Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 93

"Mom, I don't want to worry you guys. Plus, I can handle things on my own. I can't just run to you every time I hit a snag, right?"

"Ever since I was a kid, you and dad always taught me to tackle my problems and only come to you if I really can't manage."

Fiona was momentarily silenced by what her daughter had said.

She and her husband had always instilled the value of independence in their children. Perhaps they had done their job too well, as their children had grown fiercely self-reliant. When troubles arose, they often chose to handle them on their own, rather than turning to the family for support.

Had Fiona not been adept at navigating the Internet, she might have remained oblivious to the incident at her daughter's shop.

"Does the woman who trashed your shop come from a wealthy and powerful family?" Fiona asked with concern.

Without waiting for her daughter's reply, she sighed, "Lucy, you see, we're not poor, but if we go up against a rich family, we wouldn't know what to do. We might not be able to help you with your problems. And that's just when outsiders are giving you a hard time. If it's Stefan messing with you, with the Anderson family's power and influence, we might not even have a chance to know about it."

The thought of her daughter being treated unfairly, or even being tricked into believing she was ill, filled her heart with dread.

No, she can't think like that!

Nothing like that will happen!

Fiona quickly dismissed her thoughts.

She was afraid that her wild imagination might become reality.

"Mom, don't overthink it. Stefan said his family is easy to get along with. You've met his grandparents and one of his brothers. Don't you think they're nice?"

"We only met them once, and there's a difference between meeting and living with someone. That's when conflicts can arise."

Lucinda chuckled, "Mom, don't worry, I can handle my relationship with Stefan’s family. I saw how you interacted with my grandma when I was a kid. Are you still worried I can't handle these relationships?"

"Your grandma was easy to get along with. She's different from others, especially those from rich families."

"Mom."

"Alright, I know you don’t want to hear about this. Go wash your hands and we can eat when your dad comes home."

Lucinda nodded and turned to wash her hands.

"Mom."

"Yes?" Fiona started cooking.

"Stefan asked me a question. He asked what would happen if I wasn't your biological daughter."

Fiona stopped in her tracks, taken aback.

After a moment, she collected herself and inquired, "Why would Stefan question your relation to us? Of course you’re our biological daughter!"

The mere thought of the Anderson family's influence sent a jolt of anxiety through Fiona. Had they delved into their family secrets and discovered the truth about Lucinda's adoption? But it was such a well-kept secret. And the timing was uncanny. They had found Lucinda right after the loss of their own daughter.

The two girls were about the same age.

When she had dressed Lucinda in her daughter's clothes, she had thought her daughter had come back to her.

Fiona had raised Lucinda for nearly twenty-four years. In her heart, Lucinda was her daughter.

Aside from their family, no one knew about this.

"I've had the same dream for two nights. I told him about it, and then he asked me that question."

Lucinda finished washing her hands and walked over, reaching out to grab some food to eat, only to get her hand slapped by her mother.

"Can't you use a fork?"

Lucinda laughed and went to get a fork. As she ate, she said, "In my dream, I saw a middle-aged woman who was mentally ill. She was old but very beautiful. She kept calling me her baby, and I felt a strong connection when I saw her."

"In the dream, her child was taken away by someone. She cried so hard. I woke up with my pillow soaked with tears."

As she talked, she noticed that Fiona was in a daze.

"Mom?"

Lucinda stopped eating.

Her mother's reaction...

Could it be that she really wasn't a biological Moore?

Stefan wouldn't just ask her such a question out of the blue.

These rich people probably knew many things that ordinary people didn't.

"Mom, what are you thinking about?"

Fiona snapped back to reality and quickly dished out the food.

She then poured some water into the wok and started cleaning it.

"You always have vivid dreams and like to write them into your novels," Fiona said as she scrubbed the wok. "You are my daughter. I had a difficult time giving birth to you. Even the doctor still remembers you."

Lucinda casually said, "That's what I told Stefan when he asked me that question. How could I not be your biological daughter?"

"The mentally ill woman in my dream might have been my mother in a past life."

However, she already had her answer.

Fiona might not have been her birth mother, but in Lucinda's heart, that detail was inconsequential. She had grown up surrounded by the love of this family. If Fiona claimed her as a daughter, then that's who she was to Fiona.

However, if her biological parents were to come to her, she would confront them. Why had they left her behind? They had given her up once, and they had no right to disrupt her life now.

Yet, a recent dream hinted at a different story. It suggested she might have been kidnapped rather than abandoned. If this was true and her biological family had been searching for her all these years, she couldn't just dismiss them.

How much simpler life would be if she were a true-born Moore!

Her family treated her even better than many parents treated their biological children.

"Is Lucinda back?"

The voice of Vincent resonated.

He walked in holding a bag of food. NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

"Dad."

"You're back. I brought your favorite food. Come eat."

As he spoke, Vincent picked up a plate, washed it, and dished out the takeout food onto two plates.

"Wow, it smells good."

Lucinda leaned in, spearing a piece of meat with her fork, and popped it into her mouth.

"It tastes good, but not as good as the meat Dad cooks."

"You popped in unexpectedly today, so I didn't have time to prepare. Tomorrow, I'll go buy some meat and vegetables, and I'll personally cook for you."

"Thanks, Dad."

How could she possibly not be their biological daughter with such wonderful parents?

Even if she wasn't, she would still dutifully respect and care for them.

Their care for her was meticulous and thorough.

"Will Stefan be picking you up?"

Vincent casually asked, "That way I can cook more, and you can take some back for both of you."

"I told him to pick me up on Sunday. I'll bring some for him and I promise he'll love your cooking just like I do."

"Sounds good." Vincent responded cheerfully.

He didn't pry into his daughter's work or bring up Stefan's true identity.

As long as Lucinda came home, he would carefully prepare food and drinks to make her happy.

As for Lucinda casually marrying into the richest family in their city, Vincent saw it as fate's arrangement, with its profound meanings.

He chose to let things be.