Faux Vows, True Desires

"He says he's patching things up with Cecilia. Since they're making amends, might as well keep calling her sister-in-law. Save me the trouble of switching back later." Olina was fuming.

And her heart ached seeing her son hurt over Cecilia.

She wanted to check on his wound, but Owen stopped her.

"Mom, it's just a scratch, no need for drama. Your boy's not dying."

"Just a scratch? You're pale as a ghost, clearly bled too much. Cecilia's nothing but bad news. You never got hurt as a kid, and now look at you, all because of her. Owen, please don't go back to her. She's bad luck!"

"Mom!"

Owen slammed down his coffee mug, his handsome face clouded with displeasure. "Don't lash out at Cecilia, alright? It's not her fault. Cecilia isn't bad luck, and she's certainly not a jinx!"

Olina was livid. "You're defending her? Look at yourself, hurt because of her. It's her fault. If it weren't for her, would you be injured? She attracts trouble like a magnet, and now you've gotten caught in it too. Owen, you need to cut ties, clean break. She's no good for you, only dragging you down. Today it's a wound because of her; tomorrow, who knows? Might be something worse, or you could lose your life." "Darling, what are you saying? You cursing our son?"

Shane felt his wife had crossed a line, noting even Trenton's face had turned cold.

"Honey, I'm not cursing Owen. I'm stating facts. Think about it, have they had any good fortune since he's been with Cecilia? It's been one disaster after another. First Ruby's mess, now Owen's injury. It could lead to something worse. Cecilia's a jinx, and it's good they divorced. Who knows what could happen next if they stayed together? If she were right for him, things would be smooth sailing." Owen's face turned stormy.

Fed up, he retorted, "After dad married you, things weren't always smooth, were they? Does that mean you're not right for him?"

He bit back the term 'jinx,' out of respect for his mother.

speechless. "Darling, you see? Owen's blaming me for

was

to

a point. Olina, Shane marrying you didn't guarantee me a trouble-free life. I've had my share of bad luck and even accidents. Was that because Shane married you?' Olina stammered, "Dad, those were

"Hmph!"

isn't all smooth sailing and everyone faces trials? Then why blame

because of Cecilia. It's her

to be robbed. Besides, it was my choice to protect her. The injury was my own carelessness, nothing to do

get hurt, to earn Cecilia's concern, but such

interrupted by

and he couldn't help but feel more anxious. The young master was clearly smitten, chasing after Ms. Yates, yet his mother

said, any person with a shred of pride

Yates had a strong character; surely she couldn't be

Yates remarried the young master, there would be a mother-in-law to deal with, a classic recipe

what brings

when he saw Cecilia. He scrambled to his feet, rushing to her side, wondering how much she had overheard. Remembering Derek's whisper to the grandfather, it must have been about Cecilia's arrival. Trenton hadn't even given him a

suspected his grandfather was toying with him, wanting him to sweat a

upon seeing Cecilia, not even granting

handed Owen a thermos, "My mom made you some soup, it's good for replenishing blood. Drink it while it's warm." Owen was touched. He eagerly accepted the thermos, grinning

soup was

then handed him some supplements she had bought. "These are