Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 174

Pinehurst, Hospital.

Janice had a pleasant morning with Lucinda, even without clutching her doll and calling it baby like she usually did.

She had a normal conversation with Lucinda without showing any signs of confusion. However, whenever she saw Ethan, she would call him sweetheart, and her sanity would disappear.

The Anderson family's servant brought lunch which was arranged by Savannah Blue Anderson.

After lunch, Janice started to yawn frequently. Lucinda gently said, "You obviously need some rest."

But Janice seemed nervous, "I'm a bit scared."

"What are you scared of?"

Janice whispered, "I'm afraid that if I fall asleep, someone will touch me, kiss me, and then,"

Hearing this, Lucinda and Ethan exchanged a glance. Ethan's face immediately turned gloomy.

Lucinda signaled him to stay calm and leave the room so she could ask Janice.

Ethan left in silence.

Lucinda sat by the bed, asking with concern, "Is this your dream, or did someone really do something awful to you?"

Janice looked troubled. Given her current mental state, she couldn’t figure it out. "I don't know. I keep falling asleep; it's like dreaming, but when I wake up, there's no one in the room."

"I'm really scared."

Lucinda gave her a sympathetic hug.

Now that Janice was confused and Lucinda didn't know much about the internal situation of the Blue family, she didn't know who took care of Janice. Were those things really happening or just Janice's dreams?

"Don't be scared now. I'm here; I'll stay with you until you wake up."

Janice smiled, "Really? I haven't dared to take a nap for a long time."

Those things happening between wakefulness and sleep always occurred during her nap, so she was scared of napping.

"Really, I'll stay with you."

"Then, let me sleep a little. Where's my baby? I want to take a nap with my baby."

Lucinda quickly handed her the doll. She held the doll and, with Lucinda's help, laid down.

Janice quickly fell asleep due to extreme fatigue.

Lucinda covered her with a thin blanket and left the room.

"Lucy."

As she stepped out of the room, she saw Ike.

Ike was holding flowers in one hand and a basket of fruits in the other.

He was talking to Ethan. When they saw Lucinda coming out, their brief conversation stopped.

"Why are you here?"

Ike scolded her, "You always keep things from us. If it weren't for Stefan, I wouldn't have known."

Lucinda immediately took his arm, cooing at him, "I'm 24 now. I can handle my own stuff. I didn't want to bother you or make Mom and Dad worry. Don't be mad."

Ike put down the fruit, pointed at her forehead with a finger, "Yes, you've become so capable that you don't have to tell us anything, not even something as big as getting married."

Lucinda playfully stuck her tongue out.

Ethan watched the interaction between the siblings with envy.

He was also Lucy's brother and a real one at that, but they were separated when they were a few months old.

They had no contact for 23 years. They wouldn't have recognized each other if he didn't know that she looked like their mother Grace when she was young.

Even though they both knew they were siblings, they were still awkward. They didn't know what to talk about except their mother.

Lucinda couldn't treat him the same way she treated Ike.

"Stefan."

Lucinda ignored Ike and went to greet Stefan first.

Ike was speechless.

He muttered, "Married women really do favor their husbands more."

He stopped and waited for them to finish their affectionate interaction before he approached.

When he got closer, he lightly tapped Lucinda’s head, "You saw your husband and neglected your brother."

Lucinda touched her head and laughed sheepishly, "I only had eyes for Stefan when I saw him. I forgot you were next to me."

"From how you talk, it's clear you're head over heels for your hubby. Just how long have you been hitched? We've been like siblings for over twenty years, you know."

Ike looked heartbroken, staring at the guy who stole his little sis. He seemed so smug, and it really got Ike down.

That guy even had the nerve to say, "Ike, Lucy's future is all mine. She's going to be with me for the next few decades."

Ike glared at him.

"Don't get too cocky. Lucy has two brothers. Just because I can't tackle you doesn't mean her blood brother can't."

He'd briefly chatted with Ethan and could tell he was totally protective of Lucy.

They were twins, after all.

After more than twenty years apart, once Lucy was back with her real family, they'd definitely want her to stay home a bit longer.

Stefan and Lucy's wedding might not happen that quickly.

"That just means there's one more person to look out for Lucy."

Stefan seemed all sunshine and rainbows. He pulled Lucy back into his arms and wrapped his arm around her waist right in front of Ike. He then turned to his wife and said, "Honey, I booked us lunch at the Ascend Hotel. Let's go, I'll treat you to a meal."