Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 278

Olina's top priority was that her future daughter-in-law must be of good character. There's no way she would let Owen pick a woman with a bad record.

With Owen being so amazing, there were plenty of good women out there.

Why would he pick a woman with a bad record?

"Olina, let me explain."

Ruby knelt in front of Olina, gripping her clothes tightly and not even flinching from any blows.

Through tears, she pleaded, "Olina, it's all a misunderstanding. I was framed. Listen to me, I really didn't."

"Shut up! Who would frame you? If you didn't do those things, who could frame you? Why didn't anyone frame Lucinda?"

Lucinda, who was spectating, couldn't help but interject, "Olina, please don't drag me into this. I'm innocent. The one who tried to frame me got their just desserts. I was not harmed."

Olina struggled to shake Ruby off, turning to Lucinda and saying, "Lucinda, I know who tried to frame you. It was Ruby’s doing!"

"I know, I'm just enjoying the sight of my husband standing up for me."

Ruby was so angry she could faint. Olina was panting heavily.

"Olina!"

"Don't call me! Hearing you call me makes me sick! I was so good to you, and you deceived me. I hate being lied to the most. Go away right now; the further, the better. Don't come to our house

anymore; you're not welcome. And don't go looking for Owen. If I find out you're bothering Owen, I won't go easy on you!"

Olina's hatred for Ruby was as strong as her previous affection.

Thinking about how she treated Ruby and Megan made Olina's face burn. When she looked at Ruby, her eyes were blazing. She couldn't help but kick Ruby away.

She didn't want to let Stefan and his wife continue laughing at her, so she turned and walked away.

"Olina, Olina." Ruby got up and grabbed one of Olina's legs, crying, "Olina, will you listen to me? Olina, you watched me grow up. You and my mom are so close; don't you trust me or her?"

"When there are no issues, your mom and I are good friends. But when there's a conflict, your mom will definitely side with you. Ruby, I may not be a genius, but I'm not stupid."

She had won Shane over with her beauty when she was young.

Olina admitted she didn't have the high EQ of Jeannie Coleman, but she wasn't a fool.

"Ruby, don't blame me for being ruthless. You brought this situation on yourself. The man you've secretly loved for over a decade brought his beloved woman to watch your downfall. The man who loved you for so many years was so fed up with your antics that he didn't even want to look at you."

Olina once again pushed Ruby away and walked into the house.

Ruby sat on the ground, crying.

Why didn't Owen come out to see her? Did Owen despise her too?

"Owen, Owen, come out, come out!"

Ruby kept calling for Owen.

She ignored Stefan and his wife, who were watching them with smug expressions. She didn't care about her image anymore and she just wanted to see Owen and ask if he still loved her.

Owen did come out, not disappointing Ruby.

"Owen."

Seeing Owen step out, Derek reminded him, "Owen, remember Cecilia."

Owen didn't answer and he just walked straight out.

When he saw Stefan with Lucinda, he stopped, looked at Stefan for a while, and said, "It’s really windy today. It even blew Mr. Coleman over."

Stefan chuckled and said, "We came for the show."

He added, "My wife likes watching dramas, making it a good one."

Owen felt uncomfortable. His mood was low, but his competitor was acting affectionately in front of him, like he didn't have a wife!

He had a wife too!

Lucinda laughed and said, "Mr. Martinez, the stage is yours; enjoy."

Owen: "You two really are a match!"

They knew how to push his buttons.

"Owen."

Ruby stood up, crying, "Owen."

Owen finally looked at her.

Her current state was pitiful; her cheeks were red and swollen, and her ladylike demeanor was gone. Her grace was all an act, and Owen had been fooled by her façade all along.

After all, she was the woman he had loved for over a decade. Seeing Ruby in such a pitiful state made Owen's heart ache. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

It took a lot of effort for him not to comfort her, let alone hold her like before.

Ruby was disappointed. She didn't get the answer she wanted.

She was right in front of Owen, in a pitiful state, but the way Owen looked at her was different. His pained expression made Ruby panic.

Owen's broad and warm embrace was no longer her safe haven.

"Owen." Ruby, tears welling up, her lips trembling, choked out, "Do you still love me?"

Owen was silent for a long time before finally saying, "Ruby, I waited for you for over a decade, and you never saw the good in me. Now, I don't want to wait anymore."

As he said this, Ruby started crying, and she fell to the ground.

She felt hopeless! No one would wait for her forever.

Owen had been behind her for over a decade, and she never looked back.

When she wanted to look back, Owen had already turned and walked away.

Olina was right; this was all her karma!

Seeing Ruby crying her heart out, Owen pulled out a pack of tissues. Instead of handing them to her, he crouched down and placed the pack of tissues on the ground in front of Ruby.

Then he stood up, looked at Ruby for a while, and turned to walk away.

After a few steps, he stopped, turned back, and said to Stefan and his wife, “Since you guys are here, why don't you come in and have a seat?"

Stefan gave Ruby a glance, then turned his gaze to his wife, asking, "Lucy, want to go in and take a seat?"

Lucinda noticed Trenton was also present and said, "We came for the fun of it, but we didn't bring any gifts. With Trenton here, would people think we're rude if we go in empty-handed?"

Stefan chuckled. "Even if we brought gifts, they might not dare to accept them, thinking our gifts might be poisoned or something."

Owen: "Stefan, don't make us sound so paranoid. Although my grandpa might be a little wary of gifts from others, he completely trusts anything from the Anderson family."

The integrity of the Anderson family was obvious. Even if they were on opposing sides, Owen wouldn't let his biases make him badmouth the Andersons.