Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 497

Nathan, with his wife and children, was ushered into the main house amid a clamor of relatives.

Fearing that the house would be too crowded if everyone entered, many of the extended family members wisely bid farewell to the patriarch at the doorway before heading back to their own homes.

With the return of the eldest daughter, a grand feast was inevitable, and the entire clan would be attending. This occasion would serve as an excellent opportunity for the distant relatives to mingle with influential people.

"Dad, Mom, we're back," Nathan announced, his voice carrying a hint of detachment.

His relationship with his parents was lukewarm at best.

Especially since his wife had her breakdown, the connection with his mother had grown even fainter.

Nevertheless, as the eldest son, it was his duty to care for his aging parents in his home.

After all, with a house full of staff to attend to the elders, all it took was the occasional check-in and a shared meal now and then to fulfill his obligations.

Janice's gaze cooled as she faced her mother-in-law. With pursed lips, she eventually turned towards her father-in-law and greeted him with a muted "Dad."

During her time of turmoil, her father-in-law, though not directly harming her, didn’t offer aid either.

Nathan was often busy, and even though he had arranged for the loyal Shirley to protect her, Shirley was, after all, just a worker, only able to call Nathan in times of distress. Her father-in-law, now retired and idle, could have easily helped with just a word.

But he remained silent.

Perhaps he too disdained her during her insanity, especially after her own family had fallen from grace.

These people were far too pragmatic.

When she and Nathan first married, her family was quite influential, and her mother-in-law, despite always chiding her for being overly possessive and jealous of Nathan, would be gently scolded by her father-in-law.

Once she lost her sanity and her family's fortunes dwindled, leaving only her nephew, her father-in-law's demeanor changed.

Still, the person Janice resented the most was her mother-in-law.

Only for the sake of her children did she address her father-in-law.

"Good to have you back," the elder patriarch said warmly.

Janice didn’t reply.

"Grandpa, Grandma," Keith and his sister called out. As the younger generation, regardless of the elders' behavior, they had to show respect publicly.

The grandmother, noticing Janice's omission, felt her smile grow cold, tempted to create a scene right then and there.

The fact that Janice had regained her senses, yet still disregarded her mother-in-law, rankled deeply. Remembering the divorce talks between Janice and her eldest son, the grandmother held back her anger for the moment.

Hearing her grandchildren's greetings, she quickly resumed her affectionate smile.

"Grandpa, Grandma," Stefan also stepped forward to greet the elders.

The room went silent. Old deception met young pretense, a perfect blend of insincerity.

Like grandmother, like granddaughter—no wonder they were so alike!

"How could I ever be cross with you? I'm too busy adoring you," the grandmother replied, her face glowing with indulgence as she gently tapped Lucinda's forehead.

Watching Lucinda with a face that bore such a striking resemblance to her own, the grandmother's smile became much warmer and more genuine.

"Please, everyone take a seat."

Nathan also sat down, gesturing casually for the gathering crowd to find places to sit at their leisure.

Janice didn't sit next to her husband; instead, she chose to sit with her son and son-in-law.

Nathan's expression revealed nothing amiss.

With the house full of people, he had once again donned his social mask.

"Lucy," the grandmother called affectionately, removing a necklace from around her neck and placing it into Lucinda's hands. "This is my favorite necklace, and now I'm giving it to you as a welcome home gift."

Lucinda caught the subtle shift in Kayla and Ashley's expressions, a tinge of envy in their eyes, and she knew that this necklace was of considerable value.