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."

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

always been you who doesn't

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

only ever

a

bit of sincerity towards him, he wouldn't stop him from being with Ruby. However, Ruby wasn't willing to give him even that little

You need to take care of your

let Owen carry her back to her bed

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

arms around his

thought

do that, she wanted to keep her

if Owen wanted to kiss her, she also wanted to keep Owen as a backup option,

lightly touched her

eyes, and her red lips twitched

forcibly kiss her,

voice came from above her head,

he stood up straight and turned

"Owen."

her, she pleaded, "Can you stay tonight? I can't sleep, can you keep me company and chat?" Owen was silent for

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,

didn't dare to hold

"Goodnight."

then left without looking

the bed in

Owen left,

You can be angry, but why destroy your own things? When Owen was here, why didn't you ask him to stay?

I'm not ready yet. Give me some more time

anything I say? Are you willing to let Cecilia steal Owen right under your

capable of

years. He's loved me for over a decade. How

with me. No

with determination, "There's no difference in dealing with one person or two. I can handle both of

at

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

day,

awakened by