(The Date)(Simon pov) I stood there, my blood boiling with rage as I witnessed him holding her and kissing her. Was I just a pawn in her game? Did she befriend me just to be able to have access to him and fancy places? Am I just a substitute to fulfill her sexual desires because she can't have him?These thoughts consumed me, and I desperately wanted answers. Her eyes were filled with shock, and I realized that maybe I had arrived at the wrong time."Simon," she called out, her voice barely audible."I guess we meet again," I said, trying to compose myself."Hmm," was all she could say. If only she knew how utterly messed up I felt because of her. Maybe then, she wouldn't have thoughtlessly kissed another man."Hello, Mr. Sinclair," Gustavo, the man standing beside her, greeted me, extending his hand for a shake. As I reluctantly took his hand, a surge of anger coursed through me.How long had they been involved? How intimately had he explored eve
(The devil and its minions)I continuously pressed the doorbell, aware that Gustavo must be inside. His car was parked in the lot, after all. Hoping for a response, I tried one last time, but still, there was no answer. Frustrated, I turned to leave and made my way towards the elevator.Confusion gnawed at me, wondering why Gustavo was avoiding me. He was inside, so why was he ignoring my attempts to reach him? I unlocked my car and sat inside, unable to move. Just then, the doors of the elevator opened, revealing a figure stepping out.My eyes widened in disbelief as I recognized my stepmother emerging from Gustavo's place. A wave of realization washed over me. Was there something I was missing? Had Gustavo been avoiding me because my stepmother was with him? The questions raced through my mind, leaving me stunned and lost for words.I sat there in disbelief as my stepmother walked out of Gustavo's place. Confusion and anger washed over me in waves as I tried to
(The Truth)I sat there, struggling to comprehend a single word of what Nanny Laura was attempting to convey. "Wait, are you saying my mom knew my stepmother?"Nanny Laura sighed, her gaze fixed on some distant memory. "Yes, Madam Ciara was employed as your mother's secretary in Paris. She had complete access to your mother's work because she knew every intricate detail like the back of her hand."Confusion consumed me as I absorbed this information. "But how does Gustavo fit into all of this?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.Nanny Laura hesitated for a moment before answering. "I only recently discovered that they have been seeing each other secretly. It seems that when Gustavo was newly employed, your stepmother staged their introduction. It appears she set him up with your father."The realization hit me like a wave, leaving me with more questions than answers. How deep did this secret web of connections go? And just how well did I truly know the
(The pregnancy)I sat in silence while Penelope paced back and forth, muttering to herself."Just tell him," she finally declared."Tell him what, Pen?" I asked."The truth. He's responsible, isn't he?" she replied."Yes, Simon is the father. But Penelope, he's been avoiding me," I reminded her."What exactly happened?" She sat down next to me, curious."He saw Gustavo kissing me and he lost it. He just started avoiding me. The way he looked at me, it felt like I had done something wrong. I felt guilty, even though we were just fulfilling each other's desires. I despised the hatred and disgust in his eyes whenever he looked at me," I managed to explain.“Why was he jealous” she asked “I know right, why was he jealous, he agreed on just being friends and nothing more” I managed to say “Well that's not important, this pregnancy is” Penelope simply added This was too much for me, a child at this moment in my life, how did I make such a mistake, I wasn't th
(contract marriage)A heavy silence filled the room as everyone's eyes widened in shock. Tiara, my stepmother, gasped audibly, her hand flying to her mouth.Gustavo looks away, his face masked with disgust and disappointment.My dad's face turned Ashen, his confusion slowly melting into anger. “What nonsense are you sprouting, Gemini” he growled, his voice dripping with disbelief and anger.“It's truth, Papa” I replied firmly, my voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at me from within. “I'm pregnant” Finally, my father broke the silence, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “How can this be, Gemini, we raised you better than this! I have given you everything, and this is how you repay me,?” Hot tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “Papa, please, listen. I didn't plan for all this to happen. It just did. I need your support now more than ever.” His face contorted with rage, and I saw the familiar fire
(The decision)(Simon pov)I couldn't help but think that she was joking. After all, this demand of hers had to be a prank in retaliation for my refusal. There was simply no way she could be pregnant. When did I make such a mistake?The thought that she might be desperate crossed my mind. I couldn't allow myself to fall for this. It had to be some kind of ploy. I decided to tease her, hoping to expose her prank."You must be joking, right? This is all because I turned down your proposal," I said with a smirk.But her response caught me off guard. She spoke with a seriousness that made me pause."Simon, have you forgotten so easily? Well, I suppose with the number of women you sleep with every day, it's no wonder. But we had sex in your office, unprotected. Do you remember that, or should I provide more details to jog your memory?" She looked at me intensely, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions.I gripped the table, realization sinking in. She was ri
(The promise) *•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•He suddenly felt remorseful, his anger dissipating as he realized the impact of his words.“I didn't mean that,” he said his voice filled with regret.But it was too late. The damage had been done. The words hang in the Air, a bitter reminder of the truth.Feeling a mixture of hurt and betrayal, I wiped away my tears and turned away from him. “Gemini” he called as he grabbed my hand I pulled away, “don't” I warned, stepping into the house.We sat at the dining table, eating our meal in silence, Simon's eyes were fixated on me, I could tell he was feeling guilty but that was none of my business “So you are a doctor” Grandma asked Simon, I could see the excitement in her eyes.“Yes, A cardiologist Ma’am” he answered Grandma's face lit up with a smile as she clapped her hand in joy. “Oh, how wonderful! A cardiologist! That is such an important and Noble profession. You must be proud. She said glancing at me briefly
(The slash funds) (Simon pov)The drive back home felt long as I pondered over the last 30 minutes that just happened. Lying to her about how I felt, I hated myself, I was scared, scared of the way she made me feel, scared of being vulnerable in the process I hurt her.I could see the hate in her eyes when I told her I couldn't love her, the pain, the disappointment. I never wanted to hurt her. But it felt like the only way to protect myself.The truth was, I did love her. I love her more than anything. But I couldn't bear the thought of opening up, of letting someone in so completely.The walls I have built around my heart seemed impenetrable, a shield to protect me from the pain that love inevitably brings.But in pushing her away, I had caused more pain than I ever imagined. The regret washed over me like a tidal wave, drowning me in sorrow and guilt. I replayed the moment over and over again in my mind, wishing I could turn back time and find the bravery, to be honest with her.
~SHADOWS AND SECRET ~Gustavo’s grip on Jerome’s collar tightened, his knuckles turning white. “I mean it, Jerome—stay the hell out of my business.”Jerome merely smirked, completely unfazed by Gustavo’s aggression. He was about to make a snide remark when a familiar voice interrupted them. “What the hell is going on here?”Both men turned to see Ciara standing at the entrance of the dimly lit hallway, her arms crossed over her chest. Jerome straightened his jacket and flashed her a sly smile. “Ah, Mrs. Saint, always a pleasure.” He dipped his head mockingly before brushing past Gustavo, leaving without another word. Ciara watched him go before turning her sharp glare to Gustavo. “What are you doing?” she hissed. “Do you have any idea how reckless you’re being? The last thing we need is unnecessary attention.”Gustavo exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “He’s a snake, Ciara. You shouldn’t trust him.”Ciara rolled her eyes. “And you think I don’t know that?” She ste
~AN ICON~The news of Victoria Greyson’s passing spread like wildfire through New York. It was a somber day for both the Saint and Greyson families. At her grandmother’s estate, Gemini sat motionless in the grand living room, her hands resting on her lap. People flowed in and out of the house, offering their condolences, but to her, their words felt hollow. "What did they really know about my grandmother?" she thought bitterly, her gaze distant. Her eyes followed her Uncle Brandon as he moved through the crowd, forcing himself to smile while shaking hands with guests. He was doing his best to be strong, but Gemini could see through it. His mother was gone. His sister—Gemini’s mother—had been taken from him years ago. And now, he was all alone. “Gemini, sweetheart,” Aunt Vivian spoke softly, placing a warm, concerned hand on Gemini’s back. “Why don’t you go upstairs and rest for a while?”Vivian watched her husband niece carefully. Gemini hadn’t spoken much since the guests s
~A HOUSE WITHOUT A SOUL~ The call came unexpectedly—just like the day my mother’s car crashed. "Gemini," my father had called. My eyes lifted from the strawberry cake I was holding. It was my mom’s favorite. "Your mother," he began, his voice cold as ever. The smile on my lips faded the moment he mentioned her name. "She isn’t coming home, sweetheart. She died in a car crash."He said it as if it were something an eighteen-year-old girl would want to hear. The cake slipped from my hands, crashing onto the floor. Tears streamed down my face. And just like that, my mother was taken from me. Now, here I was again, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white, trying to stay calm. "Please, please, just hold on until I get there," I whispered, biting my lower lip nervously. I shook my head, trying to push back the tears burning behind my eyes. "Please… Damn it!" I yelled, slamming my horn repeatedly as the car in front of me refused to move fast enough.
~DEAD PEOPLE STAY DEAD~Gemini carefully placed her belongings into the boxes in front of her. She had gotten them from the staff earlier, determined to move her things as quickly as possible. Staying in this house, under the same roof as her father, was no longer an option. Her gaze fell on a framed photo of her and her mother. A sudden thunderclap filled the air. “It’s raining,” she whispered, brushing her fingers over the glass. “Mom always loved the rain.” She exhaled softly, placing a hand on her stomach. Rising from where she sat, Gemini walked toward the open balcony, lifting her head to the darkened sky. The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made her shift her focus. Peering down, she watched as a sleek black car came to a stop. The door unlocked, and two figures stepped out, black umbrellas obscuring her view. Her brows furrowed. They were here to see her father. Quickly, she stepped back from the balcony before they could spot her and made her way to th
~YOU ARE MINE STILL~Gustavo made his way out of the kitchen toward the living room exit, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he spotted Gemini approaching. “Hey,” he called out, a fake smile plastered across his lips. Gemini’s brows furrowed in annoyance, but she forced herself to stay calm. Now was not the time to get upset. “You have a little…” Gustavo said, reaching out to brush a smudge of lipstick from the corner of her lips. She recoiled instantly, slapping his hand away as she glared at him. *Shameless bastard,* she thought, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. “No ‘thank you’?” he mused, feigning disappointment. “You’re getting ruder by the day, Gemini, and I don’t like it.” His tone was teasing, but the threat beneath it was unmistakable. “I wouldn’t be if you learned to keep your hands to yourself—especially off someone else’s wife,” she shot back, disgust evident in her voice. Gustavo chuckled, shaking his head. *Someone else’s wife.* It was funny. No ma
~GREEDY AMBITION~There was nothing more they could do but wait for Nanny Lauren to call, as Simon had suggested. Gemini walked him to his car. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay and help you pack?” he asked, concern obvious in his eyes as they flickered from her to the house. Gemini smiled, her hand gently holding his. “As much as I love your company, I know you’re a busy man. Don’t let me keep you,” she said, hoping it would convince him to leave. This was her family’s problem, and she was going to solve it herself. She would get to the root of everything. “I’ll be visiting my grandma. I heard her health has gotten worse.” Simon’s expression softened. “How are you coping with that?” Gemini had always been close to her grandmother, staying by her side ever since she was diagnosed. Now, she was losing another family member, and the thought terrified her. “Well… I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared as hell. But Uncle Brandon is still around—that’s a good sign.” She
~MINE ALONE~Gemini pulled away from Simon’s hold, her hands clenched into fists as she bit her lower lip until she tasted copper. “I won’t forgive any of you if anything happens to Nanny Lauren,” she said, her voice unwavering. “Especially you, Father.” She was done. Done with his tricks, his lies, his cruelty. She refused to break—especially not in front of them. “What a stupid brat,” Mr. Saint growled through gritted teeth. His cold eyes bore into his daughter. He should have disowned her long ago, but he couldn’t. Not now. Not when she was the key to everything Maya left behind. Those damn documents. He needed to get his hands on them—before Gemini did. “You never fail to disappoint me, Gemini,” he said, his tone dripping with hate. “It’s almost tragic that we’re related.” His gaze shifted toward the doorway. Gemini instinctively followed his eyes, and when they landed on him, her stomach twisted. Gustavo.That bastard.“I hope I’m not interrupting a family momen
~MORE THAN A MAID~Sunlight streamed into Gemini’s room as she slowly opened her eyes. She stared at the small bird chirping on the balcony, its tiny frame hopping along the railing. Last night’s conversation with Simon echoed in her mind. "A family," Gemini whispered, a soft smile curving her lips. Sitting upright, she let her hand rest on her belly, gently caressing it. She looked around the room—it felt familiar, comforting. She was back in her space. She sighed. Reaching for her phone, she noticed a missed call from Nanny Lauren. Frowning, she dialed the number back, pressing the phone to her ear. It rang. And rang. No answer. That was odd. Nanny Lauren always picked up her calls immediately. She tried again. Nothing. And then a third time. Still nothing. "Strange," Gemini murmured. She placed the phone back on her nightstand. *I’ll just see her at Dad’s place later when I go to get my things,* she decided before pushing the thought aside and getting out of b
~GETTING RID OF PROBLEMS~Nanny Lauren's face turned pale as she listened in on their conversation. Madam Ciara had been poisoning Sir Saint. She knew she couldn't stay there for long before someone caught her spying. She needed to inform Ma’am Gemini. *These people are devils. How could they?* she thought. “Why are you so surprised, Ciara?” Gustavo asked, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. “You think I don’t know about all your dirty dealings?” He took a slow, deliberate step toward Tiara, his eyes assessing her from head to toe. She was trembling—it was almost pathetic to watch. “How dare you threaten me with that?” Mrs. Ciara spat, her hands clenched into fists. “You think if I go down, you won’t go down with me? I know all about the funds you've been siphoning from Saint.” Gustavo smirked. He was impressed that she still had the guts to stand up to him. But he also knew she wouldn’t do anything with that information. “Should I be scared? Compared to me, you