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.

married, her family was quite influential, and her mother-in-law,

be gently

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

person Janice resented the most

for the sake of her children did

you back,"

Janice didn't reply.

called out. As the younger generation, regardless of

cold, tempted to create a scene right then and

the

grandchildren's greetings, she quickly resumed her affectionate

stepped forward to greet

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

top-tier family themselves, were taken aback by the sheer volume of presents. The Andersons' largesse was apparent, indicating the

should have just come without such formality, bringing all these gifts," the grandmother chuckled. "We're all family here." She admired her grandson-in-law, thinking, if only he were married to one of her other granddaughters instead of Lucinda,

image of the grandmother in her youth, had been her

their

some modest gifts for the family," Stefan replied with grace. No matter how the Blues had treated his mother-in-law before, he was determined to

and the mothers

look at you. It's been

grandmother was an actress,

her grandmother's in her youth she could easily outmaneuver them

belongs to s

heard about the substantial private wealth her