Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 191

"Owen, why are you always making excuses for Cecilia?" Ruby's voice was laced with a hint of displeasure.

She couldn't stand Owen defending another woman.

Owen opened his mouth, but was at a loss for words.

Because he was only speaking the truth.

Seeing Ruby's unhappy expression, he didn't know how to explain, so he chose silence.

"Cecilia's tricks are more cunning than Lucinda's. At least Lucinda is upfront about it. Cecilia always resorts to shady tactics. You guys have been fooled by her."

Owen bit his lip lightly, then asked Ruby, "Ruby, were you crying on the phone because you heard I was marrying Cecilia and you're heartbroken?"

"No, I was angry because of Lucinda."

Owen's hopes were instantly dashed.

Her crying, breaking stuff, staying up all night, it wasn't out of jealousy for Cecilia, but because Lucinda had pissed her off.

His mood hit rock bottom. He had been reading too much into it.

"What did Lucinda do to make you so angry?"

Owen's expression returned to normal as he asked Ruby with concern.

"I wanted to talk to Stefan, so I called him. But Lucinda answered the phone instead. We had a huge fight over the phone, and I lost. It infuriated me."

"Plus, hearing that you and Cecilia are already married, I felt like even you had abandoned me. I was even more upset, so..."

Ruby looked at Owen under the lamplight, his handsome face close to hers. His eyes were full of concern and heartache, and her reflection filled his eyes.

Stefan's eyes held none of her.

But she was all that Owen saw.

Thinking this, Ruby felt a lot better. At least she still had Owen.

Even if Owen was already married, as long as she was alive, she believed that Owen wouldn't forget her. His heart only had room for her, and Cecilia would just live like a widow for the rest of her life.

"Owen."

Ruby leaned into Owen's shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist, and asked softly, "Owen, will you abandon me?"

Owen smiled wryly, "It's always been you who doesn't want me."

Ruby said coquettishly, "We're best friends. You're my only male best friend."

So, he could only ever be her male best friend.

Owen felt a pang of bitterness.

His grandfather had once said that as long as Ruby had even a little bit of sincerity towards him, he wouldn't stop him from being with Ruby. However, Ruby wasn't willing to give him even that little bit of sincerity.

"Ruby, it's late. I'll take you back to your bed to rest. Don't think too much. You need to take care of your foot injury so you can do what you want." Ruby didn't object.

She let Owen carry her back to her bed and lay her down gently.

After laying her down, he didn't immediately let go of her. Instead, he leaned down and looked at her with deep affection.

For a moment, Ruby wanted to wrap her arms around his neck, kiss him, maybe even more.

But that thought was fleeting.

Ruby didn't do that, she wanted to keep her virgin for Stefan.

However, if Owen wanted to kiss her, she also wanted to keep Owen as a backup option, she was willing to kiss him.

Owen lightly touched her eyes.

Ruby closed her eyes, and her red lips twitched slightly.

She thought Owen would forcibly kiss her, but he didn't.

After touching her eyes, Owen also touched her forehead. His gentle voice came from above her head, "Have a good rest. I should go home."

After saying this, he stood up straight and turned to leave.

"Owen."

Ruby suddenly sat up and reached out to grab Owen. When Owen turned to look at her, she pleaded, "Can you stay tonight? I can't sleep, can you keep me company and chat?" Owen was silent for a long time.

In the end, he let go of her hand and said softly, "Ruby, you know how I feel about you. If you ask me to stay, I won't be able to just chat with you. To avoid regrets for both of us, I should go home."

Ruby didn't dare to hold onto him anymore.

"Goodnight."

Owen said goodnight, then left without looking back.

Ruby sat on the bed in a daze.

As soon as Owen left, Megan came in.

Seeing the broken shards on the floor, she said to Ruby, "You're wasting family resources. You can be angry, but why destroy your own things? When Owen was here, why didn't you ask him to stay? He would definitely stay if you invited him."

Ruby said nonchalantly, "Mom, I'm not ready yet. Give me some more time to think."

"You're still thinking about Stefan. Can't you hear anything I say? Are you willing to let Cecilia steal Owen right under your nose?"

"Cecilia isn't capable of that."

Ruby said coldly, "Owen and I have known each other since we were kids, for over twenty years. He's loved me for over a decade. How long has Cecilia known him? A few days? Can she compare to our twenty-something years of history?"

"Mom, don't worry. Owen's heart is with me. No one can take him away. As for Cecilia..."

Ruby's eyes flashed with determination, "There's no difference in dealing with one person or two. I can handle both of them!"

Megan looked at Ruby helplessly.

She had said everything she could, Ruby just wouldn't listen. All she could do was do her best to help Ruby achieve her goal.

The next day, early morning.

Lucinda was awakened by a kiss.

Opening her eyes, she saw Stefan's handsome face. She smiled and said, "Good morning, darling."

"Good morning, darling."

Stefan kissed her lips, "Darling, here's a good morning kiss."

Lucinda didn't get a chance to speak.

His kiss was gentle at first, but gradually, it became more aggressive.

Giving her a feeling that he was gradually conquering her.

Each time, he made her feel intoxicated, but also as if she would suffocate if he didn't let her go.

Finally, he let her go.

A few minutes later, Lucinda asked him, "Did you arrange for a car to go pick up my parents?"

"Yes, the driver left early. When you get to Serendipity Cafe, you'll see your grandparents."

Lucinda wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes soft and inviting, whispering, "Babe, thanks."

He was so considerate.

"It took me eleven years to marry you," Stefan thought, "how could I not be considerate?"

"Are you getting up?"

"What time is it?"

"It's almost seven in the morning."

Lucinda let go of his neck and sat up, "My parents are coming over, let's get an early start."

Stefan chuckled, "It's not far from here, no need to rush."

He also got up.

By the time Lucinda had changed and freshened up, she saw him approaching her with a bunch of flowers in his hand.

He handed her the bouquet.

"Honey, this bouquet is super practical. You can keep it for a long time, it won't wilt."

It was a bouquet made of many large denomination bills!

Indeed, it was beautiful, both practical and everlasting.