Faux Vows, True Desires

Madeleine watched as Nathan's expression remained unfazed, a sense of relief washing over her. What she feared the most was that once Janice recovered, Nathan might return to his old love. After all, back in the day, the couple was affectionate.

If it wasn't for Janice's mental breakdown and her inability to fulfill her duties as the matriarch, coupled with Madeleine's shameless pursuit of Nathan, he wouldn't have accepted her, allowing her to accompany him to various social events, assuming the responsibilities of a matriarch.

She had worked so hard and endured so much for so long she couldn't let all of it go to waste.

Seeing Nathan's expression, Madeleine felt slightly relieved, believing that it was impossible for Nathan and Janice to return to their old ways. Janice may have aged well, but she was nearing fifty. How could she compete with Madeleine's youthful twenty-six?

To Nathan, she was a flower in full bloom.

Compared to a wilting flower, everyone preferred a blooming one.

As Nathan opened the door to his room, Madeleine followed him in.

There was no scent of incense in the room yet.

The aphrodisiac incense was still in her purse.

And her purse was in her bedroom.

This wasn't Madeleine's first time in Nathan's room. She walked over to the wardrobe like a wife would, picked out some clean clothes for Nathan, and then proceeded to the bathroom, where she prepared a bath for him. Calling out, "Nathan, I've got your bath ready, go freshen up."

Nathan grunted in acknowledgment.

He stood at the bathroom door, watching Madeleine, his mind filled with images of Janice, who used to take care of him in the same way.

A sweet scent filled the air.

Snapping back to reality, Nathan found Madeleine already in front of him.

"What are you thinking about?"

Madeleine noticed him staring at her with a gentle gaze, a smile tugging at his lips. She involuntarily softened her expression, her eyes filled with tender affection.

She reached for his collar with both hands, ready to help him unbutton his shirt.

"Ma

reached out and held her hands,

"Only now, you realize?"

You should go get some

her hands around his waist, softly pleading, "Nathan, can I stay here and take care of

embrace, Nathan gently

feel like I'm

eyes, you're still young. When you're with Keith, you look like brothers. Don't say you're old, and I don't like hearing it.

"Hahaha."

Nathan laughed heartily.

we're the same age. I'm not old. Now stop teasing

Madeleine pouted.

was

"Got it."

into the bathroom, saying, "Take your time. I'll go

and lightly touched her forehead. She blushed and turned to leave

she was gone, Nathan quietly locked the bathroom door to prevent her from barging in while he was

first time something like

of barging into the bathroom. As soon as she left, she rushed back to her room, picked up her purse, and

his room. Worried the scent wouldn't be strong enough, she lit some more under the bed and closed all the doors and windows, even

few times before walking over to Madeleine, who was sitting on the couch playing with her

wanted to talk to you. You've been away for a few days. Didn't

wrapped her arms around his

couch with her.

"Nathan."

been exposed to the scent of the aphrodisiac incense longer. While waiting for Nathan on the couch, she started to feel the

applauded the

were flushed. She pinned Nathan down, her gaze becoming hazy. She lowered her head to close

off guard, Madeleine fell

"Madeleine."

helped her

smell something? I can't quite

to the floor left her feeling indignant. The effects of the