Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 515

"How did you catch a cold?" the old patriarch asked with genuine concern.

Grandma seemed to have an inkling about the reason. She was about to say something but held her tongue, remembering that her grandchildren and their spouses were present.

"Dad, I'm fine," Nathan reassured him.

Looking over at his daughter, he asked, "Isn't your mom back yet? Give her a call and tell her to come home for breakfast."

"Mom said she'll eat later. She also mentioned that I should make sure you finish your ginger tea and have a good meal before heading to work."

Nathan, a bit let down not to see his wife, perked up at his daughter's words. Janice did care about him after all.

The ginger tea his daughter had prepared was potent, with a strong kick of ginger. The aroma alone was spicy enough to make his eyes water. But it was made by his daughter, and under his wife's instructions. He couldn't let them down.

With resolve, Nathan picked up the bowl of ginger tea and downed it with a satisfied grin.

Once finished, he set the bowl down and noticed everyone watching him.

"Dig in," he said casually.

Under the table, Keith nudged his sister, and when Lucinda glanced his way, he gave her a discreet thumbs-up.

Lucinda's eyes sparkled with amusement. Her father had planned to catch a cold to garner some sympathy from her mom, but she had thwarted his plan with a big bowl of ginger tea. Hopefully, he wouldn't blame her for being a little too clever.

The Blue family elders exchanged glances. The patriarch remained impassive, but the matriarch looked displeased. Ever since Madeleine and Hayden made amends, Nathan and Janice seemed to be getting along better too. A single word from Janice, and Nathan was well taken care of—breakfast and all. It irked the matriarch that despite her efforts, her son's heart was still with Janice.

"About Madeleine and her daughter." the matriarch began, unable to contain her dissatisfaction.

"Mom, you're getting on in years. Just enjoy retirement with Dad," Nathan replied nonchalantly. He set down his utensils, dabbed his mouth with a napkin, and stood up to leave, not wanting to hear more nagging.

"Grandpa, Grandma, I'm full. I’m heading back to the office," Keith said, following his father's lead.

Left at the table were just the two elders and Lucinda with her husband.

"Lucy, let's start preparing invitations for your party," the matriarch suggested with a smile, masking her earlier irritation.

"We'll go over which families in the area are worth mingling with and who are our close allies. Also, I'll call Mr. Earwood to measure you for some evening gowns."

"Mr. Earwood is the top gown designer in town. All the high society ladies love his work."

"Grandma, is the date for the party already set? If we're just starting on the gowns now, will they be ready in time?"

"I've already spoken to Mr. Earwood. He'll prioritize your gowns, putting other orders on hold, so there won’t be any delays."

After breakfast, the matriarch didn't immediately start on the invitations. Instead, she sat on the swing in the backyard, lost in thought.

Still standing at the gates of the grand estate, Madeleine and her mother watched as Nathan and his son emerged, one after the other, from within. Yet neither Nathan's nor his son's convoy paused for even a moment to acknowledge them.

Seeing Nathan's sleek black limousine disappear down the winding drive, Madeleine's eyes welled up with tears. She turned to her mother, voice quivering with frustration. "Mom, does Nathan really think I'm so worthless now that he can't even bear to look at me? Does he think I'm beneath him?"

"Once upon a time, I was always by his side. This estate's gates would never have dared to bar my way. But now… we've waited and pleaded, and still, no one will let us in."

Madeleine seethed, "Mom, I can't stand it!"

Ever since Janice and her daughter came back, the winds in the Blue family have shifted. Years of careful planning, all undone in an instant, and she couldn't bear it. She simply couldn't accept it!

The position of Lady of the Blue estate was meant to be hers!

Why couldn’t Janice just disappear?

Why did she have to wake up from her coma?

"Madeleine." Mrs. Porter called out to her daughter, her heart aching, but she was at a loss for words to comfort her.

After years of love and dedication, to have happiness snatched away just as it was within reach, who wouldn’t be furious?