Faux Vows, True Desires

"You've got a whole army of staff at your disposal, just say the word and there's a line of people eager to wait on you," Cecilia said, trying to pry the arms wrapped around her waist.

He claimed his injury was so painful he couldn't even hold cutlery steady, yet when he held her, his grip was strong enough that she couldn't break free.

He was clearly lying, deceiving her!

Her former mother-in-law couldn't stand the sight of her, blaming her for Owen's injury, branding her a 'jinx' that brought bad luck to men. If she stayed, facing her day in and day out would only end in mutual loathing.

For the sake of it being his mother, she swallowed her anger and didn't make a scene.

But she really didn't want to stay.

Marriage was the union of two families. Without her mother-in-law's approval, conflicts were bound to surface post-marriage. Perhaps this was why her family disapproved of her relationship with Owen.

Cecilia was also hesitant to commit.

If she severed the ties now, it would still be timely, preventing future hurt.

Upon overhearing the words Olina had spat out when she arrived with Derek, Cecilia was determined to distance herself from Owen.

"I don't want them to feed me; I want you to. Cecilia, would you really be so heartless as to let me starve?" Owen, shamelessly clinging to her, pleaded pitifully, causing the onlookers' expressions to vary. Harry could tell his brother had genuinely fallen for Cecilia.

He mused to himself: After Owen had let go of his fixation on Ruby, he quickly became invested in his feelings for Cecilia.

Perhaps Owen's heart had died to Ruby a long time ago, but his stubbornness persisted for years, preventing him from truly letting go.

With Cecilia in his life, Owen gradually shifted his focus and affection onto her, finally moving past Ruby.

It was quite the turnaround, and Harry had actually rooted for Owen and Ruby, because their grandfather disliked Ruby. If Owen insisted on being with Ruby, it would disappoint their grandfather, giving Harry a chance to rise in status.

Unfortunately, Owen had come to his senses and was able to let go of his decade-long obsession with Ruby.

When Olina tried to speak, her father-in-law glared at her, silencing her immediately.

everyone come out to watch,

released her, she

"Cecilia."

like a lost puppy, refusing

don't need to see me out. I can manage

"Cecilia."

think before she speaks, don't take it to heart." Cecilia

felt like

a mother who only knew how

he

it's etched in my brain, unforgettable. Mr. Martinez, I'm the 'jinx' you're talking about, the one who brings bad luck to her husband. You're better off staying away from me, lest you meet

a

it weren't for the fact that Olina was Owen's mother, Cecilia would have given her

and his grandfather had countered Olina's words, Cecilia

"Cecilia, I'm sorry."

done nothing

"My mom, she just..."

like me, I get it. She's been against me since

Olina liked her or not because she didn't love Owen and knew their marriage

cared about Olina's opinion because she had

emotions were involved,

mom may not like you, but we don't have to live with her for the rest of our lives. In the future, we can move out

him, his father may not have taken a stance, but Owen knew his father also looked down on the Yates

was fraught with unnecessary trouble

into the conversation, and simply said, "Mr. Martinez, I really don't want to talk about this right

that, she turned and walked

time. He turned back to his family and, with a thud,

quickly signaling

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