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.

small gesture didn't escape Nathan's notice; he was pleased with

too, blessed with a lovely pair of

they were so close, yet felt worlds

could keep her physically present, but her heart

getting pretty chilly this time of year here in Skywatch. You guys just got back from Pinehurst. Are you adjusting okay? Why not sleep in

up so early. "We're fine, no need 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,"

Having a son-in-law who's so disciplined isn't always

much, I'll have

dad. To keep him off my back, you'd better eat up. No more

gain much weight. In Stefan's eyes, she was still the

the office today, so I can't keep you company. Lucy, take good care of your mom. Call me if you need

Stefan and me; nothing's going

but Nathan's expression turned

caught on, wanting to comfort her dad but unsure

go get changed," Nathan said,

retreating figure was full of

of his parents or the extended family. Even Madeleine's presence couldn't stir her

all she wanted

didn't care about him anymore, so why would

himself for not protecting

man beside her squeezed her hand, his warm, firm

check on Mom," Lucinda said, leading her husband downstairs. Janice was wandering alone in

her expression icy

"Good morning, Mrs. Blue."

"Morning, Mrs. Blue."

with their tasks, but all stopped to greet her

they'd noticed she was different. Even the

a cold glance from her made them

how they'd treated

shen respect het