“Ta-da, I'm ready!” Kaylie announced, striking a pose with her arms stretched out to the sides and a bright smile.Gage turned around, and his eyes widened in awe as he took in her transformed appearance. “This is... wow,” he stuttered, struggling to find the words to express his admiration.Kaylie had already dressed up, but Gage had asked her to change into something else because the original dress had been a gift from Bryson, and Gage wanted her to wear the one he had given her instead.“You like this?” She asked, still smiling.Gage slowly shook her head. “No…” he gave a simple response. A smile appeared on his face and he raised his voice, confessing, “I love it!”He swiftly steered to her front, gently taking her hand and turning her around to look at her backside as well. He gazed into her eyes, his face radiant with admiration. “You look stunning,” he complimented, his voice filled with sincerity. “We should get more dresses in this style. It suits you perfectly.”“Thank you.”
Kaylie slowly opened her eyes, lifting her head from the bed. She turned her head, catching Gage staring at her with a subtle smile. “What are you staring at?” she mumbled, her brow furrowed in a mixture of sleepiness and curiosity. She brushed her hand over her face, yawning, and crawled backward, resting her back against the bed header, her eyes never leaving Gage’s gentle smile.“Gage,” she whispered his name but despite his gaze on her, he didn't respond and his expression was unreadable. Her face scrunched up in concern as she observed him for a few seconds, wondering what was going through his mind. When he still didn't react, she raised her voice slightly, calling out to him again. “Gage.”Gage flinched. “Hun!” A tone fled his mouth, his eyes broadened, shocked. He was miles away, lost in thought and her raised voice caught him unaware, leaving him stunned.She paused for a moment, allowing him to compose himself, before asking, “What are you thinking?”He stared downward and
Kaylie trudged into the room. As she reached the bed, she fell her bottom onto it with a soft sigh. “Oh, my,” she muttered. “Listening to that woman drone on about what I’m not doing is exhausting,”Her gaze drifted to Gage, who had only looked up from his phone when she entered. She shook her head, frustration etching on her face. “My mind was racing with anger. It’s a waste of my time.”Gage dimmed his phone screen and shrugged his left shoulder, his expression empathetic. “Sorry you had to go through that,” he said, his voice infused with understanding. A warm smile crept onto his lips as he tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry, it’ll all be over soon. It’s just a matter of time, right?”She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes.” She lifted her left hand, revealing a small pill vial. “Here.”His brow furrowed in curiosity. "What's that?" he asked.“Something Sadie gave me,” she replied flatly. “A sleeping pill she wants me to feed you tomorrow morning so you’ll be out unt
‘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 picture her husband’s driver sent to her. The photo that shattered her heart. In her hand was the picture that had been making tears flood out of her swollen eyes. A clear image of her husband and his unknown mistress, whom she was on her way to find out. “We’re there, ma.” The car parked, and she got out of the taxi. 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. “Remember why you’re here.” Without waiting for another second, she put her phone in her pocket and paced to the gate. “You got this, okay?” Growing up with her adoptive
“You should stop now,” Kaylie told herself, giving herself reasons to stop crying. Her tears had been uncontrollable since she walked out of the mansion until she entered the taxi that had been on the road for over an hour, heading to her family’s home- the place where someone who hated her most and never hid it lived. Had it been there was another place to go, her family home wouldn’t have been an option. She had no friends because Emily, her mother, forbade it. There was no family. She was still a baby when they adopted her from the orphanage home, but to date, the purpose of her adoption wasn’t clear. It could have been because they were yet to conceive, but it was just a few months after their wedding. “Never compete with my daughter. I took you in and to repay my generosity, you must serve my daughter your whole life!” Her mother constantly reminded her she had no place in the family, and the only chance she would get in the world was to serve her daughter. “What’s my purpose
A few days later. * “Where are you coming from?” Wendy asked as Kaylie entered the parlor, her right leg crossed on the left with her arms folded on her chest. Kaylie sighed and closed the door behind her. She didn’t interact and wouldn’t have stepped out of her room if not for Jaxon she was searching for and, since she didn’t want to get into an argument, she ignored her, heading to her room. Wendy stood and rushed to her front. “Why are you getting worse every day?” She challenged. She exhaled softly, her hand placed on her chest. “The thought of not having to tolerate you for a longer time makes me so happy.” Kaylie furrowed her face, unclear. “What do you mean?” Wendy giggled. “Don’t be in a hurry; you’ll figure it out soon,” she said. She returned to the sofa and sat, staring at Kaylie’s face, her lips tinted with a smile. “Congratulations in advance, big sis.” Kaylie withered her forehead, confused, her eyes fixed on Wendy, who was no longer looking at her. She was confus
Kaylie was nervous. A part of her told her she had made a wrong decision that could destroy her, while the flustered part that signed the agreement kept pushing her. However, it was too late to have second thoughts–she was already in the car the Garcias had sent to pick her up. She had been in the car for over an hour, on her way to a blind date with an heir of a conglomerate family who had once been the talk of the city but disappeared without any explanation from his family. As the car slowed, Kaylie knew they were getting closer to the venue. Her heart started pounding fast, and she fidgeted as the timid part of her took over. She clutched the left part of her chest and half-closed her eyes as she drew out a short, yet deep, breath. “Stay calm, Kaylie,” she whispered. “Remember, you have got to save Jaxon. Okay?” The car finally turned into the grand entrance, and Kaylie’s anxiety spiked. The driveway, lined with tall trees and immaculately manicured hedges, led to the luxuriou
“Stop trying, Mr. Man, you're green to me. I see a green flag from your head down to the toe, so for no reason, I'm walking out of here,” she declared. “And even if I later do, it will be out of my free will, not your nonchalant attitude. Okay?” Gage ground his teeth. Kaylie's attitude kept pissing him off. He wished there was something to vent his anger on, but since there was none, he turned it into a statement. “Fuck you!” Kaylie beamed. “Same to you.” She uttered. Gage fixed his reddened eyes on Kaylie, but he couldn't say anything, while Kaylie also looked away from him. After a few minutes, Kaylie felt bored, and knowing the silence wouldn't solve the problem, especially his grandfather's freedom, she started the conversation. “Why don't you calm yourself?” She spoke in an appeasing tone. “Being rude to me won't solve the problem here; finding a solution will do.” Gage withered his face. He found a little sense in her words, so he asked, “What solution?” “We-” she opened
Kaylie trudged into the room. As she reached the bed, she fell her bottom onto it with a soft sigh. “Oh, my,” she muttered. “Listening to that woman drone on about what I’m not doing is exhausting,”Her gaze drifted to Gage, who had only looked up from his phone when she entered. She shook her head, frustration etching on her face. “My mind was racing with anger. It’s a waste of my time.”Gage dimmed his phone screen and shrugged his left shoulder, his expression empathetic. “Sorry you had to go through that,” he said, his voice infused with understanding. A warm smile crept onto his lips as he tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry, it’ll all be over soon. It’s just a matter of time, right?”She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes.” She lifted her left hand, revealing a small pill vial. “Here.”His brow furrowed in curiosity. "What's that?" he asked.“Something Sadie gave me,” she replied flatly. “A sleeping pill she wants me to feed you tomorrow morning so you’ll be out unt
Kaylie slowly opened her eyes, lifting her head from the bed. She turned her head, catching Gage staring at her with a subtle smile. “What are you staring at?” she mumbled, her brow furrowed in a mixture of sleepiness and curiosity. She brushed her hand over her face, yawning, and crawled backward, resting her back against the bed header, her eyes never leaving Gage’s gentle smile.“Gage,” she whispered his name but despite his gaze on her, he didn't respond and his expression was unreadable. Her face scrunched up in concern as she observed him for a few seconds, wondering what was going through his mind. When he still didn't react, she raised her voice slightly, calling out to him again. “Gage.”Gage flinched. “Hun!” A tone fled his mouth, his eyes broadened, shocked. He was miles away, lost in thought and her raised voice caught him unaware, leaving him stunned.She paused for a moment, allowing him to compose himself, before asking, “What are you thinking?”He stared downward and
“Ta-da, I'm ready!” Kaylie announced, striking a pose with her arms stretched out to the sides and a bright smile.Gage turned around, and his eyes widened in awe as he took in her transformed appearance. “This is... wow,” he stuttered, struggling to find the words to express his admiration.Kaylie had already dressed up, but Gage had asked her to change into something else because the original dress had been a gift from Bryson, and Gage wanted her to wear the one he had given her instead.“You like this?” She asked, still smiling.Gage slowly shook her head. “No…” he gave a simple response. A smile appeared on his face and he raised his voice, confessing, “I love it!”He swiftly steered to her front, gently taking her hand and turning her around to look at her backside as well. He gazed into her eyes, his face radiant with admiration. “You look stunning,” he complimented, his voice filled with sincerity. “We should get more dresses in this style. It suits you perfectly.”“Thank you.”
Kaylie entered the house in a slow stride, a look of concern etched on her face, and as she arrived in front of the room, Richard came out.He bent his neck. “Welcome, ma.” He greeted.Kaylie was too worried to respond to his greeting. Instead, she let out her worry. “How's he?” She asked. “Is he sleeping?”He nodded. “Yes,” he responded, and Kaylie instantly walked past him, but he stopped her. “He’s asked to be alone, and I think we should respect his wishes and let him have some quiet time.”Kaylie scoffed. “I appreciate your concern, but I think I can handle this. As his wife, let me take care of this.” She made a point and took another step forward, and as she laid her hand on the lever, his words stopped her again.“He said it was because of you.”She slowly turned around, her face furrowed confused, and as her eyes landed on him, she asked, “What are you talking about.”Richard sighed. “I don't have all the details, but from what he told me, it sounds like he's really passionat
“What’s the difference between here and the atrium?” Kaylie threw a question from behind, slowly taking her steps as she entered the atrium, lightly holding a glass of wine in her right hand.Gage glanced backward at her, and wihtotu saying a word, he escorted her with his eyes until she arrived befoer him.“You were angry because the host and your father lavished praises on Bryson, and left the hall all because you didn’t wnat to hear Bryson’s voice,” she let out, staring into his eyes. “Now, tell me. the hall is just a few steps away from here. isn’t his voice reaching ehre?”“It does,” he answered in simplicity. he avereted his gaze from her, staring at his front. “But I did the least I could. I can’t help hearing his voice since you insist I should say, but I’m not seeing his face,”“That’s the hardest to bear.”She shrugged, exhaling softly. she wore a smile and slightly bent her neck. “Anyway, thanks,” she appreciated.He gazed at her, and knowing what he would say, she instantl
“Hello,” a smiling lady approached Kaylie. She arrived at their table, stood behind the chair next to Gage, and faced Kaylie, curtsying her head. Good afternoon, ma.”Kaylie slightly bent her neck. “Good afternoon.” She responded, her brow furrowed, staring at the lady with unfamiliarity, a welcoming beam slightly curled into her lips.“How’re you doing, ma?” The lady asked, and before Kaylie could utter a word, she chuckled lightly, saying, “it’s obvious you’re doing great, ma. Your expression says it all.”Kaylie beamed. “Thank you.” She said.“I’m Sofia, from Eon Lumina,” the lady introduced. She took out a business card from her purse, stretched it out to give Kaylie, and waited for Kaylie to skim through it before proceeding. “Eon Lumina is an upcoming modeling company.”Kaylie nodded, showing she was paying attention, even though her eyes were fixed on the card.“I’m the company representative. We’re dedicated to discovering and promoting talented individuals in the fashion indu
“Hello,” a smiling lady approached Kaylie. She arrived at their table, stood behind the chair next to Gage, and faced Kaylie, curtsying her head. Good afternoon, ma.”Kaylie slightly bent her neck. “Good afternoon.” She responded, her brow furrowed, staring at the lady with unfamiliarity, a welcoming beam slightly curled into her lips.“How’re you doing, ma?” The lady asked, and before Kaylie could utter a word, she chuckled lightly, saying, “it’s obvious you’re doing great, ma. Your expression says it all.”Kaylie beamed. “Thank you.” She said.“I’m Sofia, from Eon Lumina,” the lady introduced. She took out a business card from her purse, stretched it out to give Kaylie, and waited for Kaylie to skim through it before proceeding. “Eon Lumina is an upcoming modeling company.”Kaylie nodded, showing she was paying attention, even though her eyes were fixed on the card.“I’m the company representative. We’re dedicated to discovering and promoting talented individuals in the fashion indu
-A week and a few days later-Sarah stood at the roadside, phone pressed to her ear, trying to soothe Sandra's yelling. “Sandra, calm down. I’ll explain everything when I get back, please,” she said, her eyes half-closed in frustration. She knew Sandra wouldn’t listen, so she hung up and switched her phone to ‘do not disturb’ mode.Sarah had been secretly planning her next move. She had stumbled upon a job posted online for a waitress position at Food Lab, the city's most popular and biggest restaurant. Without telling Sandra, she had applied for the job and now sneaked out of the house for the interview.Sandra had been overly protective of Sarah, forbidding her from doing household chores, cooking, or even leaving the house until after she gave birth. However, Sarah was determined to find a job so she could support Sandra with the bills.Sarah returned her phone to her jacket pocket. She took a deep breath and without waiting for another second, she raised her gaze and walked onto t
“Hello,” a lady approached Kaylie, smiling. She arrived to thier table, standing after the chair next to Gage, facing Kaylie with as she curtsied her head, smiling. “Good afternoon, ma.”Kaylie slightly bent her neck. “Good afternoong.” She responded, her brow furrowed, staring at the lady with unfamiliarity, a welcoming beam slightly curled into her lips.“How’re you doing, ma?” The lady asked, and before Kaylie could utter a word, she chuckled lightly, saying, “it’s obvious you’re doing great, ma. Your expression says it all.”Kaylie beamed. “Thank you.” She said.“I’m Sofia, from Eon Lumina,” the lady introduced. She took out a business card from her purse and stretched it out to give Kaylie, and waited for Kaylie to skimmed through it before she proceeded. “Eon Lumina is an upcoming modeling company.”Kaylie nodded, shwoing she was paying attnetion, even though her eyes were fixed on the card.“I’m the company representative. We’re dedicated to discovering and promoting talented i