Faux Vows, True Desires

"What are you standing around for? Come and say hello to Darlene."

Lucinda was troubled by the aloofness her brother exhibited towards Darlene.

Darlene was a beautiful woman, and if Keith showed no interest in her, Lucinda was left wondering what kind of girl could possibly catch her brother's attention.

Upon their mother's prompting, Keith took a few steps forward. He gave Darlene a polite nod, his face remaining as cool and expressionless as ever. He did not bother to exchange pleasantries, but in his own way had greeted her.

He had only bothered to show this much courtesy for his sister's sake.

Otherwise, he would've kept a safe distance of at least ten feet.

Darlene had been watching this man from the corner of her eye. At first, she thought he was a bodyguard for Lucinda and her mother, but when she saw the actual bodyguards standing at a distance, she realized he was not one of them. Now, knowing that he was the heir of the Blue family, she gave him a closer look.

According to her research on the Blue family, Keith seemed to be a bit of a recluse, especially when it came to women outside his family. At twenty-four, he hadn't even had his first love, and in matters of the heart, he was as innocent as a blank slate.

He was handsome, if a bit frosty, and under normal circumstances, would've had a slew of girls chasing after him. But he remained untouched, probably due to his parents' failed marriage, which had likely left him wary of relationships.

This was Darlene's hypothesis and it gave her a pang of sympathy for him.

Seeing her stare, Keith assumed she was like every other woman who had laid eyes on him. He figured she was infatuated with him.

He frowned slightly, annoyed by her attention. He glared back at Darlene. But instead of adoration, he saw sympathy in her eyes.

Sympathy?

She pitied him?

Did he need her sympathy?

Was she using this tactic to capture his attention?

Keith doubted Darlene for a moment, but he quickly dismissed his suspicions.

trusted his

not befriend

probably saw him more as a brother than anything else. Of course, Cecilia might not have noticed

that he wasn't as great as

aware of his reputation among women in Skywatch,

is Darlene, my new friend. You don't have to put on such a cold face, you're scaring her," Lucinda interrupted their silent stare-off, hoping to prevent

frosty demeanor melted away, replaced by a

keep a straight face. Is this better?" Keith's

he was towards his sister, much like how

He always has this stern look on his face like someone owes him a fortune, but you don't have to be afraid of him. We owe him nothing, so even if he looks as cold as marble, don't

laughed, "I'm not

response. If she had been scared, there

attracted to a woman who

Darlene,

the outside world, Darlene seldom

and cranny of Pinehurst, as her job as a detective often required her

had just

to investigate

had failed to dig

more and more arrogant and wanting to know his enemy better, Owen had no choice but to seek help from the

agency couldn't find anything about Avery, Owen

kind of detective agency couldn't even investigate a

deep cover, wasn't going to reveal her true identity

shopped, Darlene started to enjoy it

Lucinda and her mother bought a lot

bodyguards were soon laden

was as dark as thunder when his

would sneak a glance at him. She couldn't help but laugh

who he was, noticed

glared at her in