Faux Vows, True Desires

"Hey, Nathan, did you knock yourself silly or what?"

Janice was starting to panic as he remained motionless and silent on the floor.

Should she call 911 for an ambulance for the sake of their two kids? Maybe she should just make the call.

She spun around to grab her phone.

After picking up the phone, she glanced back at Nathan, who was still lying there, staring at her with puppy eyes. Janice hurriedly dialed, but in her rush, she accidentally called their daughter Lucinda first.

Realizing her mistake, she hung up immediately.

But Lucinda called back right away.

Janice reluctantly answered her daughter's call.

"Mom?"

Lucinda sounded groggy; she had had a rough night. Liam and Tiffany's wedding celebration had somehow turned her own husband into a party animal. He must have overindulged because he clung to her all night as if it was their own honeymoon.

She woke up feeling like she had been hit by a truck.

In her novels, she always wrote the male protagonists as insatiable lovers, leaving the heroines weak in the knees. She used to think those were just wild fancies of the writers. Last night, after being tossed around by Stefan, she learned those feelings were anything but fictional.

She lay in bed, not wanting to move, while the man who turned into a wolf the previous night was now sound asleep, showing no signs of stirring.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

Lucinda asked with concern.

"Lucy, I pushed your father over, and he hit the floor, smacking his head. Now he's just lying there, not moving, not talking, just staring at me. Do you think he could have knocked himself senseless? Should I call 911?"

"I meant to call for an ambulance, but I dialed you by mistake."

Since Lucinda had called back, Janice decided to come clean.

Lucinda was puzzled. "Mom, why on earth did you push Dad over? What did he do to you?"

that he was acting on drunken impulses,

him down. Given how much her mom resented her dad, it was a wonder she

family, for crying out loud. How could you just push him

my stomach. When I felt it, it was someone's head - scared me half to death. Turns out it was your dad, that old scoundrel. He sneaked into my room, and

As expected.

something under the influence to

bleeding on Dad's head. I'm heading over

be injured

all

genuine or a ruse, there was bound to

sharp on the floor, he shouldn't be bleeding. I'll check, Lucy. But should I call 911? What if your dad kicks the bucket from my push? You and your brother would never forgive

take down. Don't worry. If you're really concerned,

hunch that

scare her, make her worry, and then while checking on him, he might seize the chance to embrace

her mother, Lucinda, despite feeling weak

what's happened

voice came from

conversation with her mom. He was always alert, never one to sleep too deeply. If there was any disturbance, she

got a shock and pushed him to the floor. Mom thinks Dad might be hurt. Stefan,

sat up, concern etching his

a feeling Dad's just pretending, but I still need to go. If Mom realizes it's a ruse, she'll be livid Who knows what they might get

Lucinda spoke, she began changing

much last night. You don't need to come with me.

drinks and wasn't feeling clear-headed enough to drive

I'll come with you," Stefan said, quickly getting

felt that his presence would prevent her parents from making a scene, not

in front of

The last thing they wanted was for her to lose face, so his

and urged him to dress

she also called her brother Keith to

and Stefan, along with Keith, were hastily driving

to check for any signs of bleeding. There was no blood, and upon closer inspection, not even

hands wrap around her waist, Janice