Faux Vows, True Desires

Stefan and Keith locked eyes, but neither of them said anything right off the bat.

They weren't unwilling to stick up for Nathan; it's just that they felt Nathan was so cold-hearted that he'd hurt Janice really badly.

Janice's mental breakdown didn't happen overnight; it was more like death by a thousand cuts.

Nathan might have been too busy hunting for his daughter and running his business to give Janice the attention she needed, plus all the blame from everyone else at home. Over time, she became mentally unhinged.

One thing was clear: she had lost all hope in Nathan before her breakdown.

Stefan felt like all this was a private matter between Nathan and Janice, and it wasn't his place to step in.

Keith, on the other hand, felt that his dad failed to protect his mom, let her mental health deteriorate, and then got close with Madeleine Porter. Madeleine had been eyeing his mom's spot for a while, so Keith hoped his parents would divorce.

He wanted his mom to stay in Pinehurst with his sister, which he thought was a better setup than going back to Skywatch.

So he wasn't in the mood to make excuses for his dad.

Stefan was hoping Keith would speak first, and Keith was hoping Stefan would break the ice, so they just sat there eyeing each other, and in the end, neither of them said a word.

Seeing no response, Nathan took his eyes off the photo and looked up at his son and Stefan.

They were both smart cookies; they knew everything he had done.

Their favoritism towards Janice was clear as day; how could they possibly stick up for him?

"Uh, Nathan, I think you and Janice should sort out your stuff on your own. It's hard for others to step in when it comes to relationship matters." Stefan finally broke the silence. Keith, however, didn't utter a word.

if he took sides with either one,

he chose to keep his

gave a slight smile, but Stefan thought it looked worse than a

a deep sigh in his heart, considering the current situation, and accepted Stefan's suggestion. The

Stefan told Nathan and Keith, "Nathan, I'm

Nathan nodded.

Stefan brought out his treasured photo

to Nathan was a bit painful for

also a way to show him his deep affection

but before he could flip through them, Keith

at his father, confused and

see Lucy every day, yet you still want to steal my chance to look at the albums. Don't you think you're overstepping a bit?" Nathan said. Keith

be even less welcome in his father's

thank you." Nathan showed gratitude

really happy if you didn't criticize me for chasing

want to criticize you, but you've had your eye on Lucy for a long time and only started acting on it

Global, Stefan started his pursuit, trying to bring Lucy into the Anderson family as a family member. His actions were meticulous without any flaws, leaving Nathan

Mitchell, Nathan would kick him out without hesitation. He would never

Stefan was secretly nervous.

seemed that he had passed the test in front of his

the albums. Holding them in his hands, his expression was like he was holding the world, which made Stefan even more

felt that Nathan seemed to have some

while, Nathan, prodded by his

that Lucinda had been found wasn't kept hush-hush and quickly