Faux Vows, True Desires

At Skywatch.

Hayden had been pacing in front of the Porter residence since morning when finally, a door opened, and a servant motioned for him to come inside.

"Does this mean Miss Porter has agreed to see me?"

Hayden asked as he followed the servant through the halls, a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

The servant remained silent.

Hayden took the silence as a sign that he might have a chance, perhaps Madeleine had agreed to meet him after all. The servant's silence was of little concern to him now. However, only Mrs. Porter was present in the opulent main house.

The servant led Hayden in and, with a respectful nod, announced, "Madam, Mr. Hayden has arrived."

Mrs. Porter hummed in acknowledgment, gesturing for the servant to brew some tea, and motioned for Hayden to take a seat.

Hayden sat down, his face brightening into a smile. "Mrs. Porter," he greeted eagerly.

Mrs. Porter's face remained cold, merely giving a nod.

Just the sight of this man reminded her how her daughter had been dishonored by him.

She could hardly hold back from going for his jugular.

Once seated, Hayden glanced around before asking with a flattering tone, "Where's Madeleine? Why isn't she here?"

He gently placed the bouquet on the coffee table, turning to Mrs. Porter. "I've brought these roses for Madeleine. She adores roses, as you know."

steady and firm. "Do you truly intend to take responsibility for my daughter?" She chose not to answer his question. Her daughter and husband had

to my elder brother. But since Madeleine and I have crossed a

mention the mistresses you keep. Your wife may be in the dark, but we are not. My daughter Madeleine is young and beautiful. She's not going

will not allow our Madeleine

never demean Madeleine to such

Porter said nothing and waited

Blue family. She may not bask in

his status as the formidable son of

scoffed, still not

alone were futile;

Mrs. Porter. Tell Madeleine to expect good news; I will not let her down nor allow her

Mrs. Porter farewell before hastily leaving the Porter family. He did not head home

reclined in his office's resting area, thumbing through a stack of

family-from working the fields to picking fruit and enjoying the rural landscape. Despite her simple attire, trying earnestly to fit in,

earnest and

fruit and admiring the rural

had been modernized,

by the place her daughter Lucinda

Janice wanted to retrace; every

let Lucinda suffer, always putting her first. Nathan's face softened as he admired his wife's genuine smile in the photos, an expression he longed to see,

authority. He checked

I need to see you. Is that okay?" Hayden's voice

"Business or personal?"

"Personal."