Kaylie’s words, though spoken without intention, held a strange kind of comfort in Gage’s mind. They were a fleeting moment of connection, a whispered promise that he was not alone. At that moment, it didn't matter that she didn't mean to touch his heart; the words themselves took on a life of their own, bringing solace to a place within him that needed it.“Thank you…” That was all he could say. His quivering lip was stilled by a determined jaw, a mask of strength hiding the tremble of unshed tears.He sniffed and repeated. “Thanks… thank you.”Kaylie stood on her feet, bending her back a little. She rounded her right arm around his head and rested it on her stomach, patting his back with her right hand. “You may not be fine now, but I can assure you will be soon.”Rukmini was surprised. Though she didn’t intend to taunt Kaylie and only involved her name to caution Gage so he wouldn’t dive deeper into the past she didn’t want to talk about or be reminded of, she didn’t expect any wom
‘Be cautious, for in Garcia’s family, secrets run deeper than bloodlines. There's always more to the story than what's being told.’Rukmini’s warning left an indelible mark on Kaylie’s mind, the seed of concern rooting in my thoughts as she walked out of Om Kapoor. She had a few questions in her mind, but couldn’t ask because Gage entered the dressing room and didn’t leave her alone with Rukmini until they finished the adjustment and left.Kaylie’s worry had weakened her she couldn’t push Gage and requested Richard take the box out and come back for Gage.She entered the car and seeing her expression and mood since she came out of the dressing room, Gage suspected something was wrong.He didn’t want to question her, but he couldn’t hold back anymore. “What’s wrong?” He asked, his voice was low and Kaylie couldn’t hear him because she was lost in thought. So he raised his voice a little. “Kaylie.”“Hun!” She toned with her eyes widened in shock. She blinked her eyes twice and faced him
“Oh.” Kaylie uttered as she shockingly stepped aside, avoiding bumping into Richard. He was holding Gage’s meal plates, packing them to the kitchen.Without glancing backward, she pointed in the kitchen direction, permitting, “Go first.”Richard curtsied his head. “Thanks, ma.” He said. He released the door lever and walked away in a hurry.After eyeing him until he reached the parlor, Kaylie took a soft breath. She entered the room and unlocked the door before slowly taking her steps toward Gage, sitting on the couch.Seeing her enter, Gage immediately looked away, staring to the left side, avoiding eye contact.“What exactly are you scared of?” She threw a question immediately as she arrived at his front, with a few gaps between them.He slowly turned his neck, and as his eyes landed on her body, he lifted his eyebrows twice before his gaze met hers. “What do you mean?” He asked, his face furrowed unclear.She exhaled softly, keeping her voice low. “I’m asking what you’re scared of,
“Anything you want,” he answered in simplicity, his gaze filled with determination, certain she wouldn’t succeed. “Just name. Whatever you want, I’ll give it.”She nodded her head twice, her lips filled with a beam. “Deal,” she uttered. She loosened her hands from her chest and walked to his side. She sat down and raised her finger. “To prove my plan works out, I’ll retrieve one of her plans against you. How about that?”He nodded in acceptance. “Agreed,” he said. “But I know you’ll fail.”She lifted her brows, grinning. “I have a request already, and I can’t wait to get this done so I can ask for it,” she stated. “Hopefully you won’t fail me.”He chuckled. “I may not be who I think I am, but one thing that can never change about me- I always stand on my words,” he let out. “And in addition to whatever you request, if you retrieve useful information from Sadie, I’ll blindly follow every other plan you’ve got,”“I’ll let you take the lead.” He promised.“This inspires me more.” She sai
Kaylie opened the door and peeped into the room before entering.“Are you sneaking?” Gage threw a question, turning around to face the entrance immediately as the door creaked. He was sitting in his wheelchair in front of the window. “No one forbids you from entering as you wish, the only thing we won’t be sharing is the bed.”She scoffed, slightly shaking her head. “I’m not sneaking in,” she uttered. “Just checking before entering.” “Checking for what?” He asked.“Because I don’t want to witness what I shouldn’t.” She answered in simplicity.He furrowed his brows, unclear. “And what don’t you want to witness?” He asked.“Unnecessary conversations shall be avoided.” She said, walking to the couch to sit.After watching her sit, he turned the wheelchair to comfortably look at her. “Where have you been?” He questioned.“Taking fresh air outside,” she gave a simple response, adding, “taking fresh air.”“With who?” He interrogated.She chuckled softly. “You know already don’t you?” She a
“A good heart is the heaviest burden to bear…”Kaylie recalled one of her grandpa’s statements, which she never understood its weight until she received the notification of the new pictures her husband’s driver sent- the photo that shattered her heart.Right in her hand was the picture that had been making uncontrollable tears flood out of her swollen eyes- a clear image of her husband and his unknown mistress, which she was eagerly on her way to find out.“We’re there, ma.”The car parked, and she got down.She dug her hand into her jacket pocket and fixed her eyes on the luxury gate of the mansion, which was certain her husband was inside with his mistress.She sniffed and wiped her face. “Calm down, Kaylie,” she said to herself in a whisper.She wiped her face and licked her lips before inhaling deeply and exhaling softly, stopping the tears. “Kaylie, remember why you are here….” She told herself, and without waiting for another second, she put her phone in her jacket pocket and pa
“You’ve to stop now…” Kaylie told herself, giving herself reasons to stop crying.Her tears had been uncontrollable since she walked out of the mansion and got into the cab which had been driving for over an hour, heading to her family’s home. The place where someone who hated her and never hid it lived.She wished there was somewhere else to go, but there was none. She had no friends because her mother forbade her from moving with her peers from childhood till she graduated from college.Kaylie was just a little girl in an orphanage home before Emily and Andrew adopted her. They hadn’t conceived a child when they adopted her, and after they were blessed with one, they neglected her.Emily constantly reminded Kaylie that she had no place in the family and that even if she would have one in the world, it would be while serving under her daughter, Wendy.“You’re nothing without us! We took you in so your entire life, don’t you ever compete with my daughter! The only reason you still ex
A few days later.*“Where are you coming from?” Wendy threw a question immediately as Kaylie entered, her right leg crossed on the left as she picked up her wine and sipped it.Kaylie sighed. She was tired and didn’t want to get into an argument, so she headed to her room. She had been staying alone in her room for the past week, and the last time she went out was when she visited the lawyer to sign a divorce paper. She went out a few hours ago to search for Jaxon but didn’t find him or even trace his whereabouts.She asked his father about her grandfather, but he didn’t know and didn’t even care. Or perhaps he knew, but didn’t want her to know.Wendy put her wine down and paced to Kaylie’s front. “You’re getting worse every day,” she uttered. She sighed, rubbing her forehead with her right hand and the left on her waist. “You’re disgusting. I just don’t know how long I would have to put up with you before Mom would find a solution,”She raised her eyebrows and shivered her head. “I
Kaylie opened the door and peeped into the room before entering.“Are you sneaking?” Gage threw a question, turning around to face the entrance immediately as the door creaked. He was sitting in his wheelchair in front of the window. “No one forbids you from entering as you wish, the only thing we won’t be sharing is the bed.”She scoffed, slightly shaking her head. “I’m not sneaking in,” she uttered. “Just checking before entering.” “Checking for what?” He asked.“Because I don’t want to witness what I shouldn’t.” She answered in simplicity.He furrowed his brows, unclear. “And what don’t you want to witness?” He asked.“Unnecessary conversations shall be avoided.” She said, walking to the couch to sit.After watching her sit, he turned the wheelchair to comfortably look at her. “Where have you been?” He questioned.“Taking fresh air outside,” she gave a simple response, adding, “taking fresh air.”“With who?” He interrogated.She chuckled softly. “You know already don’t you?” She a
“Anything you want,” he answered in simplicity, his gaze filled with determination, certain she wouldn’t succeed. “Just name. Whatever you want, I’ll give it.”She nodded her head twice, her lips filled with a beam. “Deal,” she uttered. She loosened her hands from her chest and walked to his side. She sat down and raised her finger. “To prove my plan works out, I’ll retrieve one of her plans against you. How about that?”He nodded in acceptance. “Agreed,” he said. “But I know you’ll fail.”She lifted her brows, grinning. “I have a request already, and I can’t wait to get this done so I can ask for it,” she stated. “Hopefully you won’t fail me.”He chuckled. “I may not be who I think I am, but one thing that can never change about me- I always stand on my words,” he let out. “And in addition to whatever you request, if you retrieve useful information from Sadie, I’ll blindly follow every other plan you’ve got,”“I’ll let you take the lead.” He promised.“This inspires me more.” She sai
“Oh.” Kaylie uttered as she shockingly stepped aside, avoiding bumping into Richard. He was holding Gage’s meal plates, packing them to the kitchen.Without glancing backward, she pointed in the kitchen direction, permitting, “Go first.”Richard curtsied his head. “Thanks, ma.” He said. He released the door lever and walked away in a hurry.After eyeing him until he reached the parlor, Kaylie took a soft breath. She entered the room and unlocked the door before slowly taking her steps toward Gage, sitting on the couch.Seeing her enter, Gage immediately looked away, staring to the left side, avoiding eye contact.“What exactly are you scared of?” She threw a question immediately as she arrived at his front, with a few gaps between them.He slowly turned his neck, and as his eyes landed on her body, he lifted his eyebrows twice before his gaze met hers. “What do you mean?” He asked, his face furrowed unclear.She exhaled softly, keeping her voice low. “I’m asking what you’re scared of,
‘Be cautious, for in Garcia’s family, secrets run deeper than bloodlines. There's always more to the story than what's being told.’Rukmini’s warning left an indelible mark on Kaylie’s mind, the seed of concern rooting in my thoughts as she walked out of Om Kapoor. She had a few questions in her mind, but couldn’t ask because Gage entered the dressing room and didn’t leave her alone with Rukmini until they finished the adjustment and left.Kaylie’s worry had weakened her she couldn’t push Gage and requested Richard take the box out and come back for Gage.She entered the car and seeing her expression and mood since she came out of the dressing room, Gage suspected something was wrong.He didn’t want to question her, but he couldn’t hold back anymore. “What’s wrong?” He asked, his voice was low and Kaylie couldn’t hear him because she was lost in thought. So he raised his voice a little. “Kaylie.”“Hun!” She toned with her eyes widened in shock. She blinked her eyes twice and faced him
Kaylie’s words, though spoken without intention, held a strange kind of comfort in Gage’s mind. They were a fleeting moment of connection, a whispered promise that he was not alone. At that moment, it didn't matter that she didn't mean to touch his heart; the words themselves took on a life of their own, bringing solace to a place within him that needed it.“Thank you…” That was all he could say. His quivering lip was stilled by a determined jaw, a mask of strength hiding the tremble of unshed tears.He sniffed and repeated. “Thanks… thank you.”Kaylie stood on her feet, bending her back a little. She rounded her right arm around his head and rested it on her stomach, patting his back with her right hand. “You may not be fine now, but I can assure you will be soon.”Rukmini was surprised. Though she didn’t intend to taunt Kaylie and only involved her name to caution Gage so he wouldn’t dive deeper into the past she didn’t want to talk about or be reminded of, she didn’t expect any wom
The car arrived in front of Om Kapoor, the biggest fashion design company in the city, owned by an Indian business lady in her early thirties. The company was popular for selling the most expensive dresses, including daily wear, so only wealthy people were their customers.Kaylie smiled, excited her long-time dream was fulfilled. During her first wedding, she wished her dress would be from Om Kapoor, but she couldn’t afford it. Emily wouldn’t get it for her and didn’t allow her grandfather to get it for her as well.“I’ve called Rukmini. She’s the one attending to you.” Gage informed.Kaylie’s eyes enlarged. She couldn’t keep the surprise and she repeated the name with a raised voice. “Rukmini?!” She exclaimed.Gage nodded, his face furrowed, confused, staring at her with his head moved backward a little. “Yes,” he confirmed, asking, “why? Don’t you like her? You don’t want her to attend to you?”Kaylie swiftly shook her head, waving her hands. “No… no… I want her. I want Rukmini to a
Emily’s eyes slammed shut and her lips quivered; staring at Kaylie saying those words. She wished she could open her mouth and utter a word in defense, but she couldn’t, so she kept staring at Kaylie’s mouth.Kaylie tinted a part of her lips with a smile and took another step forward. “This isn’t a warning, just as a mere daughter you’ve always maltreated, neither as just a daughter-in-law of the Garcia family; this is from a new updated version of Kaylie;”“The updated version with countless new features and terror upgrades. Don’t mess with me or I won’t have a second thought before fighting back. I don’t need a third party’s voice,” she said.She raised her brow and locked eyes with Emily as she tapped herself on the chest, saying, “I, Kaylie, will fight for myself. Okay?”Immediately, as Kaylie stopped talking, Emily giggled and stood on her feet. “No, Kaylie,” she said, shaking her head. “That’s not what I mean. I wasn’t talking about you. I was...”Kaylie raised her shoulder and
Emily turned the lever. Since the door was locked and she couldn’t open it, she took her hand off it and knocked on the door.Kaylie was busy pressing her phone and didn’t respond until she heard the knock again. She raised her gaze, looking at the entrance. “Who’s there?” She asked.“It’s me.” Emily answered, her voice raised a little so Kaylie could hear her.Kaylie could identify Emily’s voice, but she wanted to give her a little hard time, so she acted ignorant. “Who are you?” She asked.“Kaylie, it’s me.” Emily answered.Kaylie chuckled in a manner that Emily would hear her. “You? Who?” She riled. “Identify yourself by name, position, or maybe your role in this family.”Emily bit her lower lips and ground her teeth. She already suspected Kaylie wanted to provoke her, so she didn’t say a word.“Are you still there?” Kaylie asked but heard no response, so she continued pressing her phone.After standing for a minute, thinking Kaylie would come out or open the door for her to get in
“Mother…” Kaylie called, staring backward to see Sadie hadn’t taken a step forward.Sadie shook her head and she smiled. “Oh. I’m sorry,” she apologized and leaped forward. She arrived beside Kaylie and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”“Hun!” Kaylie sounded in opposition. She looked at Sadie’s face, saying, “the chairman, would he want me inside the same room with him?”Sadie grinned. “He has gone out.”“Okay.” Kaylie uttered. She smiled and entered the room after Sadie, holding hands with her.Immediately as they entered, Sadie released Kaylie’s hand and paced to the bed. She picked up a pillow at the edge and took it to the header, placing it in its right position.After setting the bed and adjusting the duvet, she turned to Kaylie, smiling. “Please, have your seat,” she offered, pointing at the Armchair and a table in its front, at the left side of the room, after the door.Kaylie bowed her head. She rushed to the chair and adjusted her dress before sitting down. “Thanks, ma.” She sai