Faux Vows, True Desires

"He isn't planning to divorce."

Janice went quiet for a moment, then turned to her daughter and affectionately said, "Lucy, we'll handle our own problems. You don't have to worry about it too much. As long as you are doing well, I will be doing just fine."

"Mom, I've been doing great. Before I was married, my parents and brother took really good care of me. After marrying Stefan, he spoiled me rotten. Now, having found you guys again, my life is even better." When it came to her son-in-law, Janice looked towards Stefan. He was amazing with both her and her Fiona, always so patient. He'd sit with them, chat about this and that, just being an all-around awesome guy.

A smile spread across Janice's face as she said contentedly, "Not only did I find you again, but I also got a perfect son-in-law. It's enough to make me smile in my sleep."

Despite Stefan being as dashing and wealthy as her husband, his family's attitude was nothing like that of the Blue family's. The Andersons always stood firmly by Lucy's side. The men in the Anderson family, once they got married, stuck to their vows, forever and always.

It was the ideal marriage.

After spending a few days with the Andersons, Janice found herself wanting to stay there long-term, the atmosphere was just that good and welcoming.

No wonder the Andersons were top dogs in Pinehurst.

A harmonious family led to prosperity and who could argue against that?

The Andersons were the perfect example. They had a big family and a lot of wealth, but they always kept a low profile, never showing off.

Janice even saw the Andersons' grandmother sitting in a field chatting with the local farm-workers about crops. If she didn't know any better, she would think that she was a lifelong farmer.

Who would've thought that in her youth, she was a fierce woman standing by her husband's side in the business world?

"Mom, don't be like that, I'll get jealous. You guys are all so nice to Stefan."

Janice patted her nose affectionately and said, "Well, his family treats you even better, don't they? So, of course, we must be extra nice to him. It's all about give and take. If you only take and never give, it'll eventually hurt the other person."

thought of Owen and

when it came to

she knew was to take and never give.

after exposing Ruby, Lucinda hoped that once Owen received the gift Stefan had for him, he would finally let go of Ruby.

couldn't help but

people think she was mean for taking such pleasure

cared? Even if they did, she'd still laugh. If Ruby ended up with nothing,

heard Stefan has a villa somewhere else, I'll move there in a couple of days. I don't want to face your

a lot of properties, but I didn't ask for the specifics, so

to her to manage, but she was afraid that having such a large sum of money would make her

which would roughly amount to several

eventually have to accept

she would dutifully start

day so she could hide her identity when she

Estate, Lucinda went over and sat next to her adoptive mother, telling Stefan, "Stefan, my mom says she doesn't want to go back to Ascend Estate. She'll be staying at your Diamond Ridge Estates

the

want to come with

back to the mansion, right? Then I'll just stay at your rented place for a couple of nights. You haven't canceled your lease yet. If no one stays there, it'll

about canceling. It

to the mansion, you can move into Diamond Ridge Estates with us. If you want to go back to the

mom stay at a rental

at the rental place is much more convenient as it is only a

biological mother. She thought that if she was around, Lucinda would be torn, afraid of neglecting either one of her mothers. Fiona didn't want to see her daughter so

since she was a child, and even if she

for