Faux Vows, True Desires

Late into the night, Stefan returned after seeking justice for his wife from the Scott family.

After climbing the stairs, he first went to Janice's room. He didn't knock, though, figuring they were all probably in dreamland by now, so he didn't want to disturb them. He wondered if Lucinda was dreaming about him?

He stood in front of Janice's room for several minutes before returning to his own.

His big bed was lonely with only his pillow and a thin blanket and no beloved wife in sight.

Unable to sleep with his wife, Stefan could only hug his pillow and brave the rest of the night.

The next day, he woke up at his usual time.

After putting on his sportswear, he prepared to go for a morning run. Just as he opened the door, he bumped into Janice, who was about to head downstairs.

"Janice."

"Stefan, you're up early."

Seeing it was him, Janice smiled and said, "Why not catch some more z's?"

"I'm used to waking up at this time. Did you sleep well last night?"

"Slept like a baby."

After being talked down by Fiona, she wanted to take a break from the mess of her marriage to Nathan and just enjoy the good times with Lucinda. The rest could wait. Less stress, better sleep.

Janice seemed to be in a much better mood today.

Stefan's gaze moved beyond Janice.

"Lucinda's still catching some Z's. She looked so peaceful, so I didn't have the heart to wake her. Go on, Stefan, go get your workout in. I'll whip up some breakfast for you guys."

let's leave that to

Stefan followed Janice downstairs.

doing something. I want to cook something good for you guys. Lucinda's never had my cooking. Back when things

was Janice's wish, Stefan didn't say

of laps in the yard and then headed

still busy in the kitchen, with Emma helping her. The two of them were chatting and laughing away. Stefan stood at

gave a chuckle

wasn't in the room, he went right in and saw Lucinda still asleep. He walked over, deliberately sat

wanted to see if his gaze

but reach out and touch her face and lips, and then tugged lightly at her ear

electric fly

time she swatted

angry and swung

it, her hand was caught by the

quickly opened her eyes, only

bed with her mother last night, so why did she wake

Was she dreaming?

closed her

was a familiar masculine

real; she wasn't

but he caught her hands, pinning them above her head. His lips pressed harder against hers, giving her a deep

his wife's drowsy state to steal a

were full

every morning was a treat, filling her

"Sweetheart."

his thigh. "How did you get in?

downstairs, making breakfast for us. She said we've never had her homemade breakfast, so she's

"My mom's cooking is

really question it. Only my dad can stomach the food she cooks. My brothers and I can't eat it. Every time my mom says she's cooking, my brothers and I find