Faux Vows, True Desires

Cecilia bit her lip and then spoke, her voice steady, "I believe you."

In his own words, if she asked Mr. Coleman to dig some dirt, he could unearth the truth.

He knew it, and he wouldn't lie to her.

She trusted him.

Owen sighed with relief and felt a wave of emotion at Cecilia's trust in him.

"Cecilia," he said with a sheepish grin, "the mastermind behind my so-called heroic rescue was actually Stefan."

Cecilia raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

"Yeah, you wouldn't guess it, right? Stefan's a sly one. Don't be fooled by his gentlemanly facade; the guy's got schemes darker than a stout. I followed his lousy advice."

Cecilia poked his chest with her finger, admonishing him, "Mr. Coleman wouldn't just cook up a plan for no reason. You obviously went to him first. What's going on between you two, huh? You walked right into his trap and now you're complaining about it? You had the choice to use his advice or not. And now you're thinking of ratting out Mr. Coleman? Is that your idea of crossing the river and tearing down the bridge?"

Owen stuttered, "Cecilia, no, that's not it. I'm just being honest with you, that's all."

Yet, inside, he was thankful he hadn't complained to Lucinda. If Lucinda had mentioned anything to Cecilia, she would have been furious.

Being scolded by Cecilia somehow felt better than fearing her wrath.

"Ever since our divorce, I've been a mess, can't eat, can't sleep. Worried sick you'd fall for Avery's charms. In my desperation, I sought advice from someone experienced, hence Stefan. Little did I know he'd hand me a bum steer. You know the saying, 'desperate times call for desperate measures'? Well, I was desperate."

fall for Avery's act. He will never like you; he's deceiving

he's gay or not?

I'm straight as an arrow. The

my wife; I gotta know everything about him. His ancestors would turn in their graves if they knew

have the right to like whoever they want. It's not our

gay cleared up a lot for Cecilia. Someone had

Avery - he was a looker, after all. But his sexual orientation was his choice, and she wouldn't discriminate against him just for being

well of him? I didn't wreck his career out of respect, but thank goodness he's gay. Otherwise, hmph!" The real issue was the force behind Avery - his

own grandpa had said, without Avery's interference, he wouldn't have realized his true feelings

"Does it still hurt?"

Cecilia changed the subject.

ridiculousness of his rescue attempt, she appreciated his honesty and didn't want to dwell

hurts. Hurts

agony, "Cecilia, you know me. Born with a silver spoon in my mouth,

silently before suggesting, "Maybe

take care of

bodyguards at your place? Are you afraid that my

"Cecilia."

"I'm sorry! My mom's got it all wrong; you're not a jinx. Even if being with you did bring me bad luck, I'd willingly take it." "So, you think

was just trying to express how much you mean to me. You're my lucky star, the light in my heart. Being with you is

I can't change. Our

was an unrealistic