Faux Vows, True Desires

After Cecilia left, Stefan and Keith walked in together.

"Stefan, bro, what brings you guys here?"

Lucinda greeted them with a warm smile.

Neither man had brought their bodyguards; in Pinehurst, Keith always felt most at ease.

He had great faith in his brother-in-law's ability to keep things safe, believing that on his turf, there was no need to worry about any threats.

"Is it unwelcome for your brother to come for a coffee? Or do you think I'm just being a third wheel?"

Keith spoke with a playful grin, not pausing as he picked a spot to sit down, making it clear that even as a third wheel, he was there to stay.

Stefan's gaze was tender as he looked at Lucinda. "Cecilia's not around, right? I thought I'd come over and lend a hand. I'm just loafing around at home anyway." Since tying the knot, his weekends were always spent with Lucinda.

Their friends teased him for abandoning them for his woman.

Stefan, however, stood his ground firmly, declaring that it was Lucinda he'd be with for life, so of course, she took precedence.

That left his friends without a comeback.

"Where's Dad?"

"He's with my dad." Stefan replied.

Lucinda nodded in understanding.

"Need any help with anything?"

at the moment, but I might need your help later

some coffee?"

a rough night and

to prepare coffee

someone who had a rough night," she teased

watching his little sister with an amused expression, "Just

that moment, someone else

husband saw who it was, her

was

only boyfriend

else. Lucinda had told his wife about his antics, leading to their divorce. Mrs. Mitchell had even thanked Lucinda for revealing George's true

Mrs. Mitchell's eyes, George was a social climber who lost his status

and had almost forgotten

Lucinda, George was a

shared a real connection, and it was she who made the first move in their relationship. They had kept things proper, but her psychological barriers had vanished when

at how she and Stefan seemed destined to be

chose betrayal. Even knowing that Stefan had a

hopes of healing the wounds George left, unwittingly pushing her into the trap Stefan had laid. "What are

was calm as she looked

in to

before replying softly, "Lucy's ex,

stepped forward with a pleading tone, "Lucinda, can we talk

her personal matters, even if it pained him. "Just give me a moment," Lucinda

turned to see Stefan, faltered as if to say something, but ultimately stayed silent and took a seat in the corner, a far cry from his former

Mrs. Mitchell, George was