Faux Vows, True Desires

"Owen, why are you always making excuses for Cecilia?" Ruby's voice was laced with a hint of displeasure.

She couldn't stand Owen defending another woman.

Owen opened his mouth, but was at a loss for words.

Because he was only speaking the truth.

Seeing Ruby's unhappy expression, he didn't know how to explain, so he chose silence.

"Cecilia's tricks are more cunning than Lucinda's. At least Lucinda is upfront about it. Cecilia always resorts to shady tactics. You guys have been fooled by her."

Owen bit his lip lightly, then asked Ruby, "Ruby, were you crying on the phone because you heard I was marrying Cecilia and you're heartbroken?"

"No, I was angry because of Lucinda."

Owen's hopes were instantly dashed.

Her crying, breaking stuff, staying up all night, it wasn't out of jealousy for Cecilia, but because Lucinda had pissed her off.

His mood hit rock bottom. He had been reading too much into it.

"What did Lucinda do to make you so angry?"

Owen's expression returned to normal as he asked Ruby with concern.

"I wanted to talk to Stefan, so I called him. But Lucinda answered the phone instead. We had a huge fight over the phone, and I lost. It infuriated me."

"Plus, hearing that you and Cecilia are already married, I felt like even you had abandoned me. I was even more upset, so..."

Ruby looked at Owen under the lamplight, his handsome face close to hers. His eyes were full of concern and heartache, and her reflection filled his eyes.

Stefan's eyes held none of her.

But she was all that Owen saw.

Thinking this, Ruby felt a lot better. At least she still had Owen.

Even if Owen was already married, as long as she was alive, she believed that Owen wouldn't forget her. His heart only had room for her, and Cecilia would just live like a widow for the rest of her life.

"Owen."

arms around his waist, and asked softly, "Owen, will you

been you who doesn't

coquettishly, "We're best friends. You're my

ever be her

felt a

grandfather had once said that as long as Ruby had even a little bit of sincerity towards him, he wouldn't stop him from being with Ruby.

much. You need

her back to

her down, he didn't immediately let go of her. Instead, he leaned

wanted to wrap her arms around his neck, kiss

thought was

do that, she wanted to keep her

she also wanted to keep Owen as

lightly touched her

closed her eyes, and her red lips

Owen would forcibly kiss her,

eyes, Owen also touched her forehead. His gentle voice came from above her head, "Have a good

up straight and

"Owen."

sat up and reached out to grab Owen. When Owen turned to look at her, she pleaded, "Can you stay

"Ruby, you know how I feel about you. If you ask me to stay, I won't be able to just chat with you. To avoid regrets for both of us,

dare to hold

"Goodnight."

goodnight, then left

on the

soon as Owen left,

broken shards on the floor, she said to Ruby, "You're wasting family resources. You can be angry, but why destroy your own things? When Owen was here,

not ready yet. Give

hear anything I say? Are you willing to let Cecilia steal

isn't capable

each other since we were kids, for over twenty years. He's loved me for over a decade. How long has Cecilia known him? A few days?

with me. No one can

dealing with one person or two. I can

looked at

Ruby just wouldn't listen. All she could do was do her best to help Ruby

day, early

awakened by