Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 404

"He says he's patching things up with Cecilia. Since they're making amends, might as well keep calling her sister-in-law. Save me the trouble of switching back later."

Olina was fuming.

And her heart ached seeing her son hurt over Cecilia.

She wanted to check on his wound, but Owen stopped her.

"Mom, it's just a scratch, no need for drama. Your boy's not dying."

"Just a scratch? You're pale as a ghost, clearly bled too much. Cecilia's nothing but bad news. You never got hurt as a kid, and now look at you, all because of her. Owen, please don't go back to her. She's bad luck!"

"Mom!"

Owen slammed down his coffee mug, his handsome face clouded with displeasure. "Don't lash out at Cecilia, alright? It's not her fault. Cecilia isn't bad luck, and she's certainly not a jinx!"

Olina was livid. "You're defending her? Look at yourself, hurt because of her. It's her fault. If it weren't for her, would you be injured? She attracts trouble like a magnet, and now you've gotten caught in it too. Owen, you need to cut ties, clean break. She's no good for you, only dragging you down. Today it's a wound because of her; tomorrow, who knows? Might be something worse, or you could lose your life."

"Darling, what are you saying? You cursing our son?"

Shane felt his wife had crossed a line, noting even Trenton's face had turned cold.

"Honey, I'm not cursing Owen. I'm stating facts. Think about it, have they had any good fortune since he's been with Cecilia? It's been one disaster after another. First Ruby's mess, now Owen's injury. It could lead to something worse. Cecilia's a jinx, and it's good they divorced. Who knows what could happen next if they stayed together? If she were right for him, things would be smooth sailing."

Owen's face turned stormy.

Fed up, he retorted, "After dad married you, things weren't always smooth, were they? Does that mean you're not right for him?"

He bit back the term 'jinx,' out of respect for his mother.

Olina was speechless. "Darling, you see? Owen's blaming me for defending Cecilia. I'm his mother!"

"Owen, that comment was out of line."

Shane tried to lighten the mood.

The patriarch chimed in coolly, "Owen's got a point. Olina, Shane marrying you didn't guarantee me a trouble-free life. I've had my share of bad luck and even accidents. Was that because Shane married you?"

Olina stammered, "Dad, those were just accidents. No life is without its ups and downs."

"Hmph!"

Trenton scoffed sarcastically, "So you acknowledge that life isn't all smooth sailing and everyone faces trials? Then why blame Cecilia for Owen's mishap?"

Caught off-guard, Olina muttered, "Owen was hurt because of Cecilia. It's her responsibility, her fault."

"Mom, Cecilia didn't ask to be robbed. Besides, it was my choice to protect her. The injury was my own carelessness, nothing to do with her."

He had actually hoped to get hurt, to earn Cecilia's concern, but such things he couldn't admit, lest his mother further slander Cecilia.

The argument was interrupted by a cough.

Derek entered, surprised to find himself in the midst of tension. He glanced at Cecilia, who seemed unfazed by the harsh words, and he couldn't help but feel more anxious.

The young master was clearly smitten, chasing after Ms. Yates, yet his mother was always pulling the rug out from under him.