Faux Vows, True Desires

The Smiths, a family of four, had not traveled together. If it weren't for Janice's adamant wish to fly with her daughter Lucinda, she would have been on a separate flight.

Nathan and his son, Keith, were the first to disembark.

Before boarding the plane, father and son had been all smiles, but upon landing

at Skywatch Airport, their expressions turned stern. Keith, in particular, had a face as cold as ice.

The two men, dressed in matching suits, were followed by a line of bodyguards, each towering and formidable, with gazes sharp as lightning.

Lucinda, with her arm linked through her mother's, descended from the plane at a deliberate pace, prompting Keith to stride forward a few steps.

"Mom, Lucy," he called out.

Nathan stood in place, unmoved.

Members of the extended Smith clan had gathered at the airport to welcome the family back. All but the patriarch and matriarch had come out to greet them-it was, after all, beneath the elders to make such appearances. Led by Hogan Smith, they approached en masse.

Every influential member of the clan, those with a say in the family affairs, had made the effort to be there, creating an imposing crowd.

Lucinda, newly acquainted with her heritage, might have been overwhelmed by such a reception had she not been prepared.

"Big bro," Hogan and his brother Hayden hurried over, stopping a few steps behind Nathan and calling out with warm, brotherly affection.

Nathan grunted an acknowledgment but did not turn to look at them.

others greeted in unison, their voices tinged

brow furrowed with authority, and spoke in a stern voice, "What is

Hogan quickly rallied, shouting, "Welcome back, Janice

group caught on, their voices rising in a chorus of "Welcome home, Mrs.

the response and finally approached his

his wife's hand, but Janice not only sidestepped his gesture but, taking hold of their daughter, walked right past him

the diplomat, nodded and smiled politely,

and daughter, walking alongside Janice. If he couldn't hold her hand, he would walk beside her. That

path was cleared for the trio, as Lucinda, arm-in-arm

behind, the Smiths were initially surprised but quickly remembered that he was, after all, legally married to Lucinda. It only made sense

centered in Pinehurst and Stefan was still the man in charge, they

of the new branch Stefan was setting up in Skywatch through

to spread among the clan members, "Isn't Mrs. Smith supposed to be aware of the rules now

to Smith family tradition, even the matriarch wasn't to walk alongside the patriarch in public; she was to trail a few steps behind. In private, of

here, with so many relatives present, it was deemed a public setting, and they

it clearly," one whispered, "The head of the family tried to take her hand,

thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Who would

If it weren't for Lucinda coming back, I bet she wouldn't have returned from Pinehurst happy as a clam. How can we expect her to follow our rules when she's on

in that statement. With the return of Lucinda, Janice now stood firm, backed by

they had believed he would eventually be disowned, yet here he was, bis

of the Smith family's subsidiary

realize that the children of the Smith matriarch held an unassailable position within the