Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 88

"Lucy." Stefan caught up with Lucinda, grabbing her hand and pulling her into his arms.

"Let go of me!"

Lucinda struggled, trying to push him away, but his grip was too strong, and she couldn't break free.

"Let me go!"

"Lucy, there's really nothing between me and Ruby. I've never loved her, nor have I ever made any promises to her. Those are just rumors spread by others, they assumed that she and I were a couple."

Stefan didn't know how many times he had to explain his relationship with Ruby to Lucinda.

He truly didn't love Ruby.

Ten years ago, Ruby tried to seduce him, but he was young and strong-willed and didn't fall for her.

Ruby's failure to seduce him made her feel humiliated, so she left the country.

Out of respect for their past growing up together, he didn't make a fuss about Ruby's attempt to bed him.

"Lucy, don't be mad. From now on, I won't answer any calls from Ruby."

"Block her number."

"Okay, I'll block her."

"She called me a slut."

"She's the slut."

"I already cursed her out, so you don't have to do it for me."

Stefan stared at her, somewhat puzzled.

In love, the first to fall is often the most vulnerable.

Stefan was deeply vulnerable.

His deep affection for Lucinda made him dread her anger. When she was upset, he felt disoriented.

Even the indomitable Mr. Coleman had his weakness, and Lucinda was it. She was his soft spot, his vulnerability.

Anyone daring to harm her would face repercussions.

Spotting his unease, Lucinda burst into laughter.

Reacting instantly to her laughter, Stefan drew her close, enveloping her in a tight embrace.

His voice shaky, he whispered, "Lucy, my heart stopped when you walked away just now."

"Let's go, we're going down the mountain, I'm hungry."

Lucinda gently pushed him away, but as soon as he let go, he grabbed her hand again.

"I'll take you to eat."

The small storm was blown away by the mountain wind, disappearing without a trace.

...

"Smash it, smash it hard!"

Dressed in black and wearing sunglasses, Ruby stormed into Serendipity Cafe with a group of thugs. At her command, they started trashing the place.

The customers in the shop were scared and ran outside.

"What are you doing?"

Cecilia came out from the back room, holding a tray with two cups of coffee for the customers.

Seeing people smashing her shop, she instinctively rushed forward and yelled.

Ruby was furious when she saw Cecilia.

When she saw Cecilia at Owen's place, she thought Cecilia looked familiar but couldn't remember why.

Now that she saw Cecilia in Lucinda's shop, she realized.

This was Lucinda's partner.

What a bitch!

Lucinda stole her Stefan, and Cecilia was stealing her Owen. They were both bitches, shameless!