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

moment, Lucinda was far from in the mood to admire flowers. Once they were seated, she gently asked Janice, "Mom, when you heard my dad talking about how 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 you adopted; I'm your biological

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

but she remembered that the names of the father and son were not similar when they were

past, there was always a voice in her ear saying, "Your son's name is Ethan, and your daughter's

What's your son's

can't I remember all of a sudden that his name

the size of a bean behind her left ear. Is

if my

doll's ear, but

the mole? Where's my daughter's

look at the mole behind my

letting Janice see

hearing you call me mom. It always feels like we're a real mother and daughter.

daughter, your

She couldn't help but hug Janice, and tears

"Lucy."

to comfort Lucinda, but seeing Stefan gently

daughter; yes, Lucy is my

the doll tightly, and began pacing back and forth in the

everyone's heart ache, and they didn't know when Janice would come to her

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

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

old and

to watch Janice lose her

to send someone to guide them back to their rooms

after Stefan called Nelson, nearby

too. They got up too

here either. She hoped Lucinda could spend more time

always had to