Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 109

Ethan and his mom took a stroll on the expansive lawn before heading back in.

When Janice returned, she was cradling a doll, a gentle smile gracing her face. She moved with grace and exuded an air of nobility. Looking at her now, no one would guess she was battling mental illness.

But apart from Shirley, no one dared to approach her. Even Nathan only stood up from the sofa, but didn't walk over.

"Shirley, take my mom back to her room for some rest," Ethan suggested.

He saw his dad was still around, figuring he had something to say. So, he left his mom with Shirley. Although Shirley would sometimes comment on her condition, deep down she hoped for her to get better. In this house, very few genuinely wished for her recovery.

"Nathan, I'm gonna put baby to bed and get some rest. You should hit the hay early too." Janice no longer referred to her son as 'hubby', just calling him by his name instead.

Each time she called him that, Nathan would smile. Just as he was about to respond, he heard his son gently say, "Mom, got it. You get some rest. I'll take you for a walk tomorrow if I can."

Since Janice fell ill, the Blue family had kept her indoors, worried about being embarrassed and her causing harm. Ever since Lucinda went missing, Janice hadn't left the house for over twenty years. Fortunately, the Blue's yard was massive, so she didn't feel cooped up at home.

Watching his wife head upstairs with the doll and Shirley, Nathan's smile froze, reminding him of a scene twenty-some years ago…

"Dad, you got something to tell me?"

Ethan approached, his sneer evident upon seeing the lost look in his father's eyes.

After his mom fell ill, his dad and Madeleine had gotten quite close. Now, not only did the Blues, but the entire town of Skywatch considered Madeleine as the lady of the Blue household.

Ethan knew it was because his mom's family had fallen apart. His maternal grandparents and uncles were all gone, leaving only his cousin to keep the family afloat, barely managing. Over the years, without the Blue's support, his cousin and his business would've been swallowed up by someone else. So, his mom couldn't count on her family for backing.

This was why Madeleine was so cocky; her family was powerful.

"Mm, come to my study."

Nathan averted his gaze, wanting to explain something when he saw his son's mocking look. But he ended up saying nothing and walked away.

Nathan's study was unique. It was a standalone cabin outside, surrounded by nothing. Usually, Nathan's bodyguard would guard outside the study. Without Nathan leading the way, no one could enter the study. It was off-limits to anyone but the Blues. Discussions in this study were safe from eavesdropping as there was nowhere to hide.

Ethan chose to take calls on the big lawn, a habit he picked up from his dad.

The father and son didn't talk all the way.

The night was eerily silent. The streetlights, like loyal soldiers, guarded this piece of land, bringing light to the world.

The bodyguards guarding the study respectfully greeted them when they saw them coming.

The four bodyguards were Nathan's trusted men. They were loyal to Nathan and wouldn't be swayed by anyone. They only took orders from Nathan, not even from Nathan's own father. But they were always courteous to Ethan.

Nathan nodded, leading his son into his study.

Despite the study being made of wood, the interior was elegantly furnished.

Nathan first poured a glass of water for both of them.

Ethan didn't sit down but walked over to the desk, picking up a picture frame. It was a family photo of the four of them taken over twenty years ago. The photo was old but well-kept. It still looked as if it was just taken yesterday. In the photo, Nathan and his wife looked young, each holding a child, Ethan and his sister.

He and his sister were twins. Though they didn't look identical, they resembled each other. He took after his dad, who in turn resembled his own father in his youth. His mom said his sister looked like their grandma, but as a few-months-old, Ethan couldn't put his cute sister's face and grandma's together. After all, the old lady was old. No matter how well-preserved, she couldn't avoid the wrinkles on her face.

"Have some water." Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Nathan handed a glass of water to his son.

Ethan took the water his dad offered, saying thanks.

"We're father and son, no need to be so formal." With a sigh, Nathan added, "Now you're the only child I have left. We should be closer."

Ethan kept quiet, but his smirk didn't fade. Wasn't it all because of his father that their relationship had fallen apart? He neglected his mom, brought another woman home without giving his mom an explanation.

They could've divorced instead of betraying her over and over, even bringing Madeleine home. That woman claimed to be the lady of the household, bullying his mom whenever he was away.

"Dad, just spit it out if you've got something to say." Ethan finally spoke, his forthrightness choking Nathan up.

"Still looking for your sister?"

Ethan fell silent, waiting for his father to continue.

"It's been over twenty years. We don't know if she's alive or dead. Even that woman's already dead."

Mentioning that woman, Nathan's eyes filled with hatred. She was the cause of his family's downfall.

"She's been missing for over twenty years. If she was taken and doesn't know her identity, it'd be like finding a needle in a haystack even with advanced technology."

"Dad, are you saying I should stop looking for her?"

Nathan fell silent for a moment, then said, "I'm worried that if we keep looking, if she's still alive, it might put her in danger. Only when we stop looking, the people who took her would think they're off the hook, and your sister might be able to live safely somewhere. Maybe we're not that close to her, no matter where she is, we shouldn't mess with her life."

Ethan snapped, "Was it Madeleine who talked you into giving up on my sister?"

Madeleine had been itching to marry Nathan and become the lady of the house. She definitely wanted her own kids, and of course, she wouldn't want Nathan's entire fortune to be divided among the kids from his ex-wife.

Ethan was still the family's big cheese now, but once she married Nathan and had a kid, she won't let Ethan be the heir anymore.