Faux Vows, True Desires

Liam wrung out the damp towel and wiped his face, trying to shake off the lingering haze of alcohol. After a quick wash of his hands, he carried the basin of used water into the bathroom to dispose of it. Tiffany, seeing him able to take care of himself, was convinced he had been faking his drunken stupor. Her worries

eased.

Honestly, spending her wedding night with a husband drunk to the point of incoherence was not the blissful start she'd imagined. No one would be thrilled about that.

"Babe," Liam's voice echoed from the bathroom.

"What is it?"

"I need a shower. Can you grab me some clothes?"

He was filling the tub, eager to rinse off the stench of booze that clung to his skin. He didn't want to subject his new bride to that reek all night.

"Sure thing," Tiffany replied and went to fetch his clothes. The bathroom door was ajar, so she didn't think twice before entering with the clothes in hand. To her surprise, Liam was already lounging in the tub.

Instinctively, she spun on her heel to leave, then remembered they were now man and wife, and they had just celebrated their wedding. Admiring her handsome husband in his bath was hardly a scandalous act.

She turned back, placed the clothes beside the tub, and advised the submerged figure, "Honey, don't soak too long; wouldn't want you dozing off in there." Alcohol and warm water were a lulling combination.

Suddenly, Liam reached out, grabbed her hand, and gazed at her intently, "Tiffany, we're married now. Call me 'husband' for once. And, how about joining me?"

Tiffany pulled her hand away, "I'd rather not have to fish you out of a cold bath later."

"Come on, let's clean up and hit the hay. It's late."

Suppressing a yawn, she admitted to herself that she hadn't slept well the night before. Whether it was excitement or nerves, she couldn't tell, but the exhaustion was real. Thankfully, the pregnancy had made everyone around her particularly considerate, yet she was still worn out and sleepy.

All she yearned for now was to drift off into the arms of Morpheus.

it seemed like the little one inside knew it was a day

was mindful of his wife's early pregnancy, but he still insisted, gripping

him, "Husband, husband, husband..." She repeated the word several times, adding, "Happy

it's 'husband,' no more

"I'm used to it."

for him; he

have to change that. What if our son starts

considering we might have a

of each. The Andersons always had a soft spot for daughters, but two sons would be just as precious. Regardless of gender, they would be the cherished

a hunch it'll

go of her hand. "Babe, you should get

exited the bathroom. As she lay on the bed, adorned

of ways. Yet, she knew that as long as their love remained strong, every night could be

to himself. He climbed into

night, a man was

his hands

and his teasing, opened her eyes briefly before turning away with a sleepy murmur, "Bunny,

night," he protested, wrapping

Tiffany responded with silence.

"Fine, I'll work late

The night deepened.

of the main house, a shadowy figure, emboldened by the night's spirits, slipped into the room and stood at

No need to question who the woman was-it was Janice, his wife. Their children stayed overnight at the Ascend Hotel, while Nathan insisted on returning to Ascend Estate, all for the sake of being near

many ladies at Pinehurst who had sought to clink glasses with the matrono the Blue family-a

s