Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 532

Lucinda and her mother entered the room, immediately sensing the tension hanging in the air. It was like stepping into a storm of frustration, palpable and thick.

Janice barely glanced at her two sisters-in-law before turning to her daughter with a gentle smile. "Lucy, honey, I'm a bit tired. I'm going to head upstairs and change."

"Okay, Mom," Lucy replied, her eyes following her mother as she made her way straight to the stairs.

Just then, the old matriarch called out, her voice tight with suppressed irritation, "Janice."

From the moment she married into the family, Janice had always been under the old lady's control, but now, it seemed like she was slipping beyond her grasp.

Janice paused and turned back, her tone still gentle. "Did you need something, ma'am?"

She didn't even bother to call her "Mom." Why should she? With a mother-in-law like this, she felt like she had drawn the short straw in life.

"The garden," the old lady began, her voice barely containing her anger. "Did you order those plants to be destroyed? They were part of the estate's charm. In the spring, when the flowers bloom, it's a joy to sit in the gazebo with a cup of tea and enjoy the view. You've ruined it. Even if we replant now, who knows if they'll blossom for us next year?"

Kayla and Ashley, reminded by Nathan that their stay at Sunnyglade Abbey was only secure because the elderly patriarch was still alive, dared not question Janice further. The old lady, as the matriarch, felt it was her place to speak up.

Janice replied softly, "Yes, why destroy perfectly good flowers?"

The old lady was left speechless. Janice's words were loaded with meaning. It was a reminder of when they had destroyed her beloved flower garden. Now, Janice was seeking justice for those flowers—and for herself.

"Is there anything else, ma'am?" Janice asked again.

The old lady remained silent, her heart heavy with frustration. Janice took it as a cue that the conversation was over and continued up the stairs, leaving the room to a stunned silence.

Everyone watched as Janice disappeared from view. The old lady and her daughters-in-law were simmering with anger, but they knew they were in the wrong. With Nathan and his daughter present, they couldn't press the issue any further.

"Ashley," Lucinda said, breaking the tension, "I ran into Amy on my way here. She had a letter for you from Ms. Porter. Since I knew you were here, I thought I'd save her the trip."

Ashley's face turned a shade darker at the mention of Madeleine. She snatched the envelope from Lucinda, her hands trembling as she pulled out the letter. Her eyes scanned the words, and then, with a furious snap, she slapped the paper down on the table in front of the old lady.

"Mom, look at this," Ashley cried, her voice rising in pitch. "That woman is pregnant! She's taunting me, rubbing it in my face. You have to stand up for me. Ever since I married into the Blue family, I've been nothing but loyal, giving you grandchildren. I deserve some respect—Hayden can't just erase all I've done because of some hussy!"

"The truth is, she doesn't love Hayden," Ashley continued desperately. "She's just trying to get back at us, to drive a wedge between me and Hayden, to tear our family apart. She's always had her sights set on Nathan."

When Lucinda returned to the house, she found Ashley still pleading with their grandmother, who looked troubled and uncertain. Ignoring them, Lucinda headed upstairs to fetch her stunning mother.

She convinced Janice to join them outside, where Nathan was waiting with a plan to escape the household tension for a while.

"Sir, the cars are ready for young master’s outing," the butler announced, his demeanor as crisp as the morning air.

Keith and Stefan hadn't even bothered to change; they were still in their jogging clothes, looking like they'd just stepped out of a casual Saturday run rather than preparing for a family event. While Keith had an inkling of what was going on, the rest of the family was completely in the dark.

Janice, in her usual style, chose to ride with her daughter and son-in-law. As soon as they were settled in the car, she playfully poked her daughter's forehead. "Conspiring with your father to fool me, huh?"

"Mom, really, I just didn't want to have another boring dinner at home. Going out with Dad was a happy accident," Lucinda chuckled, rubbing the spot where her mother had poked her. "Careful, Mom, don't mess up my face and make your son-in-law regret marrying me."

"Darling, you know nothing could make me regret it," Stefan chimed in, his voice warm and reassuring. He loved Lucinda for who she was, not just for her looks. It was important to him that she knew he wasn't shallow.

This little exchange was a testament to their bond—lighthearted, yet deeply sincere.