Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 512

Lucinda was about to speak when she heard her mother's icy voice, "What are you doing here?"

The couple exchanged a quick glance and immediately lightened their footsteps as they cautiously approached Janice's room.

As soon as Janice stepped out of her room, she saw Nathan sitting against the opposite wall, looking as if he had just woken up. "Janice, how did I end up here?" Nathan asked, his face full of bewilderment. "Was I sleepwalking?"

Janice: ...

Yeah, right!

Janice couldn't be bothered with him and walked right past.

"Nathan," she said, ice in her voice as she stopped, though she didn't turn to face him. "What do you want?"

Nathan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the words wouldn't come. Finally, he just said, "It's nothing."

Janice shot him a glare over her shoulder and walked away.

Nathan watched her until she disappeared at the top of the stairs, then turned to another direction and said calmly, "You can come out now."

Lucinda pulled her husband along as they stepped out casually, greeting him with a nonchalant smile, "Morning, Dad.”

"Morning, Dad," Stefan echoed, effortlessly playing along as if they hadn't witnessed the whole scene.

"Hmm." Nathan grunted an acknowledgment, then explained, "Lucy, maybe I was sleepwalking. I wasn't trying to corner your mom. We're married, living under the same roof, so I don't need to wait outside her door."

Lucinda nodded seriously, "I know you weren't trying to corner mom. Maybe you really were sleepwalking. Dad, that's not good; you should see a doctor. I can call our family doctor for you."

Nathan: ...

Seeing his daughter's earnest expression, Nathan couldn't help but lightly tap Lucinda on the head. "Always teasing your old man."

"I totally believed you, Dad, about the sleepwalking," Lucinda grinned, ducking behind Stefan for protection.

her again. This small gesture didn't escape Nathan's notice;

a lovely pair of twins. But somehow, he had lost the woman he dearly loved,

so close,

keep her physically present, but her heart was gone. He had

got back from Pinehurst. Are

to sleep in. Your son-in-law likes to get up for a morning jog. Sometimes, he even makes me breakfast in bed. See, Dad, he's been taking such good care of me that I'm getting chubbier,"

a son-in-law who's so

slims you down too much, I'll have to have a word

"Lucy, you heard your dad. To keep him off my back, you'd better eat up. No more talk about dieting; you're perfect

didn't gain much weight. In Stefan's eyes, she was still the love of his life, matured but

get going before time for breakfast. I have a meeting at the office today, so I can't keep you company.

We're fine here at home. Mom has Stefan

were honest, but

her dad but unsure how. Lying

get changed," Nathan said,

figure was full of

wasn't afraid of his parents or the extended family. Even Madeleine's presence

she wanted

care about him anymore, so why would

blamed himself for not protecting

her squeezed her hand,

her husband downstairs. Janice was wandering alone in the

exuded an elegant aura, her expression icy as if she were the mistress

"Good morning, Mrs. Blue."

"Morning, Mrs. Blue."

busy with their tasks, but all stopped to greet her as she

was different. Even the longest- serving staff said she hadn't

glance from her made them tense, instinctively wary.

of how they'd treated

respect het