Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 331

"Was Cecilia wanting to divorce you? Or did the Yates family discover your little secret and demand Cecilia to break it off with you?"

Owen's handsome face flushed a bit, but he nodded nonetheless.

Well, wasn't this just the chickens coming home to roost?

He had deliberately spilled the beans about Stefan's true identity back then, almost causing Stefan's marriage to hit the rocks.

And now, he found himself seeking Stefan's help.

"Serves you right."

"Yeah, I know I had it coming. I shouldn't have messed with you like that, Stefan. How did you fix this when it happened to you?"

"Got through it somehow." From NôvelDrama.Org.

"How did you get through it?"

"My journey wasn't something you can replicate."

Owen wasn't ready to give up, "Why can't I? Back then, Lucinda's real identity wasn't exposed either. The status of the Moore family wasn't matching with yours, the Andersons. But your family didn't object. I bet your elders are all open-minded. That's one thing I envy you for. Did your mother- in-law ask for a divorce, too? How did you convince her to accept and approve of you? Stefan, share your wisdom with me. I'll pay you. Consider it as a consultation fee."

"I charge an arm and a leg."

"Name your price. I'll pay up."

Stefan thought momentarily, "I'm not sure how much I should charge you. I'll discuss it with my wife and then get back to you. You can pay me then."

Finally, he added, "At our home, my wife called the shots."

Owen silently accepted this fact.

He was desperate, his love life in turmoil, and he had to watch Stefan flaunting his happy life.

He was angry but had nowhere to vent.

"Owen, I told you the path Lucy and I took can't be copied by you and Cecilia. For one, Lucy and I have known each other for eleven years. Also, we became a real couple soon after we got married. Do you dare to get intimate with Cecilia?"

Owen, "I wanted to, but I didn't dare. I'm scared she'll hate me."

"That's why you can't walk the path Lucy and I did. I had to win Lucy's heart and impress my mother-in-law. But mostly, it was about Lucy. She chose to be with me, and my mother-in-law respected her decision. My family was also super supportive. They were nothing but kind and respectful to Lucy, never looking down on her for her status. They were just grateful she agreed to marry me. As we got older, our elders saw us as leftover stock and couldn't wait to find buyers to take us off their hands. They were relieved to get rid of me when Lucy agreed to marry me. Owen, can your family do that? Parents who genuinely care about their daughter will discuss potential marital issues with her. They won't just consider your background, and they'll also look at your family background and character."

Owen fell silent. He respected Cecilia. Even though every cell in his body craved her, he wouldn't touch her without her consent.

He couldn't do what Stefan and Lucinda did.

By Stefan's logic, he and Lucinda had known each other for eleven years, which made it easy for Lucinda to accept Stefan.

When Stefan was nice to someone, he could easily win their heart.

Lucinda's defenses were no match for Stefan's charm offensive.

The Moore family was liberal. They respected Lucinda's decision to be with Stefan despite their worries.

And the Andersons were super nice to Lucinda.

When Owen thought about his own family, except for his grandfather, no one welcomed Cecilia.

Even his grandfather chose Cecilia because her family was poor and powerless. They wouldn't interfere even if Cecilia wasn't happy in the Martinez family, let alone affect the Martinez family's interests.

So, except for him, nobody in his family genuinely cared about Cecilia.

His parents would be thrilled if they found out he was divorcing Cecilia. They wouldn't lift a finger to help him salvage the marriage.

"Have you truly let go of Ruby?" Stefan's expression turned serious. "Everyone knew you've been fascinated with Ruby for over a decade in Pinehurst. You've done so much for her. Cecilia didn't know about it before. But after meeting you, she saw everything you did for Ruby. No one wouldn't care about that. Unless she doesn't love you. If she didn't care about you, she wouldn't mind who you like or what you do for them."

Owen answered thoughtfully, "Ruby has never loved me. I used to think that as long as I kept waiting, Ruby would eventually give up on you, notice my feelings, and accept me. But then I realized, if she doesn't love me, she just doesn't. She won't be moved no matter what I do for her or how much I give. Instead, she takes it for granted and takes advantage of my feelings."

He smiled bitterly, "You can't force love. We've known each other since we were kids and grew up together. If she loved me, she would've fallen for me long ago. Why wait till now? I was just being stubborn and refused to face reality. Actually, I didn't mind her getting a virginity restoration surgery. I've truly let go and accepted reality. Even though she came to me, cried, and begged for another chance, we didn't have a past to begin with. How could we start over? She never truly loved me. She was just at her wit's end. She thought losing you, and then me was too much. She was spoiled by me and couldn't handle being left alone. Stefan, even though we've had our differences, it's not like we're sworn enemies or anything. I don't mind if you laugh at me. You've been doing that for years anyway. I used to be head over heels for Ruby, but I've truly moved on now. When it comes to love, I'm all in. When I love, I love deeply and passionately. But once I decide it's over, it's really over. No ifs, ands, or buts about it."

Stefan looked at him, and Owen met Stefan's gaze without flinching.

After a moment, Stefan said, "I believe you've moved on, but me believing you don't cut it. You need to make Cecilia believe you, and you need to make the Yates family believe you. Winning over your love, no one can do that for you. It's all on you. Show them through your actions, win them over with your sincerity. Do your best to get your family to accept Cecilia, and you'll have solved all your problems."

Owen said in frustration, "Becca is insisting that Cecilia and I get a divorce tomorrow, saying if we don't, it means Cecilia can't bear to leave, and she'll beat Cecilia up. Seeing her treat Cecilia so harshly breaks my heart. I agreed to start the divorce process tomorrow, but I won't give up on Cecilia."