Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 514

Lucinda gave her mom a thumbs-up, grinning from ear to ear.

Her mom, standing tall and proud, was truly something to admire.

"A woman's gotta be tough to stay on top!"

She was more than happy to support her mom in reclaiming the dignity of being the lady of the house.

"Has your dad left yet?" Janice asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and caution.

"Not yet, I think. When we left, he said he was just heading upstairs to change." Janice paused, considering her next move. "Then I'll just take a stroll around the neighborhood. Once your dad heads back to the office, I'll slip back inside."

"Mom," Lucinda said softly, feeling a pang of empathy.

Janice chuckled, gently caressing her daughter's cheek. "Don't worry about me, sweetheart. This is the path I chose. No regrets, no blame. All I want is for you and Stefan to be happy together forever, and I hope your brother finds someone special soon."

"As long as you two are happy, I'm happy."

Lucinda wanted to say more, but Janice patted her hand reassuringly. "I'm not hungry yet. A little walk will do me good, work up an appetite. You and Stefan go have breakfast with your dad."

She paused, then added, "Make sure he eats properly. None of that rushing off with just a few bites. If he messes up his stomach, that's on him. Tell him I won't feel sorry if he starves himself."

Lucinda thought to herself, her mom obviously still cared for her dad, despite her tough words. Their relationship was as complicated as it was enduring.

"Mom, how about we join you for a walk?" Lucinda offered.

"No, you two head on back inside." Janice shook her head. "Don't worry about me getting pushed around anymore. I don't care what they think. I'm not even going to bother trying to please your grandparents anymore."

She had always had a tough relationship with her mother-in-law, and things only got worse after her breakdown.

Lucinda reluctantly took off her coat and draped it over her mom's shoulders before heading back with Stefan.

As they walked, Stefan placed his coat over Lucinda's shoulders.

the cold better than

laughed, accepting his kindness without protest. She wrapped her arm tightly around his,

minutes later, Amy rushed out from

called out, stopping to greet them

Lucinda replied. "You seem in

brewing. Lucinda felt like her nerves were constantly

opinion, they should have split up a long time ago. Why keep everyone tangled together in one

family seemed prestigious, but it came

going on?" Lucinda asked

the gate, but security stopped her. I checked with Mr. Nathan, and he said to let her

I'd go talk to her myself

arrived, but her daughter Madeleine was there too. They were

and ended

swore revenge on Ashley.

was out of

returned late from

She wanted to storm

s

the morning, mother and daughter, flanked by a crew of bodyguards, headed

past they had free

restrict their visits,

to

belongs to s

Keith's directive was a subtle nod to the new order

loyal to Madeleine, felt obliged to smooth things

was another Porter incident, sighed.

Madeleine's behavior was a

upbringing, and Lucinda couldn't fathom her

married man

Despite his