“Stop!” Gage commanded, and Richard immediately hit the brakes as if he'd been waiting for the order. The sudden halt sent the cab driver rolling forward a few inches before he managed to pause. As the cab skidded to a stop on the roadside, Kaylie flung open the door and, forgetting to settle the fare, sprinted out of the car, racing toward Gage’s vehicle.The driver quickly shed his seatbelt and leapt out of the cab, calling out, “Ma’am!” He waved his arms to catch her attention, but Kaylie was oblivious, her focus fixed on Gage. The driver swiftly caught up with her, grasping her arm from behind and spinning her around. “You haven’t paid me, ma’am,” he said, extending his left hand expectantly.Kaylie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Huh?” She uttered, patting her jeans pockets in a panic. She checked again, but her pockets were empty.The driver’s finger jabbed toward her face. “You’re paying before you leave here!” He said, his voice escalating. “How could you hail a cab without the
Kaylie stopped rubbing Gage's hand as the car pulled into the compound and parked in front of the entrance. His hand still rested on her thighs, and she lifted her hand to tap him on the shoulder, thinking he was asleep. But before her hand could reach him, his eyes fluttered open, and he gazed at her. “You don’t have to worry about waking me up,” he said, lifting his head from the backrest. “I’m awake the moment you stop.” She lowered her hand. “Okay.” She said softly.She gently removed his hand from her lap and shifted on the seat, turning toward the door to exit. As she reached for the lever, his voice halted her. “What if we spent a few moments in the car?” He asked, but she ignored his question and quickly got out of the car.Richard, who had been waiting patiently, took off his seatbelt and rushed to the boot to get the wheelchair. He positioned it in front of the door beside Gage and stepped forward, expecting Kaylie to take charge. However, she remained still, not making 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 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
“Wow!” Kaylie awed immediately as the ironed crafted gate opened, and she sighted the grand mansion before her- the Garcia family’s residence. The mansion was popular, but the majority could only imagine and picture its appearance in their minds through the expensive gate. Kaylie looked around and joggled her head as the luxurious car sent over to pick her up glided up the winding driveway. The mansion’s sleek modern facade gleamed with floor-to-ceiling windows, polished chrome accents, and creamy white stone. Lush greenery and manicured gardens around it provided a serene oasis amidst the luxurious surroundings. As the car stopped before the grand entrance, a liveried chauffeur with the Garcia family’s logo on his coat chest sprang to attention and opened the door with a flourish smile. Kaylie stepped out onto the driveway, her stilettos clicking on the polished stone. A maid came forward and bowed her head, her right hand on the left, positioning them on her stomach. “Good day,
Kaylie stopped rubbing Gage's hand as the car pulled into the compound and parked in front of the entrance. His hand still rested on her thighs, and she lifted her hand to tap him on the shoulder, thinking he was asleep. But before her hand could reach him, his eyes fluttered open, and he gazed at her. “You don’t have to worry about waking me up,” he said, lifting his head from the backrest. “I’m awake the moment you stop.” She lowered her hand. “Okay.” She said softly.She gently removed his hand from her lap and shifted on the seat, turning toward the door to exit. As she reached for the lever, his voice halted her. “What if we spent a few moments in the car?” He asked, but she ignored his question and quickly got out of the car.Richard, who had been waiting patiently, took off his seatbelt and rushed to the boot to get the wheelchair. He positioned it in front of the door beside Gage and stepped forward, expecting Kaylie to take charge. However, she remained still, not making a
“Stop!” Gage commanded, and Richard immediately hit the brakes as if he'd been waiting for the order. The sudden halt sent the cab driver rolling forward a few inches before he managed to pause. As the cab skidded to a stop on the roadside, Kaylie flung open the door and, forgetting to settle the fare, sprinted out of the car, racing toward Gage’s vehicle.The driver quickly shed his seatbelt and leapt out of the cab, calling out, “Ma’am!” He waved his arms to catch her attention, but Kaylie was oblivious, her focus fixed on Gage. The driver swiftly caught up with her, grasping her arm from behind and spinning her around. “You haven’t paid me, ma’am,” he said, extending his left hand expectantly.Kaylie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Huh?” She uttered, patting her jeans pockets in a panic. She checked again, but her pockets were empty.The driver’s finger jabbed toward her face. “You’re paying before you leave here!” He said, his voice escalating. “How could you hail a cab without the
Over an hour had passed since Dr. Gage finished Gage’s physical assessment. He’d headed to the radiology department to collect Gage’s imaging and neurological test results.Kaylie had remained silent, not uttering a word to Gage, while Gage, who’d been eager to start a conversation, had lost his nerve. His mouth had betrayed his heart, and the silence continued.The door swung open, and Dr. George entered, a smile on his face, clutching a file tightly in his hands. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting…”Kaylie’s face lifted, and she glared backward. A smile spread across her face. “Dr. George…” she murmured.George walked around the table, taking his seat and placing the file in front of him. “There’s a free test going on in the hospital today, so the queue was quite long.” He explained.Kaylie nodded, her eyes fixed on the file. “Okay,” she said softly, her mind still on the main point bothering her. “The test… how is it?”George handed her the file, his expression professional. “This is th
“We're here,” Kaylie announced, a bright smile spreading across her face. She glanced up at the hospital sign, her eyes scanning the letters on the board while reading them out. “Care Haven Hospital,” Her gaze snapped back to Gage, her excitement palpable. “This is the biggest hospital in the city. You know that, right?” She asked.Gage nodded, his expression a mix of resignation and fatigue. He had been cooped up in the car for too long and was itching to stretch his legs, but Kaylie’s enthusiasm was infectious, and he couldn’t deny her excitement.Richard hopped out of the car, fetched the wheelchair, and positioned it beside Gage’s door. He spread it, ready to assist Gage out of the vehicle, but Kaylie’s hand shot up, halting him.“Don't worry,” she said, her voice gentle. “I’ll take care of him.”Kaylie quickly exited the car and walked around to the other side, her eyes locking onto Gage’s as she opened the door.She offered a reassuring smile, which made his heart skip a beat. H
Kaylie held up the file, her eyes scanning the staff as she asked, “Does anyone know what this is?”The staff remained silent, deliberately turning their faces away to show disinterest.A smile crept onto Sadie and Vera’s lips as they exchanged a knowing glance, their plan already bearing fruit.Sadie’s gaze dropped slightly, and she softly bit her upper lip, a hint of satisfaction crossing her face. Then her head snapped up, her expression transforming into a cold, stoic mask. “Your lives, your jobs, your fate in this household—it all lies in this file I hold. Anyone care to look?”Vera turned to Sadie, her brow furrowed in question. “What's she talking about?” She asked, but before Sadie could respond, Kaylie continued, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.“What most of you don't know is that my co-wife,” Kaylie said, glancing over her shoulder at Sadie, “isn't the one who signs your paychecks. It’s Gage.”The staff’s eyes widened in surprise, their mouths agape. “Ehn!” The
“I can’t take this anymore!” Sadie screamed, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she sat on the edge of the bed, her teeth clenched in frustration. Vera stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Sadie’s tense form. She had been standing there for minutes, watching Sadie’s anger simmer just below the surface, but she had waited for the right moment to intervene. “If only you’d listened to me,” Vera said, her voice laced with a mix of concern and exasperation. “Things wouldn’t have escalated this far.” Sadie’s gaze snapped up, her face etched with regret and guilt. “How was I supposed to know, Vera?” She whispered, her voice barely audible. “Kaylie was a master manipulator. She made her plan seem flawless, and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. I thought her tears and concern for Bryson were genuine,” Sadie’s voice cracked as she struggled to continue, the pain of her past interactions with Kaylie still raw. “Her smiles, her reactions whenever I talked about Bryson’s success…” Her word
Chairman Paul entered the dining room, and Kaylie and Bryson stood to greet him. Without a word, he adjusted his chair to his liking before taking a seat. His eyes were noticeably red.“Are you okay, sir?” Kaylie asked, her voice laced with concern. She couldn’t help but notice his reddened eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”Chairman Paul’s gaze dropped, and he shook his head slightly. “I’m fine,” he replied curtly. “Are you serving the meal or the maid? Please, let’s hurry. I have a meeting.”Though Kaylie wasn’t convinced, she didn’t press the issue, aware that Gage’s presence meant she should maintain a level of detachment. She nodded and began serving the meal, trying to gauge the chairman’s condition without drawing further attention to it.“Okay, sir,” she said, rising from her seat since the maids were still out on errands. Despite no longer seeking the chairman’s approval, a lingering habit prompted her to attend to him first. As she approached the chairman’s place,
The door creaked open, and before Chairman Paul could even step inside, Sadie sprang to her feet from the bed, her arms crossed over her chest. She strode forward, her eyes fixed intently on him. “You didn't come home last night? Where did you sleep? Where are you coming from?” The questions tumbled out in rapid succession. She’d been waiting, coiled with tension, since the sound of his car had echoed through the driveway. As soon as he'd stepped in, she was ready to confront him. Chairman Paul brushed past her concerns, walking straight to the bed. He sank onto the edge, his movements weary, and began to remove his wristwatch. As he set it down on the nightstand, Sadie closed in, her anger palpable.“I'm talking to you,” she said, her voice even, careful not to let her tone get shrill. “You didn't come home, and you didn't even bother to call. I called you over and over, but you didn't pick up until your phone died, or maybe you switched it off.”Chairman Paul’s response was direct,
Bryson walked into the parlor, and his mother jumped up, rushing over to him. His expression was somber, and his mother’s concern was palpable. She positioned herself in front of him, placing her hands on his shoulders and locking eyes with him.“How did it go?” she asked, her voice laced with worry. “What did your father say? He disagreed, did he?”“He did,” he answered in simplicity. “Kaylie will be taking over, so I can’t have the share anymore.”Sadie’s eyes widened in shock, still struggling to wrap her head around the announcement, despite not being entirely new to her. As a fellow director, she had strongly considered opposing Kaylie's involvement, but Chairman Paul had sent her home before the second emergency meeting even started, leaving her without a chance to voice her dissent.Sadie's hands flew to her chest as she stumbled backward, but Vera was quick to react, rushing to her side and catching her before she fell. “Calm down, Ma,” Vera soothed, holding her tightly as she