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

always been you

"We're best friends. You're

could only ever be her male best

a pang of

he wouldn't stop him from

it's late. I'll take you back to your bed to rest. Don't think too much. You need to take care of your foot injury so

back to her bed and

her. Instead, he leaned down and

arms around his neck,

thought was

do that, she wanted to keep her

if Owen wanted to kiss her, she also wanted to keep

touched her

her eyes, and her red lips twitched

thought Owen would forcibly kiss her, but

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

up straight

"Owen."

pleaded, "Can

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, I should go

didn't dare to hold onto

"Goodnight."

said goodnight, then

the

Owen left, Megan

floor, she said to Ruby, "You're wasting family resources. You can be angry, but why destroy your own things? When Owen was here, why didn't you ask him to stay? He would definitely

ready yet. Give me some more time to

Can't you hear anything I say? Are you willing to let Cecilia steal Owen right under your

isn't capable

were kids, for over twenty years. He's loved me for over a decade. How long has

is with me. No one can take him away.

difference in dealing with one person or two. I can handle

looked at Ruby

listen. All she could do was do her best to help Ruby achieve her

next day,

was awakened by