Faux Vows, True Desires

Olina and Megan strode into the cafe one after the other.

They had been all smiles and laughter stepping out of their car. But as they pushed through the door, their expressions tightened as if someone owed them a fortune and refused to pay up.

Upon seeing Cecilia, Megan's face soured with a gaze poisoned with envy. Dressed to the nines in her evening gown, Cecilia was shining like a star.

As for Lucy, Megan no longer dared to treat her with the same disregard. Even Olina wouldn't dare cross the towering figure backing Lucy-not to mention Megan herself. Gone were the days when the Scott family ruled the roost in Pinehurst. Even at their peak, they wouldn't have the nerve to provoke the mighty Blues of Skywatch.

Megan's thoughts turned to her own daughter, who was nearing thirty. No amount of makeup could eclipse Cecilia's youthful beauty.

And considering how Owen's affections seemed to be drifting towards Cecilia, Megan's hatred for the younger woman simmered dangerously.

In her eyes, Owen's decade-long love for her daughter couldn't have just evaporated overnight. It had to be Cecilia's doing to poison Owen's mind against her daughter.

Did Cecilia think she could comfortably settle into the role of the Martinez family matriarch just because her daughter was out of the picture?

They were divorced!

Dreaming of remarriage?

As long as Megan drew breath, she vowed to muddy the waters and thwart Cecilia's plans.

fueling her, Megan's words came out sharp and

that dress, Olina. She looks like a streetwalker. Is this how she drums up business? No wonder her little cafe is so popular-those customers aren't here for the

a half-finished glass of water from a nearby table and splashed it right

mouth. She went inside and emerged with a bucket of water which she dumped over Megan's head as she shrieked insults at

such that even Olina, standing

two matrons screamed

at Lucy and Cecilia, "Is this

to be respectable in front of me? You have the gall to talk about shame when it was

a streetwalker, and Cecilia

are guests in your cafe. Megan and I came to support your business. What do you mean by dousing her with water? Apologize to Megan at once!" "Guests? You two are no guests of mine. Support my business? That's a laugh. I

about my outfit? Can't you see what I'm wearing? If I'm a streetwalker for wearing an evening gown, then you've been masquerading as one for

Olina was speechless.

icy. "Megan, you owe me an

"

apology? What are you? Nothing but

your son. Don't let him be ensnared by this vixen. She's jealous of Lucy marrying into the Andersons and wants to claw her way up too. But with her background,

for the ambitious fox

finish her rant, Lucy stepped forward and slammed the bucket over her head,

be outdone, Cecilia reached for a broom. But Lucy called back without turning around,

was Owen's mother,