Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 104

She hadn't told her mom that Stefan was already head over heels for her. It was likely she was stuck being his wife for life. As for anyone else getting close to him, they'd have to wait until he was six feet under.

"Mom, Stefan and I are adults. If we can't make it work in the future, I can handle getting a divorce. I chose this, and I'll deal with whatever comes. As long as he doesn't dump me, I won't ditch him. As for my freedom, I won't give it up just because of him, and I bet he wouldn't want a housewife who just lounges around all day."

Lucinda's trust in Stefan was rock solid. Sure, he had kept his identity a secret and chased away his rivals behind her back, trapping her in his love nest, but other than that, she thought he was pretty much flawless. A good man who had patiently waited for her to grow up over the past eleven years, Lucinda believed Stefan was the one she could trust her life with.

Fiona watched her beloved daughter, who she had cherished and nurtured with a heavy heart. Raising a daughter was like tending a flower. You water it, feed it, weed it, and care for it until it blooms, only for some son-in-law to swoop in and take it away.

"Since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more. If you're ever bullied in the Anderson family, come tell me. I may not have money, but I've got hands, feet, and a mouth. I'll go over to the Andersons and stand up for you, even if it means getting physical. I won't let them push you around like you don't have family backing you up. Your brother also called and said he'll work twice as hard to make our situation better so he can support you."

"Mom."

Lucinda was deeply moved. This was family. Once she made a decision, her family went from opposing it to fully supporting her.

"Lucy, there's something else I need to tell you." Fiona reached out, tenderly stroking Lucinda's face, her eyes filled with reluctance, "You're not my biological daughter. We adopted you. My poor little girl passed away from an illness…" This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Fiona's eyes welled up with tears. Even after over twenty years, thinking about her biological daughter still hurt like a punch to the gut.

After a moment, she continued, "You were the same age as my biological daughter. After she passed away and we found you, we raised you as our own. If you want to find your biological parents and go back to them, I won't stop you. Those dreams you've been having, the mad woman in them, might be your birth mother. I'd hate to lose you, but I also understand the pain a mother feels losing a child. So, your birth mother might've lost her mind because she lost you."

Having said that, Fiona wanted to turn around and leave, afraid she would burst into tears. After all, this was a child she had raised for over twenty years. If she really left her, the pain would be unbearable.

"Mom." Lucinda embraced her mother tightly from behind. "I'm your daughter. Even if I decide to find my biological parents, I won't leave you. I want to find my biological parents, just to figure out whether I was abandoned or taken away by human traffickers."

Fiona turned around and saw the calm expression on her daughter's face, knowing her intelligence had already figured out the answer. Only when she was honest would her daughter be so calm, without any surprise.

"Lucy..."

"Mom, you raised me. I consider you my parents. I am your daughter. Don't push me away."

After finding out whether she was abandoned or trafficked, she would deal with her relationship with her biological parents. If she was abandoned, she wouldn't acknowledge them. If they abandoned her, it meant they didn't want her, so why reunite? Lucinda had no respect for those who were abandoned by their parents, raised by adoptive parents, and then went back to find their biological parents, even severing ties with their adoptive parents. That was just too ungrateful. She would never be that person.

If she was kidnapped, she would acknowledge her biological parents after finding them, but her love for her adoptive parents wouldn't lessen. She would be grateful for the blessing of having two sets of parents. She would treat her biological and adoptive parents equally, even favoring her adoptive parents more because they raised her and provided her with education.

"How could I push you away, I have feelings too. Since you've been having those dreams, it's possible you weren't abandoned. You'll have to unravel the mystery of your birth on your own. Your dad and I can't help you with that. But Stefan can."

Lucinda comforted her mother, "Mom, there's no rush. If my biological parents remember me, they'll be looking for me too. If the bond between a mother and daughter exists, we're bound to meet."

Fiona said, "It can't be completely unhurried. Think about it, you've been dreaming. This suggests a telepathic connection between mother and daughter. Your birth mother may be in great danger. You should find them as soon as possible to avoid any regrets."

Lucinda's expression became serious.

Fiona said, "You don't need to worry about us. I've prepared myself for everything. Just do what you need to do, don't worry about us."

Lucinda fed her mother another grape, who was beyond moved. Lucinda was grateful for the blessings life had given her. Even though she had left her biological parents when she was only half

a year old, she was the beloved baby of the Moore family. They raised her, loved her, and supported her in seeking the truth when she found out about her birth. She was grateful for such a wonderful family.

"Mom." After feeding her mother a grape, Lucinda couldn't resist giving her a passionate hug. "Mom, I love you, so so much!"

Fiona laughed, "You really know how to sweet-talk."

"Come on, you're my mom. What kid doesn't love their mom?"

"Your mouth is as sweet as honey, always knowing how to make me happy. I can't argue with you there. It feels good to get everything off my chest. Since Stefan's here, you shouldn't stay home anymore. Go back with him later."

"Mom, it's already dark. I want to stay here for a few more days before going back to the city."

"What about Stefan?"

"Let him go home. He has to work tomorrow, I don't."

No sooner had the words left her mouth, Fiona gave her a playful smack. "You cheeky girl, that's my son-in-law, my only son-in-law in this lifetime, and you're telling me to let him go!"

Lucinda responded with a grin, "If you can't bear to let him go, then let him stay. He can go back to work tomorrow morning. And even if he doesn't, it's no big deal. He's the boss. No one is going to say anything if he skips a day at the office."

Fiona gave her another light tap, "Just because you don't love your job, doesn't mean you should influence Stefan. He's managing a massive company, and every minute is precious to him. You shouldn't waste his time."

Lucinda faux-jealously retorted, "You're so smitten with your son-in-law, you're even ignoring your own daughter. I bet if Stefan and I had a fight, you'd definitely take his side."

"Well, of course, because he'd always give in to you, let you vent. Of course I would take his side."