Faux Vows, True Desires

Janice peered at her son's face, her eyes searching for signs of deception as she asked him yet again about the girl. She could tell Keith wasn't lying.

With a hint of disappointment, she said, "It's a shame you've met a girl you actually admire, and you don't even have a foot in the door yet."

Then, brightening up, she added, "No worries, just keep seeing her. Who knows, sparks might fly eventually. I have this feeling you two might just end up together."

Keith let out a long sigh. "Mom, how can I keep seeing her when I don't even know who she is or what she looks like? And what if she's married? She might have kids old enough to be raiding the cookie jar."

Janice was at a loss for words.

"Mom, I'm still young. There's no rush to settle down, especially with our family situation, which you're well aware of. I don't want to drag someone else's daughter into this mess. Give it a few years, and we'll see. And if you're itching for grandkids that bad, why don't you pester Lucy and Stefan to get a move on and have a baby?"

"I wouldn't mind being an uncle," Keith added with a playful grin.

Janice sighed, "I guess I'm the one getting ahead of myself. You're right,

considering the current state of our family, it might be better for you to wait a few more years to tie the knot."

"Mom, it's our family," Keith emphasized.

Janice fell silent, then said, "When I get back, I'll talk to your father about the divorce. If he refuses, I'll file for it myself."

"Mom, Dad's got his reasons," Keith tried to interject.

"I don't care about his reasons. He's neglected us for over two decades, left me to be ridiculed and tormented by that Kayla Ashley. Just thinking about all the years of hardship makes it impossible for me to forgive him."

him anymore, I just want to be

indifference-it often came when love and hate had both faded

Janice knew she still harbored resentment toward Nathan, yet she

didn't try to persuade his mother further. He couldn't fully comprehend the pain his

had a bit to drink, might've been a little

under her breath, too low for

to bed. You should get some rest

his mother's focus successfully shifted to his father,

boy, thinking I don't know he did that

She wasn't fooled anymore.

her; she seemed just right for her son. But who was she, what did she

to her daughter later, to ask her and her son-in-law to help

get married in the next few years,

into bed, Janice returned to her

following days were busy for everyone, with the hustle of daily life blurring the line between day and

brought the grand wedding of Liam and the

opted for a traditional Western wedding in

and Darlene served as Tiffany's bridesmaids. Darlene, always the stunner, feared she might overshadow the bride on her big day and had her

Owen, who had practically begged to be part of the crew Liam, not wanting to let Owen's presence dampen his special day, graciously accepted him in

Liam wasn't as famous as his brother Stefan, his wedding was still the talk of the city. The procession of luxury cars thạt made up the wedding motorcade was a

the church, Liam, dapper in his tuxedo, beamed with pride. As Tiffany walked

leaned over to Stefan and whispered, "Liam

back, "and I'll be even