Faux Vows, True Desires

Nathan, with his wife and children, was ushered into the main house amid a clamor of relatives.

Fearing that the house would be too crowded if everyone entered, many of the extended family members wisely bid farewell to the patriarch at the doorway before heading back to their own homes.

With the return of the eldest daughter, a grand feast was inevitable, and the entire clan would be attending. This occasion would serve as an excellent opportunity for the distant relatives to mingle with influential people.

"Dad, Mom, we're back," Nathan announced, his voice carrying a hint of detachment.

His relationship with his parents was lukewarm at best.

Especially since his wife had her breakdown, the connection with his mother had grown even fainter.

Nevertheless, as the eldest son, it was his duty to care for his aging parents in his home.

After all, with a house full of staff to attend to the elders, all it took was the occasional check-in and a shared meal now and then to fulfill his obligations.

Janice's gaze cooled as she faced her mother-in-law. With pursed lips, she eventually turned towards her father-in-law and greeted him with a muted "Dad."

During her time of turmoil, her father-in-law, though not directly harming her, didn't offer aid either.

Nathan was often busy, and even though he had arranged for the loyal Shirley to protect her, Shirley was, after all, just a worker, only able to call Nathan in times of distress. Her father-in-law, now retired and idle, could have easily helped with just a word.

But he remained silent.

Perhaps he too disdained her during her insanity, especially after her own family had fallen from grace.

These people were far too pragmatic.

quite influential, and her mother-in-law, despite

would be gently scolded

her sanity and her family's fortunes dwindled, leaving only her

Janice resented the most was her

her children did

back," the

Janice didn't reply.

and his sister called out. As the younger generation, regardless of the elders' behavior, they had to

felt her smile grow cold, tempted to create a scene right then

yet still disregarded her mother-in- law, rankled deeply. Remembering the divorce talks between Janice and her eldest son, the grandmother

greetings, she

Stefan also stepped

all the generous gifts from the Andersons, quickly filling the hall to the brim, leaving scarcely any room to

themselves, were taken aback by the sheer volume of presents. The Andersons' largesse was apparent, indicating the high regard

She admired her grandson-in-law, thinking, if only he were married to

the grandmother in her youth, had been her darling for

decades apart, their reunion

No matter how the Blues had treated his mother-in-law before, he was determined to be beyond reproach now, to honor both his mother-in-law

room was taken by his presence, and the mothers present couldn't help but envy Lucinda for her good

smile. "Come, let Grandma have a good look at you. It's been too long since I last saw you, and I've missed you every day, hoping for your swift

grandmother was an actress, and so was

in her youth she could easily outmaneuver them for affection, despite not wanting to

belongs to s

about the substantial private wealth