Faux Vows, True Desires

Lucinda couldn't quite catch what the people inside were yakkin' about, but she had a rough idea.

A couple and some old folks were taking a leisurely stroll around the mansion. Lucinda wasn't exactly familiar with Ascend Estate. She hadn't been living here for long, and the place was so big that it was easy to lose her way.

Janice spent most of her time cooped up in her room and rarely went out. Keith was too scared to let her out, fearing something might happen.

Lack of exercise meant that Janice tired quickly.

"Lucy, I need a breather. " Janice's voice was soft, almost pitiful.

"Sure, take a break," Lucinda said considerately. "Mom, let me hold the doll for you."

She reached out to take the doll from her mother's arms.

"No need," Janice hurriedly declined. "Baby's asleep. Holding her doesn't tire me. She's a good girl. Let me hold her while she sleeps."

Lucinda went quiet for a bit, then smiled again and said, "Alright, hold her. But if you get tired, let me take over."

Janice nodded, walking and talking. "Lucy, I heard your dad talking about how they found you in the house. It scares me. It scares me that my baby might get lost. There are always bad people trying to take my baby away. I can only feel safe when I am holding my baby."

"You heard all that?"

"I did. But I am puzzled. Why did my husband kneel with you, thanking your parents for finding you? What's the connection between you and my husband? Did my husband's sister get lost? I've been married to him for so long, I've never heard of it."

Lucinda and Stefan shared a look.

Stefan said softly, "Let's rest in the pavilion ahead."

The pavilion was built over a large lily pond and was surrounded by curtains. When drawn, they blocked out the sun.

When drawn back, they could see the lilies.

Summer was lily season.

was a surefire way

they found me, did you remember anything? Like, the baby you're holding is not your baby; it's a doll. The husband you're talking about isn't your husband; it's your son. I'm not the daughter

is my daughter! Ethan is not my son; he's my husband. My son's name

son's name was also Ethan, but she remembered that the names of the father and son were not similar when they were named. But if her son was not named

past, there was always a voice in her ear

think about it carefully. What's your son's name? Does your daughter have any

his name, what's his name? Why can't I remember all of a

anxiously, "My daughter has a mole the size of a bean behind her left ear. Is

my

ear, but of course, there

Where's my

the mole behind

forward, letting Janice see the mole behind

a coincidence. You're named Lucy; you call me mom. I love hearing you call me mom. It always feels like we're a real mother and daughter. But we're about

daughter, your

tried to awaken her, but to no avail. She couldn't help but hug Janice,

"Lucy."

comfort Lucinda, but seeing Stefan gently patting Lucinda's back, she held

daughter; yes,

Lucinda away, hugged the doll tightly, and began pacing back and forth in the pavilion, continuously comforting the

and they didn't know when Janice would come to

and said to Mason Moore, "Let's go back

Stefan, "Stefan, my husband and I are old. We need to rest at noon. We'll go back to

old and easily moved

couldn't bear to

arrange rooms for the two old people and to send someone to guide them back to their rooms so they wouldn't get lost. Ascend Estate

Stefan called Nelson, nearby servants came

Lucy, your parents should go rest too. They got

want to stay here either. She hoped Lucinda could spend more time with her biological

her around, Lucinda always had to