Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 17

Stefan had just got off the car when he was suddenly punched by Ike out of nowhere, but he didn’t lose his cool. He grabbed the hand Ike used to yank his collar and said in a low voice, “Ike, can you let go?”

Lucinda rushed over, pulling Ike away, “Ike, is this how you treat guests? It's Stefan's first time at our place, he's been on the road for so long, hasn't even stepped foot in the door and you've already punched him. Do you hate him that much?”

Ike said, “...Lucinda, you're defending him so much. What has Stefan done to you that you'd even marry him? Do you really know him? Do you know his past?”

His own sister was marrying his college buddy.

Ike felt very uncomfortable. “We've known each other for eleven years, how could I not know him? Plus, he was your classmate, right? What secrets could he have?”

Ike said, “...You've grown up, you're all grown up. Why have you become so stubborn?”

Lucinda went silent.

Her brother's reaction was a bit over the top.

In the past, Ike and Stefan were on good terms. Every time school was out, they'd go home together.

“Ike!”

Lucinda's mom, Fiona, also came out.

With her booming voice, Ike involuntarily cringed, but still managed to shoot Stefan a nasty look before turning around to go inside.

Following Fiona was Vincent, Lucinda's dad.

Fiona turned to Stefan.

She hadn’t seen Stefan since he graduated from university.

After a few years, meeting again, the once shy and polite boy had suddenly become her son-in-law.

Fiona took a good look at Stefan.

Then, she put on a polite smile and said to Stefan, “Stefan, long time no see, you must be tired from the long ride. Come inside and rest.”

She nudged her husband subtly, signaling him to lead Stefan inside.

“Mom, Dad, sorry to bother you so late.”

As soon as Stefan spoke, he directly addressed Lucinda's parents as mom and dad, catching everyone off guard.

Vincent furrowed his eyebrows, not saying a word.

Fiona was taken aback for a second and then laughed, “I'm the one who called you guys back, no need to apologize.”

Seeing Stefan unload many gifts from the car, Fiona said, “Why did you bring so much stuff, it's not necessary, we're not short of anything.”

Lucinda chimed in, “Mom, you always say we're not short of anything except a son-in-law or daughter-in-law. Now I've brought you a son-in-law, we're just short of a daughter-in-law.”

Fiona gave her a stern look.

Lucinda cheekily stuck out her tongue.

Vincent stepped forward to help Stefan with the stuff.

They went inside first.

Lucinda was held back by her mother.

“Mom, what's up?”

Lucinda pretended to be clueless.

“You dare to ask, did you really register to marry Stefan?”

“Didn't Ike already tell you guys? Would I trick you?”

Fiona was stunned.

Although she kept pushing her daughter to get married, she didn't expect her to get married at such a fast pace.

"Mom, look, Stefan is far better than those so-called high-quality men you arranged for me. He's the real deal." Lucinda bragged about her good taste.

"You and Stefan were classmates in college, and you've known him for a long time. But you guys didn't interact privately, do you know him?"