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

how they found me, did you remember anything? Like, the baby you're holding is not

with me. She's here; this is my daughter! Ethan is not my son; he's my husband. My

names of the father and son were not similar when they were named. But if her

a voice in her ear saying, "Your son's name

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

a sudden that his name

bean behind her left ear. Is it the left ear or the right ear? It's the left ear, yes, the left

if my

the doll's ear, but

Where's

the mole behind my

Janice see the mole behind her

I love hearing you call me mom. It always feels like we're a real mother and daughter. But we're about the same age; how can my daughter's mole appear on you? It's

daughter, your biological daughter;

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

"Lucy."

but seeing Stefan gently patting Lucinda's back,

is my daughter; yes, Lucy is my

hugged the doll tightly, and began pacing back

they didn't know when Janice would

said to Mason Moore, "Let's

are old. We need to rest at noon. We'll go

old and easily moved to

old folks couldn't bear to

to send someone to guide them back to

Stefan called Nelson, nearby servants

Lucy, your parents should go rest too. They got

hoped Lucinda could spend

Lucinda always had to consider