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.

inside the Martinez estate, the on-duty guard promptly called

arrival, Derek made

in the dining room; the rest were still

approached the patriarch and whispered, "Sir, Cecilia

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

If it got any

to him, asked with concern, "Bro,

Owen

to hold over him later. The Martinez brothers knew all too well that brotherly love and respect were not their

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

family doctor. He should be here soon to

the discomfort was

the doctor gives you

the stairs, signaling Olina's arrival, followed by Shane

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 son had

Shane, Aunt Bertha," Harry greeted them

Olina barely acknowledged her nephew with a

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

began with a sweet smile, "I've invited Mrs. Dempsey and her daughter Gina over today. Gina is about Owen's age and still single due to her dedication to her career. I thought

tycoons, their true standing recognized only by those within high

before setting her sights on the Dempsey heiress. Gina Dempsey might have been