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.

father-in-law from tapping her again. This small gesture didn't

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

were so close, yet felt worlds

no longer with him. He could keep her physically present, but her heart was gone. He

getting pretty chilly this time of year here in Skywatch. You guys just got back from Pinehurst. Are you adjusting

son-in-law likes to get up for a morning

so disciplined isn't always a

much, I'll have to have a

you'd better eat up. No more talk about

a healthy appetite and didn't gain much weight. In Stefan's eyes, she

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

worry about us, Dad. We're fine here at home. Mom has Stefan and me; nothing's going to happen. Besides, she's not afraid of them

were honest, but Nathan's expression turned

quickly caught on, wanting to comfort her

get changed," Nathan

figure was full of

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

all she wanted was to leave

so why would she tolerate his

didn't blame her. He blamed himself for not protecting her and their children, letting

squeezed her hand,

check on Mom," Lucinda said, leading her husband

expression icy as if she were the mistress of the

"Good morning, Mrs. Blue."

"Morning, Mrs. Blue."

had many staff members, each busy with their

they'd noticed she was different. Even the longest- serving staff said she hadn't had this

just a cold glance from her made them tense, instinctively

how they'd treated

respect