Faux Vows, True Desires

Nathan grinned as he yanked open the car door, eager to slide into the driver's seat. But Janice was giving him the stink eye, her face a perfect picture of frosty disapproval. He froze mid-motion. Quickly, he backed out and turned to Stefan, "Hey, buddy, mind if I ride shotgun?"

Stefan chuckled, "Sure thing, man." Then, turning to his wife, he said, "Lucy, why don't you and Mom take the backseat?"

Lucinda watched as her husband graciously offered her father a ride, well aware of her mother's reluctance to object, simply to save face for Stefan. Since her mother didn't protest, Lucinda was more than happy to share the car ride with her parents. "Sounds good," she agreed, climbing in.

Stefan then gestured for his father-in-law to join them. Once everyone was settled, he made his way over to Ike's car, where Vincent Moore and Fiona were set to ride with their son.

"Mom, Dad," Stefan greeted them with a smile, "Wanna join us instead?"

Fiona hastily replied, "It doesn't really matter whose car we take; we're all headed to the hotel. Ike's car is fine for us. Belinda's there too; we'd love to catch up with her."

Stefan's mere acknowledgment had already brightened their day. They didn't feel the need to cram into Nathan and Janice's space. Besides, they were genuinely looking forward to some quality time with their future daughter-in-law.

Belinda had won the Moore family over when she first visited. The Moores were a gentle bunch, not ones to nitpick, and Belinda left them nothing to critique. They felt like their son had hit the jackpot.

"Stefan, your mom's right. Go on, don't keep Nathan and the others waiting," Vincent added.

Ike couldn't resist a playful jab, "Stefan, you know you're not the favorite in-law anymore. Belinda's got that title now."

gentle pinch in response, her usually stern features softening as she nodded at

the shoulder and nodded back at Belinda with a laugh, "Alright then, we'll catch

strolled

Vincent and Fiona. Lucinda knew her adoptive parents were riding with her brother. Ever since Ms. Bishop had come home to meet the parents, they had been over the moon, lavishing affection on her to the point where

cars heading to the hotel. Lagging at the end were probably Owen and Cecilia, the love-struck pair. After a passionate embrace and kiss, Cecilia snapped

grin, "Even better without the crowd. No third wheels

to mind an audience when you

chuckled and took her hand, leading her to his luxury car. His loyal bodyguards had been

ver

everyone watching, you couldn't easily say no without bruising my pride he quipped with a mischievous smile, his face alight with the glow of a successful proposal. He was eager to shout from the

and mutual choice, not obligation or

why Cecilia

realized, unfair to him as well Marriage was for life, and being strong-armed into it by his grandfather had left a thorn in both their sides. Only by removing that thorn could they truly find happiness together. And now, after wooing Cecilia anew and earning her acceptance, their relationship

you purposely chose that moment,"

Tiffany's wedding guests being notable figures in the city, Owen's public proposal not only honored

and becoming the talk of

say no and