Faux Vows, True Desires

"The missus has been here for a while," the male secretary replied.

Walter paused for a moment, then decided, "Guess I'll wait until she leaves."

"Give me a ring when she's gone," he said before taking off.

In the office, Owen listened expressionlessly as his mother ranted about Cecilia's behavior.

Megan even sent him a one-minute video as proof of Cecilia's disrespect towards his mother.

Owen watched the video several times.

His eyes were sharp, and he could easily tell who was right or wrong.

"Owen, Cecilia is out of line. You need to stand up for me." Olina repeated her point over and over, urging Owen to teach Cecilia a lesson in respect. Owen suddenly stood up.

The two women watched as he walked around the desk to the break room.

Soon, Owen returned with two cups of water.

Each mother took a cup.

"Mom, you've been talking for a while. Have a drink," Owen said, handing his mother a cup of water.

Olina took a few sips, her throat dry from all the talking.

"Owen, did you hear me? We can't let Cecilia disrespect me just because she has your grandfather's support. Which daughter-in-law dares to treat her mother-in-law this way?" Megan sipped her water slowly, not joining in on Olina's complaints.

her daughter as tools, and sometimes she

was using the other for

Cecilia hasn't been staying with us lately. How

said, "Right, she's married to you; she's one of us, the Martinez family. But she's not living with us. Is she looking down on the Martinez family? Or does she

people nowadays don't fancy living with the elderly. They feel there's a generation gap. It's better for

spending more time with Owen, who could guarantee that they

were, after all, husband and

they did some adult stuff,

would be left for

daughter to

might not bring happiness to her daughter, but marrying into the Martinez family would definitely

move into the Martinez family and become the real mistress

his

"We should steer clear of Cecilia's issues. Given her character, if she really moved into the Martinez family, how could she serve you? She would only make you angry. Why would you want to

or I'll be furious. Owen, if your grandfather wants Cecilia to move in, you must adamantly refuse,

the support of the elderly, would only

to their conversation, Owen sneered internally. If Cecilia really moved into the Martinez family,

How greedy!

much from him, and yet she was still

was she greedy, but

the video several times. Cecilia didn't do anything to you. You overreacted and bumped into the table. You can't

instead of your own mother. Regardless, it's all

a rational person; I have no reason. Even if I confront her, I won't be able to satisfy your wish. You can't play the role of a mother-in-law in front of her, and I can't play the role of a husband. I don't consider her my wife, and you don't consider her your daughter-in-law. How can

You have to take

family. Besides, it's our family matter. What right does Lucinda have to interfere?" Owen helplessly