(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.
(MINE)(Gustavo pov)Her hand connected with my cheek, the force of the slap echoing through the room. I could feel the anger, the hatred radiating from her stare. It infuriated me to see her look at me this way.If only she understood the depth of my love for her and the lengths I would go to ensure her father's company remained in capable hands.I had worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much to build my reputation and secure this position. I couldn't simply stand by and let some entitled, spoiled brat come in and ruin everything I had worked so hard for."You want Saint Global to continue to thrive, and I want to protect it from destruction," I tried to reason with her."What the hell are you talking about? Protect the company? Is sleeping with my stepmother part of that plan as well?" Her voice dripped with contempt and mistrust.As for her stepmother, Gemini, she was merely a pawn in this game. I didn't love her; I was merely biding my tim
(The Gathering)(Gemini pov)Simon and I entered the room. I felt a strange mix of emotions as I tried to follow his plan to act in love. I mustered a smile as his gaze met mine.Sitting in the family room adjacent to the kitchen, my stepmother's eyes emitted pure hatred. She scanned the room, her grip on a glass of champagne tight.Suddenly, her gaze landed on Simon beside me, and her eyes widened in surprise."Wow," she exclaimed, capturing the attention of everyone in the room. All eyes turned to me and Simon, who stood closely intertwined, observing each person in the room.The expression on my dad's face was the most stunned of all, his eyes fixated sharply on Simon. Clearing his throat, Simon began speaking."Hello, and good evening," he announced confidently. "I am Simon Sinclair, Gemini's fiance."Aunt Becky coughed abruptly, nearly choking on the champagne she held in her hand. Her husband quickly came to her aid, gently patting her back to ease
A future together (Gemini pov)I watched with a mix of amusement and pride as Simon clutched my hand tightly, his grip unyielding even as I tried to break free. The contract marriage we had entered into seemed to complicate even the simplest of conversations.Desperately, I leaned in and whispered, "You can release my hands now, you know." My voice was laden with a hint of frustration.His reply came in a deep, husky tone, filled with determination. "No, love. I need to play my part perfectly."I stared at him in disbelief, my eyebrows furrowing as Gustavo abruptly materialized before me. Hatred burned in his eyes, his presence casting a dark shadow over the situation."May I borrow her, please?" Gustavo's attention shifted from me to Simon.Simon stood unwavering, his response laced with defiance. "If you have something to say, say it in front of me."The tension in the air was palpable, and I slowly wrested my hands from Simon's grasp, turning to fa
(Terms and conditions)(Simon pov) I sat there, my body weary and my mind spinning, the weight of the operating room still clinging to my consciousness. Five grueling hours of surgery, followed by two back-to-back business meetings had left me utterly drained. But as I gazed at the paper in front of me, I knew there was something far more exhausting awaiting me.Summoning every ounce of courage, I finally mustered the words, "What happened to us creating a future together?" My eyes remained fixed on the paper, afraid to meet her gaze.Her response was laced with a deceptive sweetness. "Oh, darling, we will build a future together. A future that's secure and guaranteed," she reassured me. Slowly, I lifted my head, raising an eyebrow as I looked into her eyes, searching for honesty.Curiosity gnawed at me, and I couldn't help but ask, "So, what exactly are these terms and conditions you're so desperate to enforce?" I leaned back in my seat, trying to regain
(A Little Family Drama)(Gemini pov)I had my doubts when he suggested eating outside, but it was Simon after all - sweet and unpredictable.Sitting in the dining hall, my eyes scanned the faces at the table, searching for something."What in the world?" I leaned in and whispered in his ear.My dad, stepmother, grandma, and Tiara all stared at me, as I plastered on a smile filled with both hatred and nervousness."I'm so grateful you could join us, George," Mr. Sinclair, Simon's father, said with a friendly smile directed towards my dad."I couldn't possibly decline the opportunity to have lunch with my in-laws," my dad replied, a fake smile appearing on his face.My dad was never supportive of my marriage to Simon. Despite Simon's success, my dad believed that Prince Abdul, with his immense fortune in Dubai, was the perfect husband for me and a necessary partner for Saint Global Tech.I could see my dad getting increasingly angry, knowing that I wasn't just
Yes I do (Gemini pov)“Okay, okay, you have to breathe Gemini,” Penelope said Ten minutes remaining before I walked down the aisle, I was nervous, tho, it was just a contract marriage, and I was nervous as hell. “Am breathing, am breathing” I said to Penelope, who was my maid of honor. “I just need my mom's necklace, where is it, I left it on the table” I added “Calm down, I kept it away for Safekeeping, let me get it” Penelope assured meShe came back empty-handed. “Where is it?” I asked “I vividly remember keeping it in the guest room, I can't find it there,” Penelope said I stared at her lost for words, “Penelope this can't be me, I need that necklace, I don't think I can do this, I don't think I can go through with this marriage.” “Are you for real, you want to end this marriage with Simon, who you are clearly head over heels for because of a necklace you got from your grandma this morning?” Penelope asked in disbelief “You don't get i
~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