Faux Vows, True Desires

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"Ha ha ha!"

Lucinda couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh when she saw the spectacle unfold. She almost wanted to cheer on those bodyguards. They were her father's personal security, after all, and they were showing their worth.

Keith's face turned as green as a sour apple when he saw the bouquet sailing his way. He was livid. Luckily for him, someone took the hit, leaping up to catch the bouquet with a flourish. Keith breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't been hit by the bouquet. What a stroke of luck. He owed a big thanks to that bouquet-blocking hero.

When Keith focused on the bouquet catcher, he realized it was none other than Owen. He was stunned for a moment but then it clicked why Owen had been so adamant about being Liam's best man. He was after the jackpot of joy.

"And Owen snags it," Lucinda said with a chuckle to her husband, "I swear, he came just for that bouquet."

Stefan laughed, too, "Just watch him now, heading straight for your friend with that bouquet."

Everyone saw Owen grab the bouquet-well, more like he had lunged for it—and not a single person was surprised. Even Nathan was all smiles, not the least bit miffed that the bouquet destined for his son had been intercepted. His boy wasn't even dating anyone; fate had other plans.

Owen, bouquet in hand, made his way to Cecilia. All eyes were on them. Cecilia sensed what was coming, hesitated for a moment, but then decided to stand her ground and wait for Owen to approach.

"Cecilia," Owen said as he got down on one knee, offering her the flowers with a look of pure devotion, "I caught the bride's bouquet, and they say whoever catches it will be the next to marry, destined for happiness. I want to use this bouquet to ask you to marry me."

"The happiness I've caught, I want to share with you."

"Cecilia, will you marry me?"

hadn't proposed back then; they'd just gone to the city hall, got their marriage certificate, and went their separate ways right after. This time, he'd give her everything that anyone else had. Although it wasn't a rose bouquet, it meant so much more because

fell silent for a

just a moment

Love was love. If he truly wanted to marry her, then she would marry him. Forget about family objections or mother-in-law issues; she just wanted to

moon, quickly pulling out the ring he'd prepared, sliding the sparkler onto Cecilia's finger in the sunlight. This was forever. This time, he would never let go, no matter what storms they'd face. They'd walk together, side by side, through life's challenges,

first shocked, then their faces warmed with smiles. Love was in the air, and they should let it be. As parents, they couldn't

kiss, sharing their hearts with each other. After so many twists and

the passionate kiss, Owen hugged Cecilia tightly and said, "Cecilia, I'm so happy, so

he finished speaking, Cecilia playfully pinched his thigh, causing him to wince

hurts, it hurts a lot. Cecilia, next time,

the most he ever did

means it's not a dream," Cecilia said,

chuckled, "As long as it's real, I'm happy. I was afraid it was just a

with honey. She leaned against his ghest and said, also. feel like

leading lady everyone envies for the

smiled, "I

couldn't resist kissing her again. Meanwhile, Liam was leading his bride away, and the guests began to trickle

Nathan called out as he rushed towards her. Janice, walking with her children and son-in-law, ignored Nathan's call and continued forward. Lucinda and

she got into the car. Janice's gaze was icy as she looked at

demeanor, her frosty

attempting to