Faux Vows, True Desires

Owen was fuming when he received a call from Jay. Without a second thought, he bolted from the boardroom and rushed to find Cecilia to clear the air. On the other end, Cecilia stood dumbfounded for a moment before snapping back to reality. She glanced at the pregnancy test in her hand and then at the accuser.

"My man's baby? Honey, do you even know who my man is?"

"I was following you earlier. I saw you hop into his car. Before that, you bought him a sandwich and a coffee. He dropped you off. I saw everything. But I don't know his name. It was a one-night stand, an accident, but this baby inside me is definitely his. I might not know his name, but I remember his face vividly."

Cecilia was speechless.

Owen was a social butterfly; it wasn't entirely out of the question that he could have had a drunken fling.

"You're pregnant with Mr. Malicious's baby? Then you should be looking for him, sweetheart. What do you want with me?"

Cecilia's tone was sharp.

She knew Owen was committed when it came to relationships, but with all his mingling, who could guarantee he wouldn't slip up after a few too many drinks?

"Madam."

Jay hurried over to defend his boss. "Madam, don't listen to her nonsense. My boss has always been a gentleman. Even when he's drunk, we make sure he gets home safe. He's never been alone with a woman after a night out."

"Who put you up to this?"

Jay grabbed the woman, attempting to roughhouse her out the door.

The barista chimed in, addressing Cecilia. "Cecilia, you can't take her word for it. She doesn't even know Mr. Martinez's name. Mr. Martinez is a man of stature, frequents upscale places. If she really had a fling with Mr. Martinez, she'd know exactly who he is."

"It could very well be a setup, a deliberate play to drive a wedge between you and Owen. Wouldn't be surprised if Megan's behind this."

Ruby was out of the picture, and Megan didn't want Cecilia cozying up to Owen. Creating misunderstandings was right up her alley.

"Don't push me, Cecilia, the child inside me really is your man's."

free from Jay and stepped closer to Cecilia, pleading, "If you don't believe me, wait until your man gets here. I'll confront him face

turmoil, almost swayed by

considering Jay's words, she regained her

what she knew of Owen, he wasn't the type to do

drunkenly flirted with him, and he had the

end up in such a predicament. The thought of some random woman taking advantage

down, Cecilia was ready to call the

Rex, then at the barista, and said to Cecilia, "We can't talk here. Let's go

test and headed

silence, Cecilia followed her out from

"Madam."

and Rex quickly followed

this is a negotiation between us. Don't let them

them what to do. Their boss has them keep tabs

curb. Come with me,

pointed to a sedan

she followed the woman,

arranged personal protection for

the bad guys to take a shot at her unless they lured her away and shook off her

up, Cecilia stopped short

"What's the holdup?"

also stopped and

grip on her purse,

else in that car. If Cecilia got in, she might end up

the staff across the street to do some shopping, and those two guys are keeping watch

arm. "Let's go back to my café and have a proper chat. Tell me everything about

pulled the woman back toward the

play her for a fool. If someone dared to con her, she'd expose