Faux Vows, True Desires

Keith said, "Lucy, chill out about this. I've got it covered. You and Mom can have a blast tomorrow."

Lucinda asked, "Bro, aren't you coming with us?"

Keith replied, "I've been loafing around for a few days, which is a luxury for me. So, I'll pass. I have to hit the road back to Skywatch early tomorrow. There's a ton of stuff waiting for me to deal with." Keith didn't spell it out, but Lucinda knew the drill at Skywatch.

Even if Keith kept mum, she knew he's having a tough time at Skywatch. She needed to get a grip on some business knowledge and helped him out at Skywatch, rooting out the rotten eggs.

Years of old scores needed to be settled.

Lucinda says, "Bro."

Keith responds, "Lucy, don't go all soft on me. I'm a man. A little hardship, a little exhaustion, it's all good for me. Actually, I'm more worried about you. You were thrown into all this, and it's rocked your peaceful life."

It was inevitable. Lucy was his sister. She was born into this family feud.

Lucinda said, "Bro, I'll shoulder my responsibilities. I'll strive to become stronger. You won't have to fight your battles alone."

Keith smiled and said, "I know. I've been over the moon since I found you. At least, apart from Mom, I have you to worry about. Having someone to worry about is a kind of happiness. Alright, Lucy, I've got to go talk to Dad. You keep doing you. As long as you and Stefan are happy, that's all that matters. Oh, and if you can, pop out a nephew for me sooner rather than later. I'd love to be an uncle."

The ones nagging her to have a kid were her two brothers.

First, it was Ike, now him.

They all wanted to be uncles.

After hanging up, Keith headed towards his father, who had just returned to Ascend Estate.

Keith called out, "Dad."

Nathan stopped and watched him approach. Nathan can tell that Keith had been happy in Ascend Estate.

Nathan felt a bit helpless.

After leaving the family, Janice had been happy, too.

So had his son.

The Blue family did wear people out.

If only the Blue family could be as harmonious as the Anderson family.

Unfortunately, in affluent families like the Andersons, such harmony was rare. Even in many ordinary families, siblings can turn against each other over money and status. The Andersons' family values were really great.

Lucy marrying into the Anderson family was a blessing.

Nathan was getting more and more satisfied with his son-in-law, Stefan. Of course, if Stefan could help him reconcile with Janice, that would be even better.

Stefan said, "Dad, I have to listen to my wife."

Nathan was speechless. After all, his son-in-law's wife was his daughter.

Nathan casually asked, "What's up?"

Nathan and Keith's relationship had always been strained for over a decade. Even after they found Lucy, their relationship was still tense. They didn't act like father and son but more like enemies.

Of course, the other Blues were more than happy to see this.

"I want to talk to you about Mom."

Nathan coldly said, "You don't need to meddle in our affairs."

"Dad, I'm 24 now, I'm not a kid. Dad, would you like to take a walk with me around Ascend Estate?"

Nathan didn't look pleased, but he didn't refuse in the end. He wandered around Ascend Estate with his son.

"Ever since I can remember, Mom hasn't been well. You know how she's been doing, I don't need to say. After finding Lucy, Mom woke up. She's been happy here, and you can see it. If you still care for her as a husband, I hope you'll return to Skywatch soon and stop bothering Mom."

Nathan was not pleased. He coldly said, "Keith, she's my wife!"

Keith stopped in his tracks, his tone turned cold, and he scoffed, "Do you even remember that she's your wife? What about Madeleine? You've been with Madeleine for years and are still with her. Do you want a wife at home and another one outside?"

Nathan was left speechless, apart from anger.

In his anger, Keith blurted out, "What do you think of my mom? When she was ill, you were with Madeleine. Now that she's well, do you want to play happy couples? Have you no shame?"

Nathan raised his hand to hit him, but seeing the cold look in his son's eyes, his hand never came down.

He remembered the first time he hit his son. Keith gave him the silent treatment for a whole year.

Even after he apologized, that slap still stung.

After a while, Nathan lowered his hand. He turned and walked away, not wanting Keith to see the struggle and pain on his face. His voice was still cold when he spoke, giving Keith no hint of his true feelings. "Tomorrow, I'll go back to Skywatch with you."

Keith heard his father's words and watched him walk away. He found his father's figure somewhat lonely.

But then he thought of his father and Madeleine, and he dismissed the thought. His father can't be lonely, and he's living it up!

After a while, Keith sent Lucinda a message telling her to just go on vacation with Mom tomorrow.

Lucinda knew Keith had persuaded their father.

She felt a bit uneasy.

Then, Stefan gave her a ring, telling her he had a night out and asked her to go home first, no need to wait for him at the café anymore. "Lucy, Lucy."

After seeing off Avery, who just popped in to grab some pastries, Cecilia darted to her best friend, leaning over the counter, glancing around as if she was afraid someone might overhear her.

Lucinda brushed off her troubles and asked with a grin, "Did you think of something amusing or hear a funny joke?"

"Lucy, don't you feel any regret rushing into marriage like this? Like, you never really enjoyed the passion of youth before you tied the knot."

Cecilia's eyes sparkled. Seeing her like this, Lucinda knew she was suggesting they do something daring.

Back then, they had done some audacious stuff on the down-low without telling their parents.

"Just now, Avery mentioned Neon Nectar Nightclub. Ever heard of it? Loads of dishy guys there. It's a hit with well-off lonely ladies, you know." Cecilia winked at Lucinda, whispering, "Actually, it's a place where men keep ladies company. We're on vacation tomorrow and don't need to return to the store tonight. Stefan's got another gig tonight, and our folks are all at home. How about we sneak off to Neon Nectar Nightclub?"