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."

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

in turmoil,

Jay's words, she regained

he wasn't

once drunkenly flirted with him, and

bodyguards, as Jay said, wouldn't end up in such a predicament.

to call the

said to Cecilia, "We can't talk here. Let's go somewhere quiet, sit down, and talk this

retrieved the test

silence, Cecilia followed her out from behind the

"Madam."

and Rex quickly

woman stopped and turned to Cecilia. "Cecilia, this is

tell them what to do. Their boss has them keep tabs on me, and there's

parked on the curb. Come with me, and we'll talk in the car.

pointed to

the woman, she suddenly remembered Lucinda's abduction

arranged personal protection for

to take a shot at her unless they lured

up, Cecilia stopped short

"What's the holdup?"

stopped and turned to Cecilia,

her purse, a sign of nervousness, perhaps

must be someone else in that car. If Cecilia got in, she might

do some shopping, and those two guys are keeping watch at the door. It's

forced smile, Cecilia took the woman by the arm. "Let's go back to my café and have a proper chat. Tell me everything about how you bedded my man. Without the juicy details, I'm

the woman back

play her for a fool. If someone dared