Faux Vows, True Desires

She hadn't told her mom that Stefan was already head over heels for her. It was likely she was stuck being his wife for life. As for anyone else getting close to him, they'd have to wait until he was six feet under

"Mom, Stefan and I are adults. If we can't make it work in the future, I can handle getting a divorce. I chose this, and I'll deal with whatever comes. As long as he doesn't dump me, I won't ditch him. As for my freedom, I won't give it up just because of him, and I bet he wouldn't want a housewife who just lounges around all day."

Lucinda's trust in Stefan was rock solid. Sure, he had kept his identity a secret and chased away his rivals behind her back, trapping her in his love nest, but other than that, she thought he was pretty much flawless. A good man who had patiently waited for her to grow up over the past eleven years, Lucinda believed Stefan was the one she could trust her life with.

Fiona watched her beloved daughter, who she had cherished and nurtured with a heavy heart. Raising a daughter was like tending a flower. You water it, feed it, weed it, and care for it until it blooms, only for some son-in-law to swoop in and take it away.

"Since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more. If you're ever bullied in the Anderson family, come tell me. I may not have money, but I've got hands, feet, and a mouth. I'll go over to the Andersons and stand up for you, even if it means getting physical. I won't let them push you around like you don't have family backing you up. Your brother also called and said he'll work twice as hard to make our situation better so he can support you."

"Mom."

Lucinda was deeply moved. This was family. Once she made a decision, her family went from opposing it to fully supporting her.

"Lucy, there's something else I need to tell you." Fiona reached out, tenderly stroking Lucinda's face, her eyes filled with reluctance, "You're not my biological daughter. We adopted you. My poor little girl passed away from an illness..."

Fiona's eyes welled up with tears. Even after over twenty years, thinking about her biological daughter still hurt like a punch to the gut.

find your biological parents and go back to them, I won't stop you. Those dreams you've been having, the mad woman in them, might be your birth

raised for over twenty years. If she really left her, the pain would be unbearable. "Mom." Lucinda embraced her mother tightly from

calm expression on her daughter's face, knowing her intelligence had already figured out the answer. Only when she was honest would her daughter be so calm,

"Lucy..."

my parents. I

parents. If she was abandoned, she wouldn't acknowledge them. If they abandoned her, it meant they didn't want her, so why reunite? Lucinda had no respect for

wouldn't lessen. She would be grateful for the blessing of having two sets of parents. She

I have feelings too. Since you've been having those dreams, it's possible you weren't abandoned. You'll have to unravel the mystery of your birth on your own. Your dad and I can't help you with

biological parents remember me, they'll be looking for me too. If

you've been dreaming. This suggests a telepathic connection between mother and daughter. Your

Lucinda's expression became serious.

worry about us. I've prepared myself for everything. Just do what you need to do, don't worry

another grape, who was beyond moved. Lucinda was grateful for the blessings life had given her. Even though she had left her biological parents when she was only half a year old, she was the beloved baby of the Moore family. They raised her, loved her, and supported her in seeking

giving her a passionate hug. "Mom,

"You really