Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 407

When I walked into his house, I overheard his mom label me a "jinx," saying I was bad luck for men and that her son, Owen, would only face misfortune because of me, especially since he had recently gotten hurt.

Cecilia confided in her friend, "Lucy, do you think I'm really bad news for Owen? I never wanted him to get hurt."

Lucinda gently tapped Cecilia's forehead and reassured her, "Don't let that woman get to you. She just doesn't like you and will say anything to hurt you. Everyone has their share of bad luck."

"Cecilia, I haven't seen Owen become unlucky since meeting you. On the contrary, he's changed for the better. He was so broody when I first met him, but now he's like sunshine, happy in a way that can't be hidden. You've brought joy into his life, like sunlight clearing away the clouds. You've given him warmth and happiness that money can't buy."

Cecilia chuckled, "Am I really that great? All I remember is how often we bicker, making him so frustrated he could throttle me."

"If you don't believe me, just ask Owen when he gets here. He'll tell you that despite getting riled up, being with you makes him happy. You two are like a match made in heaven, always at each other's throats in the most endearing way."

Cecilia burst into laughter at her friend's words.

"You make him sound so pathetic, like he's begging for a scolding."

"It's a classic case of 'he loves the chase, and you love the challenge.""

Cecilia shook off her discontent.

"It's okay, I'm not upset anymore. Worst case, we part ways, and I'm not exactly doomed to be single."

"It's easy to fall in love but hard to forget someone. You talk a big game, but I know it's tough," Lucinda sighed, having been through her own struggle to move on from George.

"What can I do? His mom just doesn't like me, and I can't change who I am just to please her. She judges me for my background, which I can't change. If I can't change what she doesn't like, then I might as well give up on him."

"Though it's hard to forget someone, the feelings between me and him are still fresh. A little heartache now will save me pain later on. At worst, I'll just call you up for a drink when I'm feeling down." Cecilia remained spirited.

Though she had feelings, they weren't too deep.

She could still easily cut ties.

"Do you really think Owen will let you go that easily? With his persistence, you'll end up married to him. As for your mother-in-law, you can always live apart. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, after all. You're going to be living with him, not her."

Cecilia blushed, "Who's married to him? Lucy, I'm envious of you. Your in-laws really treat you well."

She glanced at Stefan, who was mingling with the guests. He was the heir to the city's most prominent family and was running the family business. But for Lucinda, he'd shed all pretenses, serving coffee to guests who'd never dreamed of being waited on by Mr. Coleman himself.

As for Keith, after receiving too many stares from female patrons, he made himself scarce, claiming he didn't want to be the third wheel.

Lucinda patted her friend's shoulder, "Trust yourself. You'll replace happiness too."

Cecilia smiled, "With a best friend like you, I already feel blessed."

Lucinda saw Owen come in, holding a bouquet. "Look, your happiness is walking through the door. I'll leave you two to talk. Don't let his mom come between you."

Owen entered with an apologetic, eager look, handing Cecilia the flowers carefully, as if afraid she might smack him with them.

Cecilia didn't immediately take the bouquet; instead, she locked eyes with him, replaceing nervousness and remorse. Her heart softened at his vulnerability, so different from the prideful man she first met. Accepting the flowers, she said, "Why give me flowers out of the blue? But they are beautiful, and I like them."

She looked around, "There's no vase to put these in."

Relieved she wasn't mad, Owen quickly offered, "I'll go buy one, right now. Just wait for me."

And off he went.

Cecilia tried to call after him, but her voice was too faint, and he was too quick.

"Man, he's fast!" she muttered, admiring the flowers.

Her phone rang. It was her grandfather.

Worried, she answered, "Grandpa, what's up? Are you okay? Is mom not home?"

She thought he might be unwell, given his age and the common ailments that come with it.

"No, I'm fine. Someone's replacing the streetlights on our block with new ones. They said Owen paid for them."

Owen had done this for Cecilia. Devon's respect for the young man grew; he was sincere, adaptable, and thick-skinned enough to not let his affluent background stand in the way of blending into their ordinary lives.

In love, don't try to change others, because it's often you who ends up changing for them.

Owen was like that, never trying to change Cecilia, but for her sake, he continually adapted himself, striving for harmony with Cecilia and the Yates clan.

Cecilia paused, then asked, "Did they say it was Mr. Malicious who arranged for the streetlight replacement? All of them?"

Replacing the lights along an entire alley wasn't a minor task; it certainly made things easier for the neighborhood.

This guy really knew how to win hearts, a single decision earning him the neighborhood's affection.

"It was the Martinez crew who came to replace the lights, yeah, all of them. Cecilia, when did you start nicknaming people? The kid's actually alright, it's just that there's a huge gap between our families. We're against you two dating mainly because we're afraid you'll be under too much pressure if you marry into his family."

Just like that, a row of streetlights had won over Grandpa, who was now speaking on the guy's behalf.