Faux Vows, True Desires

Ethan and his mom took a stroll on the expansive lawn before heading back in.

When Janice returned, she was cradling a doll, a gentle smile gracing her face. She moved with grace and exuded an air of nobility. Looking at her now, no one would guess she was battling mental illness. But apart from Shirley, no one dared to approach her. Even Nathan only stood up from the sofa, but didn't walk over.

"Shirley, take my mom back to her room for some rest," Ethan suggested.

He saw his dad was still around, figuring he had something to say. So, he left his mom with Shirley. Although Shirley would sometimes comment on her condition, deep down she hoped for her to get better. In this house, very few genuinely wished for her recovery.

"Nathan, I'm gonna put baby to bed and get some rest. You should hit the hay early too." Janice no longer referred to her son as 'hubby', just calling him by his name instead.

Each time she called him that, Nathan would smile. Just as he was about to respond, he heard his son gently say, "Mom, got it. You get some rest. I'll take you for a walk tomorrow if I can."

Since Janice fell ill, the Blue family had kept her indoors, worried about being embarrassed and her causing harm. Ever since Lucinda went missing, Janice hadn't left the house for over twenty years. Fortunately, the Blue's yard was massive, so she didn't feel cooped up at home.

Watching his wife head upstairs with the doll and Shirley, Nathan's smile froze, reminding him of a scene twenty-some years ago...

"Dad, you got something to tell me?"

Ethan approached, his sneer evident upon seeing the lost look in his father's eyes.

After his mom fell ill, his dad and Madeleine had gotten quite close. Now, not only did the Blues, but the entire town of Skywatch considered Madeleine as the lady of the Blue household.

had fallen apart. His maternal grandparents and uncles were all gone, leaving only his cousin to keep the family afloat, barely managing. Over the years, without the Blue's support, his cousin and his business would've been swallowed up by someone

was why Madeleine was so cocky; her family was

come to my

gaze, wanting to explain something when he saw his son's mocking look. But he ended up saying nothing

the way, no one could enter the study. It was off-limits to anyone but the Blues.

chose to take calls on the big lawn, a habit he picked up

and son didn't talk all the

streetlights, like loyal soldiers, guarded this piece of land, bringing

guarding the study respectfully greeted them when they

men. They were loyal to Nathan and wouldn't be swayed by anyone. They only took orders from Nathan, not even from Nathan's own father. But they were always courteous to

his

the study being made of wood, the interior was elegantly

a glass of water

photo

sister were twins. Though they didn't look identical, they resembled each other. He took after his dad, who in turn resembled his own father in his youth. His mom said his sister looked like their grandma, but

"Have some water."

glass of water to

took the water his dad offered, saying

no need to be so formal." With a sigh, Nathan added, "Now you're the