Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 18

Stefan slowly pulled out their marriage certificate and placed it on the small coffee table in the living room. He said to Fiona, "Mom, Lucinda and I are legally married, this certificate is real, we're not faking it."

Fiona picked up the certificate on the table and examined it.

All the information on the certificate was real, indicating that it wasn't a fake document to deceive her. Moreover, the accompanying wedding photo had been included. The two people in the photo were smiling sweetly, like a couple that had been dating for many years. This showed that when they registered for marriage, they truly loved each other, and there was no deception or coercion.

Recalling what Ike had said, Fiona handed the document back to her husband for a second look. She asked Stefan, "You and Lucinda have known each other for many years, but you didn't have much contact privately. How did you suddenly think of getting married?"

This happened after their daughter had failed in matchmaking many times. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Fiona didn't want to suspect that her daughter and Stefan were pretending to be a married couple to deceive her, but she couldn't help but doubt it because it was too coincidental.

Stefan showed a gentle expression on his face and explained, "Mom, I fell in love with Lucinda a long time ago. But since she is younger, I needed to wait patiently for her to grow up and wanted to have a stable job before confessing to her.

"I didn't expect that while I was working hard, Lucinda already had a boyfriend and their relationship was going well. Although I was upset, I respected Lucinda's choice. As long as Lucinda is happy, even if she is not with me, I hope she can be happy."

Stefan spoke very sincerely.

If his friends heard this, they would say that he was a very affectionate man.

"Because my company is close to Serendipity Cafe that she opened, I was meeting clients and conducting business there today when I found out about Lucinda's failed matchmaking attempt. I found out that she and her boyfriend had broken up.

"At that time, Lucinda was still upset about the matchmaking. I felt sorry for her and thought this was my chance to confess, so I expressed my feelings to her and asked her to marry me. Lucinda agreed, and we went straight to register for marriage.

"Mom, that's how things are. There's no pretending to be a married couple. After some twists and turns, Lucinda came back into my life. This time, I seized the opportunity because I didn't want to miss such a good girl again. I want to make her truly happy with my own efforts."

The Moore family was speechless.

It felt like they were listening to a story.

Lucinda, who was helping her brother cut fruit, also heard Stefan's words and secretly praised him, “Stefan really has a knack for acting, it's a pity he didn't become an actor.”

He's handsome, charming, and can act. It's a waste not to be an actor.

If it weren't for the fact that she was the female lead in his fabricated story, Lucinda would have believed the words Stefan said.

"Mom, although Lucinda and I got married a bit quickly, we've actually thought it through and won't regret it. I promise, from now on, I'll love Lucinda, pamper her, spoil her, and never let her suffer."

The Moore family was still silent for a long time.

They didn't know what to say.

Stefan's condition was the best compared to those Lucinda had met in matchmaking.

And they have known each other for a long time.

"Stefan, come, have some tea."

"Stefan, have some fruit."

Ike and Lucinda came over one after the other.

Lucinda secretly gave Stefan a thumbs up.

Stefan looked at Lucinda lovingly. His action in the eyes of the Moore family looked like a heartfelt confession.

His eyes were full of tenderness.

Lucinda couldn't help but exclaim in her heart, “... Oh my God! Stefan, your acting is too convincing! I almost thought you really loved me.”

"Since you two have made this decision after careful consideration, we can't say anything. Stefan, where do you live? We need to visit."

Fiona held back her reluctance.

The little girl they had brought home years ago, who had grown into a beautiful young woman with their care, was now married.

Although she was always urging marriage and arranging matchmaking for Lucinda, she was the one who was most reluctant to let Lucinda go.

Stefan smiled, "I live in the suburbs, the address is quite remote. It's a bit difficult to get there and easy to get lost. So, I'll tell my parents to come here and visit you."

Fiona nodded, "Since you and Lucinda are legally married, we as parents definitely need to meet."

Even if Stefan's parents came over, the Moore family would still have to find time to visit Stefan's family.

After all, their daughter was going to spend her life in their home, they had to know where their daughter lived.

"It might be inconvenient recently." Stefan said apologetically, "My parents are traveling abroad and haven't returned home yet. They probably won't be back for another month or two."

Fiona asked, "So, you and Lucinda are not in a rush to hold a wedding?"

Stefan looked at Lucinda, still with that affectionate look. He said with a pampering tone, "This matter is up to Lucinda. Whenever she wants to hold the wedding, that's when we'll hold it."

"Dad, Mom, if you have any requirements for the wedding, just mention them. I'll do everything I can."

Lucinda picked up an apple and ate it while listening.

Even the wedding was mentioned.

Stefan was really a dedicated actor, the world owed him an Oscar for best actor.

"We don't have any requirements. As long as Lucinda is happy, we're happy."

This was Vincent's attitude as the head of the family.

"Mom." Ike called softly, mumbling inside, “Shouldn't we be interrogating the suspect? How did we jump straight to planning a wedding?”

Fiona shot her son a look, then said to Stefan, "Stefan, Ike here has a few questions for you, you better answer them honestly."

Ike didn't know what to say, he was totally baffled.

A few minutes later.

On the rooftop of the Moore family's building.

Ike leaned against the railing, facing Stefan.

The breeze of the night was incredibly refreshing.

"Ike, what do you want to ask?"

"Got a cigarette?"

"You know I don't smoke."

He remembered that Lucinda didn't like men who smoked.

"Lucinda doesn't like men who smoke, does anyone in your family smoke?"

Ike said a bit impatiently, "That doesn't mean I don't smoke."

"If you want to ask something, just ask, I'll tell you."

Ike took a deep breath, then asked straight out, "Are you up for it?"

Stefan replied, "...Ike, can you be more specific?"

Are you up for it?

In what sense?

"I mean are you a real man, or are you just trying to deceive Lucinda because you're actually impotent? For all these years, there hasn't been any woman around you, I, no, our male classmates think you might be sexually dysfunctional, or have some psychological issues."