Faux Vows, True Desires

"Cecilia, ease up, would ya?" Owen winced, his ears trapped in Cecilia's firm grip. Despite his protests, his hands made no move to free himself. He could have easily saved his ears from her wrath, but he knew Cecilia was steamed and needed to blow off some steam, so he took it on the chin.

She wouldn't actually tear his ears off, no matter how hard she tugged.

Relenting, Cecilia let go.

"If you pinch my cheek again, if you trick me one more time, I'll grab those ears of yours," she warned.

Rubbing his tender ears, Owen offered her a rueful grin. "Cecilia, when I pinch your cheek, I'm gentle as a lamb. Did I ever hurt you? I got addicted after touching it. I can't help but give it a light pinch." "As for tricking you, it's just second nature to me," he said, refusing to admit any foul play.

It was true, though. In the cutthroat world of business, his mind was constantly scheming to turn competitors into conquests.

"Second nature to trick people, huh?"

Owen paused and then said, "Even if I did trick you, it's only because I want to steal you away to be my wife, to love you for a lifetime."

Cecilia was speechless, struck by the raw emotion he had suddenly revealed.

"Kept saying we were heading home for dinner, yet here you are, not even starting the car," she prodded, desperate to change the subject.

Lucinda to let her know she wouldn't be at the store tonight, reassuring her that the Martinez family's bodyguards were on hand to help so

she called her mother to say she'd

pause, reminded her, "You're not a Martinez daughter-in-law

"I know, Mom."

come home early. Don't keep staying overnight with Owen. You're not husband and wife anymore. Save the sleepovers for

the Yates and the Martinez families was already

future and ensuring Owen truly cherished Cecilia. People often take for granted what comes easy and treasure what is

acknowledgment, Becca hung up, exhaling deeply. Letting go of grown children was

the

his grandson Owen was bringing Cecilia over for dinner. He instructed the kitchen to prepare all of Cecilia's favorite dishes a feast of roast chicken, creamy

it secret, it wouldn't have mattered. With so many servants around, word

chose to turn a blind eye. Having his daughter-in-law on her toes was a

that Owen was pursuing Cecilia again after their divorce, Ashley had even silently rooted for him. If Owen remarried Cecilia, Cecilia's lower social standing would always be a thorn in her side, and Ashley's son

meal being prepared, Ashley sat bolt upright on her couch, murmuring, "She can't

it would be good if Cecilia married Owen? Why the sudden change of heart?" He was the youngest son, free from the pressures of inheritance, content with whatever share came his way, leaving his wife and son to their

I've met her only a handful of times, I can tell she's no pushover. I've heard about Olina and Megan picking fights with her and coming out