Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 136

Finally, Ike turned his back, no longer looking at the lovey-dovey couple.

Even if he didn't want to, they were now legally married.

After a while, Stefan let go of his lover.

Lucinda felt a bit weak. Stefan moved her away from the tree trunk, scooped her up in his arms, and left the woods.

People waiting by the roadside, who had been engrossed in their phones, finally pocketed them when they saw the newlyweds emerge.

Lucinda's face was red as a beet.

Even though they were alone in the woods, these people undoubtedly spotted their kiss.

Blushing, she avoided their gaze. Seeing her brother, she lowered her head and called out to him.

Ike responded, "We'll talk about it at home."

With that, he turned around and left.

Lucinda suddenly felt a sense of loneliness around Ike as she watched Ike's retreating figure.

Before, whenever she faced problems, Ike was always the first to appear by her side to help her out.

Their sibling relationship was always good; she was always his most cherished little sister.

Stefan took Lucinda to his car. Instead of driving himself, he let a bodyguard take the wheel while he and Lucinda sat in the backseat. "Charles, tell everyone to head home. I'll treat everyone to a meal next time."

After instructing Charles, Stefan's car took off.

"Where to?" The bodyguard asked while driving.

"Diamond Ridge Estates."

It was the closest place. Going back to Ascend Estate would be too far, and his grandparents were home. He didn't want them to know about this and worry.

As for the guy who kidnapped but released Lucinda, he would investigate thoroughly and find the culprit.

He wanted to see who dared to kidnap his wife within Pinehurst.

Apparently, the news of their public marriage was not enough. They needed to have a grand wedding ceremony to declare his ownership of her.

"Alright." With a destination in mind, the bodyguard focused on driving.

On the way home, Stefan held Lucinda silently.

When he found out Lucinda was in trouble, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

Why did she not contact him first when she was safe?

Moreover, her phone ran out of battery at a crucial moment.

Luckily, she managed to contact her brother before her phone died, allowing them to find her quickly. Otherwise, how would she have come back?

Lucinda lay quietly in his arms, occasionally looking up at him.

Seeing his tense face, stern expression, and closed lips, she didn't dare speak. She just snuggled quietly into his arms. Even though he was holding her tightly, making her a bit uncomfortable, she didn't dare push him away.

Ever since she saw the photos he cherished and understood his deep feelings for her, Lucinda knew how much he cared for her.

It was normal for him to be nervous and scared when something like this happened to her.

When they arrived at Diamond Ridge Estates, Lucinda wanted to get out of the car.

"Stay put; don't move!" Stefan said in a low voice.

Lucinda looked at him. She had already pushed the car door open and had one foot out, but she quickly pulled it back and hurriedly shut the car door. Stefan got out of the car first, then carried her out.

Lucinda was speechless.

"Stefan."

Stefan didn't respond, so Lucinda swallowed back the words she wanted to say.

She could only hold onto his neck tightly, letting him carry her towards the room.

The only person who could follow the couple back to Diamond Ridge Estates was Ike.

He parked the car and saw Stefan carrying his sister into the house without acknowledging him. Ike sat in the car, unsure if he should get out.

A few minutes later, Emma came out of the house and walked straight to Ike.

"It's hot outside; come in quickly."

Ike first asked, "Where are Stefan and my sister?"

"He carried her upstairs."

Ike was silent for a while after hearing Emma's reply, then he took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, took a deep drag, and said to Emma, "I'll come in after I finish this cigarette; you go ahead." "There's an ashtray inside the house."

"No need; Lucy doesn't like the smell of smoke. I'll finish it here so it won't bother her."

Realizing that he didn't want to come in for now, Emma didn't push it any further. She turned to look at the house entrance, then asked Ike in a low voice, "What happened to Lucinda? Why would Stefan bring her back at this time? His expression was very serious. Something big must have happened."

Emma didn't believe they would fight.

Stefan had always deeply loved Lucinda. He waited for so many years and made countless efforts to win her over. He would never willingly quarrel with her.

After taking a drag, Ike exhaled smoke and said lightly, "It's alright now."

This incident also made him see Stefan's capabilities. He trusted Stefan completely.

Without Stefan today, Lucinda would definitely be in huge trouble.

But the fact that Lucinda was targeted by the kidnappers was likely also because of Stefan. No one dared to harm Stefan in Pinehurst. Stefan had boxing training, and with bodyguards secretly protecting him, i was hard for anyone to get close to him.

So they targeted Lucinda.

"It's good that everything's fine." Emma quickly said.

"Go ahead with your work; I'll come in after I finish this cigarette."

Ike wasn't a fool. Although he didn't have a girlfriend, he was nearly thirty. He understood why Stefan carried Lucinda upstairs.

Even though they were legally married, the fact that the couple left him aside and went to the bedroom first made Ike feel mixed emotions.

Although he was reluctant, he had no other choice.

"Then I'll go first." Emma turned back and went inside while Ike continued smoking.

In a room upstairs, Lucinda and her husband got intimate twice before she was let go.

Stefan carried her into the bathroom to clean up.

"From now on, if anything happens, you have to tell me immediately."

"

Stefan made a low request to the woman, who looked a bit tired.

Looking at him, Lucinda's eyes sparkled, and she said, "Stefan, are you worried about me or are you jealous of my brother?"

Stefan pulled her into his arms, holding her tight and whispering, "I got you."

"When your brother rang me up, I was scared outta my wits. It took everything I had to keep my cool and get a rescue team on it. I drove out to the burbs myself. Zoey said those kidnappers switched rides a bunch of times, probably trying to haul you outta town."