Faux Vows, True Desires

Cecilia hailed a cab and made her way to the grand Martinez estate, carrying a bag of carefully selected health supplements. She didn't call Owen ahead of her arrival; instead, she simply rang the doorbell. The Martinez family's security had been eyeing the taxi since it pulled up.

When Cecilia stepped out, the on-duty guard was caught off guard, and it wasn't until the doorbell chimed that he remembered the girl at the door was their young mistress.

The marriage between the young master and the young mistress had been a forced affair by the patriarch, and it was common knowledge that the young master didn't fancy his wife. Still, Trenton had decreed that Miss Cecilia was to be their young mistress.

Despite knowing she was not particularly welcome, the guard didn't dare to bar Cecilia's entry. He hurried out of the guardhouse, opened the door, and greeted her respectfully, "Mrs. Martinez."

Cecilia ceased ringing the bell and responded with a polite smile, clarifying, "I'm not your Mrs. Martinez anymore."

She and Owen had divorced and hadn't remarried yet, the title of Mrs. Martinez no longer applied to her.

The guard simply smiled, gestured for her to enter, and said, "Please, come in, Mrs. Martinez."

Cecilia pursed her lips but chose not to correct the guard again.

It was a worker's life; they simply followed the orders from above.

Cecilia entered the mansion, holding her bag of health supplements.

In addition to the store-bought items, she had brought a pot of nourishing soup her mother had prepared, kept warm in an insulated container, as a peace offering.

Becca Yates, seeing her daughter's intention to care for Owen despite the injury he sustained because of her, offered silent support and didn't utter a word of protest. She had passed the scene of the incident that morning and still saw blood on the ground.

estate, the on-duty guard

learning of Cecilia's arrival, Derek made his way to the dining

in the dining room;

patriarch and whispered, "Sir, Cecilia has

briefly as he glanced at his grandson and instructed softly, "Go greet

If it got any worse, he might not be able to

asked with concern, "Bro,

Owen replied

from Harry, knowing it would become a jest to hold over him later. The Martinez brothers knew all too well that brotherly love and respect were not their strong suit, unlike the tight-knit

of his grandson's arm, the patriarch inquired, "Owen, is your wound

worse," Owen admitted. "I've informed our family doctor. He should be here soon to change the

the discomfort was starting to interfere with

sure the doctor gives

down the stairs, signaling

entered the dining room and greeted the patriarch. Trenton's regard for his daughter-in-law had waned over time, regretting his momentary weakness in yielding to his son's wishes to marry a woman who brought nothing but vanity to the family. A wise wife was invaluable, as evident in the Anderson clan, where each

Shane, Aunt Bertha," Harry

with warmth, while Olina barely acknowledged her nephew with

dining in her home soured Olina's mood. Yet, it presented an opportunity to convey a

Gina is about Owen's age and still single due to her

tycoons, their true standing recognized only by those

of Pinehurst's wealthiest families before setting her sights on the Dempsey heiress. Gina Dempsey might have been assertive, but she was cultured and refined