Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 510

If it were any other night, Darlene would have made some excuse about

maintaining her figure and skipped out on a late-night snack with her sister. But tonight, she was throwing caution to the wind.

If she didn't join in, acting as the proverbial third wheel, who knew how long Belinda and Ike would keep at it over their midnight feast? Those two could whisper sweet nothings to each other until dawn if left to their own devices.

Darlene had plans for later, so she was determined to put up with being the third wheel just this once.

As expected, with Darlene there, Ike and Belinda's conversation stayed on business topics, though they occasionally exchanged meaningful glances that spoke volumes.

"Darlene, don't eat too much, or you'll be up half the night wandering around the yard," Belinda teased. She knew her sister well enough to know that a full stomach meant a restless night.

"Weren't you at dinner?" Belinda asked, surprised. It wasn't like Darlene to join her for late-night snacks.

"Oh, I ate," Darlene replied. "But eating alone just isn't the same, and I didn't eat much."

Belinda felt a pang of guilt. It had been ages since she'd been home to have dinner with her sister.

"Belinda, you shouldn't feel guilty. You're the rock of the Bishop family. Because of you, I have the peace and security I enjoy. We're both daughters of the Bishop family, but I can't help you as much as I'd like. I'm the one who should feel guilty."

Darlene knew her sister would start blaming herself, so she quickly offered some

reassurance.

of her responsibilities, Belinda suggested, "If you're ever feeling lonely at dinner, why not meet up

many new friends, but don't worry, I'll take care of myself. When I'm bored, I just paint or hang

glad her sister had friends like Lucinda

too, so let's not

accurate results had helped Belinda out more times than she

the time and reluctantly nudged Ike. "It's getting late. You should head home and

to see it was nearly midnight. Time had flown by. He got to his feet, saying, "Alright, I'll head out. I'll come by tomorrow to take you to

she walked him to the door. "I'd rather you get some extra sleep

so I can see you more often," Ike insisted. "After all, I am your

grinned, "Okay, then. Are you

down, we'll choose something together. You can pick the style

could keep an eye on things and lend a hand when needed. But now that his sister had moved back to Skywatch and had her own guardian

watched grow up, was now being cared for by someone else. Stefan, that sly fox, had

Gabriel Turner had gleefully phoned him with news of Stefan's sudden wedding, teasing him about saving a spot for him in the groomsmen lineup ke had wanted to throttle Stefan. Accepting Stefan was one thing, but losing his sister to him without so much as a heads-up was

I can find a

"Sounds good."

to Ike's car, and Belinda stopped beside it. Ike gently adjusted

kissed the back of one, and murmured warmly, "You too. Drive safe, no speeding. Let

do. But couldn't you kiss

a laugh, Belinda wrapped her arms around

the

a habit of coming home so late. It cuts into