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."

Cecilia, I have to tell you something, and you must not fall for Avery's act. He will never like you; he's deceiving you. The truth is, he's gay, and he's

puzzled, "And how would you know if he's gay

as an arrow. The person I really want to, you

The guy's trying to steal my wife; I gotta know everything about him. His ancestors would turn in their graves if they knew he was batting for the same team and

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

lot for Cecilia. Someone had

looker, after all. But his sexual orientation was his choice, and she

grimaced, "Pretending to be my rival and chasing after my wife, and you expect me to speak 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

he wouldn't have realized his true feelings for Cecilia

"Does it still hurt?"

Cecilia changed the subject.

of his rescue attempt, she appreciated his honesty and didn't want to dwell on it. After all, he had done it

hurts. Hurts like

of agony, "Cecilia, you know me. Born with a silver spoon in my mouth, never suffered a scratch, and now this

considered silently before suggesting, "Maybe

take care

servants and bodyguards at your place? Are you afraid that my touch might actually make it worse, considering I'm

"Cecilia."

hand, apologizing, "I'm sorry! My mom's got it all wrong; you're not a jinx. Even if being with you did

you mean to me. You're my lucky star, the light in my heart. Being with you is infuriating, yet it's also liberating and makes me happy. Every frustrating moment with you just becomes a fond memory that cheers me up for days.

looks down on my background, and that's something I can't change. Our worlds are just too different. Unless

an