Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 382

"Cecilia, why don't you consider dating? If you get a new boyfriend, Owen will finally give up."

Cecilia sipped her coffee, "Why should I sacrifice myself for Owen?"

"Aren't you trying to reject Owen? This way he'll definitely move on."

"I didn't exactly reject Owen. I'm simply testing the waters. If it doesn't feel right, I'm not going to dive in."

Olina immediately uttered, "It's not right. You two definitely aren't good to each other."

Cecilia stayed silent, sipping her coffee.

She glanced at the silent man who had just walked in and was heading directly towards them.

Olina was unaware that her son had entered, still in the middle of her long-winded speech, laying out all the reasons why Cecilia and her son were not a good match for each other.

"Mom!"

Owen called out coldly.

Was getting a wife really this hard?

With Avery as his love rival, his mother holding him back, and the Yates family's disapproval, Owen was truly experiencing the extreme difficulty in chasing someone he loved.

It was so hard!

Olina flinched at Owen's call, hastily turning her attention to her son. Seeing his grim face, Olina felt a sudden pang of unease and stuttered, "Owen, what are you doing here?"

"Mom, I told you. What happens between Cecilia and me is none of your business."

Owen noticed a check on the table and picked it up.

Olina was too late to stop him.

After seeing the amount, Owen's face turned even darker. However, he was glaring at Cecilia, gritting his teeth, "Are you trying to make a deal again?"

"I can't make any deal related to you since we don’t have connections. I can only watch as millions slip through my fingers. It's heartbreaking!"

Cecilia even made a pained expression as if she had just cut off a piece of her own flesh.

Owen was so mad he wanted to make her become his woman right then and there, so she could never escape him.

Sadly, he didn't have the guts to force her.

And he didn't want to.

They had agreed on consensual love.

He had to keep his word and not let a moment of anger ruin their first intimate moment.

Owen tore the check in front of them.

Cecilia felt pity for 1 million had gone just like that.

Olina realized her son got angry. She felt guilty. She wanted to run, but could she?

She secretly texted her husband, asking him to call her so she could make an excuse and get out of there.

Failed again this time.

Every time she came for Cecilia, she either embarrassed herself or got caught red-handed by her son.

She was incompatible with Cecilia. If Cecilia became her daughter-in-law, she would surely bring bad luck to her!

"Mom, if you dare to use money to make Cecilia leave me again, I'll become a monk!"

"Owen, are you trying to kill me with worry?"

Her phone rang. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Olina answered her husband's call in front of her son. After less than two minutes, she said, "Got it, I'll come back soon."

After hanging up, she grabbed her purse and told her son and Cecilia, "I have something urgent to attend to. Owen, I don't want Cecilia to be my daughter-in-law. That won't change."

Then, she didn't dare to look at her son's angry face, and hurriedly left.

Cecilia watched as her future mother-in-law fled. She remained calm, finished her coffee, and even invited Owen to sit down, "Your mom didn't get to eat any of the pastries. Do you want to help her finish them?"

"Cecilia!"

Owen called out in a low voice, "Can you stop trying to do this like today!"

He had merely had a few drinks with Devon, and she had almost struck a deal again.

"I've told you. You're not my man now, so I can't do that. It's your mom who wants me to leave you for money. But I declined. The problem is on you, and if I take the money and leave, your mom's wish will not be fulfilled. I'd get millions for doing nothing, and it would weigh on my conscience."

Owen grumbled, "Do you even have a conscience? It's probably been long gone, and you're still talking about feeling guilty."

He didn't believe for a second that Cecilia would feel guilty.

Cecilia chuckled, "I should've taken your mom's money. After all, you said I don’t have any conscience. If anyone offers me money to leave Pinehurst in the future, I'll take it. Oh, I missed the chance to become a millionaire, how heartbreaking."

She dramatically thumped her chest, which only made Owen's face darker.

"Cecilia."

Avery chose this moment to approach.

He really was brave.

But he had no choice.

His employer said he was doing great and encouraged him to keep going.

Seeing Avery approach with a bouquet of flowers, Owen's face turned even darker. He glared at Avery and asked coldly, "What are you doing here, Mr. Cooper?"

What was this guy's deal?

Owen had asked Walter to investigate Avery. Apart from finding out that Avery was a male model, he knew nothing else.

This irritated Owen greatly. He was constantly worried that Avery would steal Cecilia away.

Avery didn't look at Owen. Otherwise, he would've been so scared his legs would give out.

He focused on Cecilia, trying to make his gaze as affectionate as possible. To Owen, it looked like his love rival was presenting flowers to Cecilia with a lovesick expression.

The jealousy was unbearable.

Before Cecilia could even accept the flowers, Owen violently snatched the bouquet from Avery, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it repeatedly.

Avery and Cecilia watched as Owen trampled the bouquet into a mess.

After destroying the bouquet, Owen pulled Cecilia over, wrapped his arm around her waist, and told Avery authoritatively, "Mr. Cooper, Cecilia is mine! Scram, as far as you can!"

Avery wanted to scram but he couldn't.

He subtly pinched his thigh. The pain reminded him to stand up to Owen.

After all, his employer had assured him that he had nothing to fear from Owen.

So, Avery straightened his back, determination on his handsome face, and said assertively, "Mr. Martinez, Cecilia is currently single. She is no longer your wife in name and hasn't accepted your pursuit to be your girlfriend. Since she's still single, anyone has the right to pursue her. Who do you think you are, Mr. Martinez? You tell me to scram and I just listen to you? Why should I?"

Owen stared icily at Avery, his voice equally frosty, "Mr. cooper, you want to start a fight with me?"

Fight?

Avery blinked, taken aback. Were they about to get physical?

He didn't know the first thing about throwing punches.

"Owen Martinez."

Cecilia stepped in to defuse the situation. She gave Owen a sharp pinch at his waist, causing him to wince and loosen his grip, allowing her to escape from his hold.

"Owen Martinez. Avery is right, there's nothing between us. I'm single. I don't have a boyfriend. Anyone who likes me is free to pursue me."

"You call him what? Avery!"

Owen's jealous expression deepened.