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 you," he

kindness without protest. She wrapped her arm

Amy rushed

Lucinda, Mr. Stefan," she called out,

replied. "You seem in a hurry.

was like a soap opera, always something brewing. Lucinda felt like her nerves were constantly on

in the Blue family. In her opinion, they should have

it came with the cost

on?"

security stopped her. I checked with Mr. Nathan, and he said to let her wait

Porter can be a handful, so I thought I'd go talk to her myself to prevent any

only had Mrs. Porter arrived, but her daughter Madeleine was

Sunnyglade Abbey with Ashley and ended up

to such humiliation, was furious and swore revenge on Ashley. She insisted Hayden

out of town,

returned

hearing about her daughter's.plight. She wanted to storm over immediately. but held off due to the late

s

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

they had free

had given strict orders to restrict their

position, adhered to his

belongs to s

approval of Keith's directive was a subtle nod

to Madeleine, felt

Porter incident, sighed. "Alright,

Madeleine's behavior was a

upbringing, and Lucinda couldn't fathom her parents encouragement of

of a married man like

his charm, he