Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 388

When Janice descended the staircase, she discovered the first floor was devoid of anyone. Maybe everyone had stepped out, or perhaps they were merely giving her and Nathan some space.

She was aware that many people were more prone to encourage reconciliation than separation, "It is better to build a bridge than a wall."

After a moment of silence, Janice resolved to venture outdoors for a breath of fresh air.

"Mrs. Blue."

A housemaid entered from outside, seeing her, she cheerfully inquired, "Janice, have you had breakfast yet? The lady of the house was concerned about you and sent me to check on you.”

Janice halted her steps, responding gently, "Could you not call me Mrs. Blue, please? My last name is Bright. You can call me Mrs. Bright. I'm not hungry, where's the lady of the house?"

The housemaid replied, "The lady of the house and Ms. Tiffany are enjoying the view in the garden gazebo, and the gentlemen are in the yard."

After acknowledging with a nod, Janice proceeded to step outside.

The maid aware that Janice had skipped breakfast, headed to the kitchen.

Minutes later, she emerged with a breakfast tray.

Janice had already entered the gazebo.

"Mom."

Lucinda rose to welcome her mother.

Tiffany also stood up, greeting her with a warm smile.

She had a fondness for Janice. Her elegant demeanor, gentle disposition, and soothing voice were like a breath of fresh air. Always lightly made-up, she exuded a comforting aura.

Janice's wardrobe was exceptionally tasteful, befitting the matriarch of an affluent family.

"Mom, did you come out on your own?"

Lucinda glanced behind her mother, not seeing her father, she asked cautiously.

"Can't your mother come out on her own?"

"Of course, of course."

Lucinda quickly helped her mother sit down at the table, carefully studying her mother's expression.

Janice couldn't help but gently tap her daughter's head, chuckling, "You don't need to worry about me so much, Lucy. I don't appreciate seeing your father, but for your and your brother's sake, I won't argue or cause a scene. I'll simply ignore him. In the future, don't try to create opportunities for us to be alone unless we could turn back time to when your father and I first met."

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Lucinda clung to her mother's arm, cooing, "Mom, I'm not siding with dad. I'm on your side, and Keith is too."

Janice chuckled softly, not pressing further on her children's intentions.

Though her children sided with her, they couldn't completely detach themselves from their biological father.

The maid entered with the breakfast tray.

Knowing her mother hadn't eaten, Lucinda quickly coaxed, "Mom, you need to eat or you'll starve. Just have a little bit, please."

"I'm not hungry, Lucy."

Lucinda continued to persuade her mother, seeing her reluctance to eat, she spotted her husband and brother approaching. She leaned in to whisper in her mother's ear, "Mom, I've found a nice girl for Keith. I was thinking of calling her to go shopping with us, do you want to meet her?"

Upon hearing this, Janice's eyes lit up, she quickly asked, "What's she like?"

"Mom, answer me first, do you want to meet her? If you do, eat up and we can all go shopping together. We can have Keith tag along, and introduce him to Darlene."

Ever since Janice regained her sanity, she was pleased with her daughter's marriage, particularly with her son-in-law, Stefan. Her daughter was married and happy, but her son was still single, without even a girlfriend. Moreover, he didn't allow any woman other than his family within three meters.

When she learned about this, Janice was so upset she felt a pain in her chest.

Was her son planning to remain a bachelor for life?

She started worrying about her son's marital affairs.

However, she couldn't help him since she was not in Skywatch and had no suitable female acquaintances to introduce to her son. She had been out of touch with society for over two decades and had no idea who to introduce to her son. She could only rely on her daughter's help.

"Of course, I want to meet her. I'll eat now, right away."

Janice's mood, initially soured by the sight of Nathan, immediately brightened.

Nathan watched from a distance as his daughter persuaded his wife to eat. He felt both relieved and heartbroken.

In his wife's heart, he was no longer the most important person. He might have even been entirely displaced from her affections.

He didn't approach them, fearing he would ruin her mood again.

He watched as his son-in-law and son also entered the gazebo. They seemed to be in high spirits, laughing and chatting.

Nathan's heart ached even more.

They were a family, yet he was ostracized.

Lucinda called Darlene, once she picked up, Lucinda asked, "Darlene, are you free today?"

In the study room on the second floor of the Bishop family residence, Darlene held a document with one hand and her phone with the other. She chuckled, "I'm free, what's up?"

"I'm planning to go shopping. Would you like to join?"

"Shopping, huh."

Darlene pondered for a moment, before asking, "How many people are going?"

"Just me and my mom, and maybe one or two more to help carry our purchases."

Upon hearing his sister's words, Keith felt a sense of impending doom.

He wanted to escape.

And he really tried to slip away.

"Keith, where are you going?"

Janice called out to her retreating son.

"Mom, I just want to take a walk. Ascend Estate is so big and beautiful. I didn't get to explore it all last time. I thought I'd take a good walk around this time."

"We're going shopping. Why don't you come with us?"

For Keith, the sense of doom became reality.

He was going to be a free porter for his mother and sister.

Growing up, Keith had never accompanied a woman on a shopping spree. Not because he didn’t enjoy retail therapy, but simply because it wasn’t in his nature. Plus, he feared the potential danger that could arise from exposing himself too much, jeopardizing innocent bystanders.

"Mom, let Stefan accompany you guys," he suggested as a last-ditch effort.

Stefan, aware of his wife's matchmaking scheme, chuckled and said, "I'm swamped with work at the office and brought some home to complete. I need to get back to it, so I can't accompany mom and Lucy, bro. Sorry to put this on you, Keith."

Keith was speechless.

It appeared that there was no escaping this.

Meanwhile, Darlene finally gave in to Lucinda's request, mainly because she was curious to meet Janice, the matriarch of the prestigious Blue family.