Faux Vows, True Desires

"Stefan didn't do anything wrong; don't pick on him." Lucinda defended her husband.

Ike poked her forehead lightly again, chiding her, "You're really biased towards your hubby, huh?"

Lucinda, clinging to Ike's arm, pleaded playfully, "I messed up this time, but I'll be careful next time, okay? Don't blame Stefan."

"Next time? This time scared the bejesus out of me. If something actually happened to you, what would our parents do?"

Ike's anger was fueled by fear. He remembered the fright he had.

"There won't be a next time. I'm alright now; don't be mad. You'll age faster if you're always mad. You're a handsome hunk; you haven't found a wife yet, so you can't afford to get old." Ike was both annoyed and amused.

"Let's not tell our parents about this, and definitely not our grandparents." Lucinda advised him.

"Do you think I'm stupid? Telling our parents would give them a heart attack."

Ike finished his sentence and shot Stefan several glares.

He was unaware that his mother had already told Lucinda about her origins, and even less that the incident was caused by Lucinda's background. He thought it was Stefan's identity that had brought trouble upon Lucinda.

When he first heard that Lucinda was marrying Stefan, he was extremely anxious, dropping everything at work to rush back and stop the wedding, but to no avail.

He had warned Lucinda that Stefan was not as benign as he seemed and that she couldn't handle him.

Once she knew about Stefan's true identity, Lucinda had thoughts of divorce. Ike fully supported Lucinda's decision to divorce, but Stefan was too cunning and sweet-talked his sister into staying. Now that the two of them had announced their engagement, he had nothing more to say.

"This isn't Stefan's fault."

well. She knew Ike

fault, whose is it? Only he could attract such trouble." Ike retorted

I think it's because

scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting? You're my

"Ike."

sister, and I'll always be your sister. But we don't share the same parents. Mom already told me; she even gave me

Ike fell silent.

When did this happen?

Lucinda about her origins during

necklace she

lost for

same time, he was a bit

years. But now, his sister might be taken away by Stefan. He couldn't accept this reality, let alone the possibility of Lucinda leaving him to return to her biological

would become real siblings. Then what would his relationship with Lucinda

of losing Lucinda,

but it was only for

twenty years. He believed Lucinda wouldn't forget their bond. Even if she found her

who your biological parents are?" Ike

shook her head, "I don't know yet. Stefan's people are still investigating. We're only guessing that it might be my

met, the dreams

you. Lucy, are you sure you still want to acknowledge them after you find

many dramatic

said gravely, "No matter who they are, I won't let them hurt

Ike was glad for the first time that Lucinda married Stefan. Because Stefan was able to mobilize a large amount of manpower and resources in a short time