Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 406

Owen scowled darkly, "Mom, Ruby doesn't love me, no matter how good I am to her, it's pointless. You think I care about her deceit? My heart's been shattered, completely chilled to the core. Don't compare Ruby to Cecilia; they're in different leagues. Cecilia's irreplaceable in my heart, and Ruby doesn't even come close."

After the mother and son fell silent, Trenton glanced at Olina and dropped a bombshell, "The biggest mistake I ever made was agreeing to Shane marrying you."

Olina was stunned.

"Owen, I've said it before, I intervened in your marriage once, and I won't do it again. From now on, you call the shots in your love life. If anyone tries to stop you, stand up to them and fight for your happiness."

Trenton made himself clear, mainly because Owen had fallen for Cecilia.

Had Owen still been smitten with Ruby, Trenton's tune would've been far from so enlightened.

"Thanks, Grandpa."

"And no more talk of becoming a hermit, but if you truly see through the world's illusions and decide to renounce everything, even then, I'd support you."

That last comment was directed at his daughter-in-law.

He knew her well – her obsession with status and prestige.

If Owen truly renounced the world to become a hermit, it would be a blow straight to her heart.

By then, whether Owen married Cecilia or a beggar off the streets, Olina would be begging for it to happen.

"Anyway, Owen, I've got more than one grandchild. The Martinez family won't be lacking heirs. Harry, come with me for a bit."

With that, Trenton and Harry left the room.

Olina's face was a kaleidoscope of emotions.

Owen turned to his mother, his voice earnest, “Mom, if you can't find it in you to like Cecilia, I won't force you. But please, show her some basic respect. Don't pin every fault on her. I'm hurting because I chose to. As long as she's fine, even if it costs me my life, I'll have no regrets."

"The woman I love now is Cecilia, and it will be her in the future too. Ruby and I are history—in fact, we never even had a history because she never truly belonged to me. Her heart has always belonged to Stefan! Your favorite daughter-in-law never loved your son, not even a little bit! If you think so highly of Ruby, maybe Dad should marry her. She'd make a fine sister."

"Owen, what the hell are you spouting!" Shane cursed at his son for dragging him into this mess.

He didn't want to admit that he, too, wasn't fond of Ruby and her mother. He'd kept silent for the sake of marital peace, as they were close to his wife.

Olina was livid at her son's words.

After a moment of silence, Owen didn't say another word. He turned and carried the nourishing soup and tonic Cecilia had brought upstairs.

"Honey, look at what your son is saying, driving me mad!" Olina clutched at her husband's sleeve, "Aren't you going to do something?"

Shane removed her hand irritably, "What can I do? He's your son, and if you can't handle him, what makes you think I can? He's closer to Dad than either of us. You should just stay out of our son's marriage matters. A grown child's decisions aren't for their mother to make, and we haven't exactly been stellar parents."

"What's so great about Cecilia?"

"My parents asked the same about you back in the day."

Olina was at a loss for words.