Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 404

"He says he's patching things up with Cecilia. Since they're making amends, might as well keep calling her sister-in-law. Save me the trouble of switching back later." Olina was fuming.

And her heart ached seeing her son hurt over Cecilia.

She wanted to check on his wound, but Owen stopped her.

"Mom, it's just a scratch, no need for drama. Your boy's not dying."

"Just a scratch? You're pale as a ghost, clearly bled too much. Cecilia's nothing but bad news. You never got hurt as a kid, and now look at you, all because of her. Owen, please don't go back to her. She's bad luck!"

"Mom!"

Owen slammed down his coffee mug, his handsome face clouded with displeasure. "Don't lash out at Cecilia, alright? It's not her fault. Cecilia isn't bad luck, and she's certainly not a jinx!"

Olina was livid. "You're defending her? Look at yourself, hurt because of her. It's her fault. If it weren't for her, would you be injured? She attracts trouble like a magnet, and now you've gotten caught in it too. Owen, you need to cut ties, clean break. She's no good for you, only dragging you down. Today it's a wound because of her; tomorrow, who knows? Might be something worse, or you could lose your life." "Darling, what are you saying? You cursing our son?"

Shane felt his wife had crossed a line, noting even Trenton's face had turned cold.

"Honey, I'm not cursing Owen. I'm stating facts. Think about it, have they had any good fortune since he's been with Cecilia? It's been one disaster after another. First Ruby's mess, now Owen's injury. It could lead to something worse. Cecilia's a jinx, and it's good they divorced. Who knows what could happen next if they stayed together? If she were right for him, things would be smooth sailing." Owen's face turned stormy.

Fed up, he retorted, "After dad married you, things weren't always smooth, were they? Does that mean you're not right for him?"

He bit back the term 'jinx,' out of respect for his mother.

Olina was speechless. "Darling, you see? Owen's blaming me for defending Cecilia. I'm his mother!"

"Owen, that comment was out of line."

Shane tried to lighten the mood.

The patriarch chimed in coolly, "Owen's got a point. Olina, Shane marrying you didn't guarantee me a trouble-free life. I've had my share of bad luck and even accidents. Was that because Shane married you?' Olina stammered, "Dad, those were just accidents. No life is without its ups and downs."

"Hmph!"

Trenton scoffed sarcastically, "So you acknowledge that life isn't all smooth sailing and everyone faces trials? Then why blame Cecilia for Owen's mishap?"

Caught off-guard, Olina muttered, "Owen was hurt because of Cecilia. It's her responsibility, her fault."

"Mom, Cecilia didn't ask to be robbed. Besides, it was my choice to protect her. The injury was my own carelessness, nothing to do with her."

He had actually hoped to get hurt, to earn Cecilia's concern, but such things he couldn't admit, lest his mother further slander Cecilia.

The argument was interrupted by a cough.

Derek entered, surprised to replace himself in the midst of tension. He glanced at Cecilia, who seemed unfazed by the harsh words, and he couldn't help but feel more anxious. The young master was clearly smitten, chasing after Ms. Yates, yet his mother was always pulling the rug out from under him.

With the things said, any person with a shred of pride would be upset.

Ms. Yates had a strong character; surely she couldn't be indifferent?

If Ms. Yates remarried the young master, there would be a mother-in-law to deal with, a classic recipe for headaches.

"Cecilia, what brings you here?"

Owen's heart raced when he saw Cecilia. He scrambled to his feet, rushing to her side, wondering how much she had overheard. Remembering Derek's whisper to the grandfather, it must have been about Cecilia's arrival. Trenton hadn't even given him a heads-up.

Internally grumbling, Owen suspected his grandfather was toying with him, wanting him to sweat a little more.

Olina snorted coldly upon seeing Cecilia, not even granting her a glance.

Cecilia greeted everyone politely, then handed Owen a thermos, "My mom made you some soup, it's good for replenishing blood. Drink it while it's warm." Owen was touched. He eagerly accepted the thermos, grinning broadly, "She's so thoughtful, and so are you, Cecilia."

The soup was a silver lining.

Cecilia then handed him some supplements she had bought. "These are for you. Have some every day to keep your strength up."

Owen quipped, "We've got everything we need at home."

Yet his hands quickly grabbed the gifts, cherishing the care from his ex-wife. He would savor them, extracting every ounce of their nurturing essence.

"I won't disturb your meal any longer. Goodbye."

Cecilia turned to leave after a nod to the grandfather.

"Cecilia."

Owen, laden with the thermos and supplements, followed her. "Cecilia, you've come all this way, stay a bit. Have you eaten? Join us?"

Without pausing, Cecilia declined, "No need, I've eaten. The shop's busy, I need to get back."

And with that, she strode away, leaving a trail of unresolved feelings and unspoken words in the air of the tense dining room.

Owen dashed out of the living room and slammed his things onto the coffee table before catching up to Cecilia, reaching out to grab her. "Cecilia, don't go."

The fact that she had come to see him of her own accord was rare; he was determined to make her stay.

Cecilia shook off his grasp, her voice cool and detached. "Mr. Martinez, I'm genuinely swamped. You've got a wounded arm; you should be resting at home. Don't forget to drink your chicken soup. Goodbye." She turned to leave again.

Owen stepped forward, recklessly wrapping his arms around her from behind, holding her tight as if afraid that if he let go, Cecilia would soar away.

"Cecilia, my wound is killing me, it hurts so much I can't even hold silverware steady. I haven't managed to eat a thing; I'm starving. Would you feed me, please?"

Could this man be any more shameless?