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

befriend a

nothing more than a good-looking guy. There was no adoration in her eyes, just a calm acceptance. She probably saw

seemed that he wasn't as great as he

his reputation among women in Skywatch, and it

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

gaze from Darlene and turned to his sister. His frosty demeanor melted away, replaced by a gentle

straight face.

his sister, much like how her own

on his face like someone owes him a fortune,

laughed, "I'm not afraid

Darlene's response. If she had been scared, there would be no chance of a future for the

would never be attracted to a woman

Darlene, and Janice

outside world,

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

had just

wanted to investigate

network had failed to dig up

to know his enemy better, Owen had no choice but to seek help from the best

couldn't find anything about Avery, Owen was ready

kind of detective agency couldn't even investigate a

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

exciting. As Lucinda shopped, Darlene

her sisters, while Lucinda and her mother

were soon laden

had never done this before, and his face was as

now and then, Darlene would sneak a glance at

he was,

glared at her