Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 336

"Let's get a move on and get in there before the workers clock out,"

Cecilia was thoughtful, having brought him water and a burger, but she didn't forget their objective for the day.

As Owen started to munch on the burger, she made a move to hook his arm, ready to guide him inside the city hall.

"I haven't finished my burger. I'm hungry, I have low blood sugar. When I'm hungry, I get shaky, and I won't be able to sign anything in that condition." Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Owen was standing solid. Although Cecilia had some strength, she was no match for the skilled Owen.

In the past, Owen always gave way to Cecilia.

Cecilia was trying to pull him along, but he was too stiff, so she couldn't budge him.

"Can't you eat and walk at the same time?"

"No can do, it'd be embarrassing. I'm representing the Martinez family."

Cecilia was speechless.

They were right at the city hall entrance, yet she couldn't get him to go inside.

"Mr. Martinez, are you planning to wait until the workers clock out, so you won't have to go through the procedures?"

Owen, still munching on his burger, gave her a deep look, then honestly said, "Yes, I'm stalling. I actually don't want to divorce you."

He had reluctantly agreed to her mother's request to file for divorce the previous night.

As soon as he agreed, he regretted it.

Ever since he met Cecilia, it seemed like he made a lot of decisions he would regret.

"Cecilia, can we not divorce?"

Owen looked at her deeply, asking seriously.

"I know we got married because I owed you a favor. We even signed a contract; it was a contract marriage. I warned you not to fall in love with me. At that time, I was still in love with Ruby. It was my grandfather who forced me to marry you. But during our time together, I slowly accepted the role of a husband, really treating you as my wife. When you have troubles, I want to help you. Whatever you like, I want to buy it for you. Seeing you with that man, I get angry, uncomfortable; like it is jealousy. No, it's definitely jealousy!"

Upon hearing him mention 'that man', Cecilia curiously asked, "Who's the man you're talking about?"

"Avery Cooper."

"Cecilia." Owen held Cecilia's hand tightly, pleading, "Give me a chance, can we start over? In the past, I loved Ruby, did a lot of things you thought were foolish for her. When I love someone, it's real love. But once I let go, it's for real. I won't get back together with Ruby."

He laughed at himself as if he was mocking himself, "She doesn't love me. Even now, she doesn't have any real feelings for me. She just can't accept me letting go of her, she's used to my tolerance and unconditional giving."

Cecilia lightly mocked him, "Didn't expect you to finally understand that she's just using you."

"I know, I've always known. It's just that I used to hold a sliver of hope, thinking that someday she'll see my good points, let go of Stefan, and fall in love with me. Some people, no matter how persistent you are, they just won't fall in love with you."

Talking about his infatuation with Ruby, Owen gave a bitter smile.

His heart was still aching.

After all, Ruby was the woman he had loved from the start. He loved her for over a decade. Even though he had given up on her at that point and didn’t want to continue loving her anymore, ending a relationship still hurt.

"Cecilia, I like you now. I like being with you. Even if I get annoyed by your mockery every day, I still enjoy it. Can we start over? Just give me a chance."

Cecilia was quiet, looking at him.

After a moment, she said, "Owen, when we got our marriage certificate, we didn't get anyone's blessing. We were both forced into it, even signed a contract. You gave me money and I was just doing a job. This kind of marriage was like a thorn, pricking my heart. Whenever I think about our relationship, I remember everything you did for Ruby. I remember you, trying to protect your status, forcing me to sacrifice my marriage to repay your favor. I felt that I was being forced. Even if you have feelings for me now, I can't forget your actions back then. I'm willing to give you a chance, but we have to divorce first. Only after divorce can we truly start over. I haven't fallen in love with you yet, I just think you're not as foolish anymore. When you say 'give you a chance', you mean to let you pursue me, right? Okay, you can pursue me. If you can make me fall in love with you, willing to marry you, and our elders, friends and family all accept us together, give us their sincere blessings, then we can get married again. Owen, even though I'm carefree, I'm still a girl with dreams. Who doesn't want to walk into a marriage with everyone's blessings? I've never been pursued by you and we've never had a date. Even if we don't divorce, keep going like this, but when I look back, all I can

remember is everything you did for Ruby, even including marrying a woman you don't like. You're willing to sacrifice your own marriage to continue supporting Ruby, just to keep your status. Tell me, can such memories be sweet? I hope, in the future, when I look back at our past, they'll be our happy times, not built on your sacrifices for Ruby. Once, Lucy said we would end up like her and Mr. Coleman. On the surface, our paths seemed similar, but in reality, they were quite different. We can't replicate her love with Mr. Coleman, ."

Owen quietly listened to Cecilia voicing her feelings.

So, what she really wanted was for them to truly start a family, not getting married for Ruby.

What she said next reminded him of Stefan. Stefan had also said his relationship with Lucinda was unique.

Stefan had clearly explained why.

Indeed, it couldn't be replicated.

Even if they walked the same path, everyone's pace was different. It was impossible to completely follow in the footsteps of others, in the end, they would carve their own path.

"Owen, I've said everything I wanted to say. If you still can't make up your mind, let's go back. Clear your head, think it through, and then we can come back to take care of the procedures."

After finishing, Cecilia pulled her hand from his, turned around, ready to leave.

"Cecilia."

Owen called her to stop.