighed, "Lucy, you see, we're not poor, but if we go up against a rich family, we wouldn't know what to do. We might not be able to help you with your problems. And that's just when outsiders are giving you a hard time. If it's Stefan messing with you, with the Anderson family's power and influence, we might not even have a chance to know about it."

The thought of her daughter being treated unfairly, or even being tricked into believing she was ill, filled her heart with dread.

No, she can't think like that!

Nothing like that will happen!

Fiona quickly dismissed her thoughts.

She was afraid that her wild imagination might become reality.

"Mom, don't overthink it. Stefan said his family is easy to get along with. You've met his grandparents and one of his brothers. Don't you think they're nice?"

"We only met them once, and there's a difference between meeting and living with someone. That's when conflicts can arise."

Lucinda chuckled, "Mom, don't worry, I can handle my relationship with Stefan's family. I saw how you interacted with my grandma when I was a kid. Are you still worried I can't handle these relationships?" "Your grandma was easy to get along with. She's different from others, especially those from rich families."

"Mom."

"Alright, I know you don't want to hear about this. Go wash your hands and we can eat when your dad comes home."

Lucinda nodded and turned to wash her hands.

"Mom."

"Yes?" Fiona started cooking.

He asked what would happen

stopped in her

inquired, "Why would Stefan question your relation to us? Of

thought of the Anderson family's influence sent a jolt of anxiety through Fiona. Had they delved into their family secrets and discovered the truth about Lucinda's adoption? But it was such a well-kept secret. And the timing was

were

she had thought her daughter had come back

years.

their family, no one

had the same dream for two nights. I told him about it, and then he asked me that

hands and walked over, reaching out to grab some food to eat, only

you use

went to get a fork. As she ate, she said, "In my dream, I saw a middle-aged woman who was mentally ill. She was old but very beautiful. She kept calling me her baby, and I felt a strong connection when I

taken away by someone. She cried so hard. I

noticed that

"Mom?"

Lucinda stopped eating.

Her mother's reaction...

be that she

ask her such

many things that ordinary people

are you thinking

back to reality and quickly

poured some water into the

into your novels," Fiona said as she scrubbed the wok. "You are my daughter. I had a difficult time giving birth to you. Even the doctor still remembers you." Lucinda casually said, "That's what I told Stefan when he asked me that question. How could I not be your biological

dream might have been my mother in a

she already

up surrounded by the love of this family. If Fiona claimed her as a daughter, then that's who she was to

parents were to come to her, she would confront them. Why had they left her behind? They had given her

than abandoned. If this was true and her biological family had been searching for her all these

be

treated her even better than

"Is Lucinda back?"