The unexpected news (Gemini pov)I turned to stare at my grandmother, filled with worry and concern. Was she okay? Why was she talking as if she was going somewhere far?But just then, my thoughts were interrupted as Simon stood up to make a toast."Can I have everyone's attention, please?" he announced, holding his glass of champagne. It was clear that he was drunk. In a panic, I quickly pulled him back down to his seat.I could see the smirks on everyone's faces, except for my dad. They were enjoying my embarrassment."Will you stop drinking for once?" I whispered, leaning closer to Simon. "Or else, you're going to make it obvious that you don't want to be here.""Well, I don't, but that doesn't stop me from making a toast to my dearest wife," Simon slurred, standing up once again. "Sorry for that little drama. Now, where was I?"I folded my arms in protest, waiting for him to embarrass himself."First of all, thank you all for taking the time to grace
The secret Affair(Gemini pov)“What do you mean, she can't be discharged yet” I asked pacing back and front In my grandma's office. “Doctor, I just need the truth, what is going on” “Mrs Sinclair, I promise to inform you once the results come out today, trust me,” the doctor said at the other end of the line.“Please keep me updated and take care of my grandma” I replied begging as I ended the call.It has been five days since my Grandma got admitted into the hospital, the doctors kept running back and forth with different tests and no results, and I was getting impatient.I held my stomach as I felt a sharp pain in my lower abdomen, clenching onto the table I tried to walk back to my seat. I was overstressing myself and my baby I knew but I had no choice, ever since Grandma collapsed I had to take control of things in the gallery. I was already busy trying to get my mom assets from my stepmother.I just hired a private investigator to do some diggin
Chapter 34 (All because I love you) (Gustavo pov)I watched as Mrs. Ciara settled the bills at the station, frustration building within me as my car had been confiscated. I was asked to return later to retrieve it, but anger and rage consumed me.That wretched Simon was unbelievably lucky to have escaped my grasp. Fuming, I threw my jacket to the ground."Are you serious?" Mrs. Ciara exclaimed, her frustration evident. "What were you thinking, engaging in a car chase with Simon?""It's none of your business," I simply retorted.She scoffed, her tone laced with annoyance. "You should be grateful that I decided to come along. If Saint ever finds out about this, everything will be over. Maybe you should consider leaving Gemini alone."I glared at her, the thought of leaving Gemini never crossing my mind. She was mine from the very beginning, and who did Simon think he was? How dare he try to take what was rightfully mine!"Wher
Chapter 35 (The story untold) (Simon pov)It has been two days since she confessed her feelings for me, and I find myself unsure of how to respond. Should I have sent her a reply? These thoughts have been swirling in my mind, distracting me from my work at the New Heart Foundation.As I sat at my desk, Hailey came in with the documents I had requested. I thanked her and began reviewing them. My suspicions were confirmed - Gustavo was indeed up to no good.One name in particular caught my attention - Sevan Holding. I had heard of this company before, but I thought it had gone bankrupt. How was it still functioning?Curiosity piqued, I called Hailey back into the office. I asked her if we had received an offer from Sevan Holding, as I vaguely remembered. She confirmed my recollection, but I had instructed her to hold them off, deeming their offer suspicious.Curiosity getting the better of me, I asked her about the details o
Chapter 36 (The plan)(Gustavo’s Pov)I stared blankly at the ceiling, my heart still in pieces after Gemini shattered it just three days ago. The memory of her callous rejection weighed heavily on my mind.Tiara rolled over to face me, her hand gently caressing my bare chest. "What are you thinking about?" she asked, concern evident in her eyes.I brushed her hand off and sat upright. "You should get dressed and leave," I told her, trying to keep my tone firm.Tiara looked at me with confusion and hurt. "But my mom is still in Paris. I don't need to leave so soon," she pleaded."I'm a busy man, Tiara. And don't you have school? Senior year, right?" I responded, trying to sound reasonable. I walked to my wardrobe, grabbed my work clothes, and laid them out on the bed.She sighed and got out of bed, standing before me. I couldn't help but notice her young beauty, her vulnerability. I walked closer to her, gent
Chapter 37 (Sevan holding)(I years ago )(Gustavo’s POV)"Have you heard the news?" the lady asked the other lady sitting across from her in the cafeteria."What, are you getting married again?" the other teased, causing the first lady to roll her eyes."Sevan Holdings is going to be shut down," the first lady finally said.As I sat there, I couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation. Sevan Holdings... what were they talking about?I pulled out my phone and quickly searched for more information. Finally, I found it. Sevan Holdings had declared bankruptcy and was being forced to shut down. It was an investment company located in the heart of New York. How had I never heard of them before?"That's too bad," I muttered to myself, dropping my phone back onto the table. But my curiosity got the best of me, and I continued to listen in on their conversation."A friend of my husband's works there," the second
Chapter 38 (The visit)(Gemini’s Pov)I've been in Japan for two weeks now, thanks to Tracy and Penelope who decided to accompany me during my stay. Their presence has been a source of immense relief, as I was afraid I would lose my mind."Being pregnant is the worst," I sighed, voicing my frustrations as we sat at a sushi restaurant in Tokyo."Five months in, who's counting?" Penelope chimed in, taking a bite of the various sushi placed in front of us.I glanced over at Tracy, grateful that I convinced her to come along and help me handle the stress of running the gallery here. Thanks to my grandmother, my schedule has been even busier than when I was at Saint Global.The private investigator I hired to look into Sevan Holdings has come up with a dead end. It's the same story - it was bought by a foreign company, but no one knows who's in charge, and Jerome Spine seems to have vanished off the face of the
Chapter 39 (The Letter)(Gemini’s Pov)I made my way toward where my grandmother sat, quietly slipping into the seat beside her and pulling her into a tight hug. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably as I sobbed, unable to contain the overwhelming emotions that had consumed me."Language, young lady," my grandmother scolded gently, though her voice was filled with warmth and love."I'm sorry, Grandma," I managed between sobs. "I just... I don't know how you managed to make it to San Francisco. Did Uncle Brandon bring you here too?""Let's take things one at a time, Gemini," Grandma said, her voice soothing as she took my hand in hers and patted it softly.I looked into her eyes, filled with concern and pain, and then glanced over at Aunt Vivian, who seemed equally burdened with sadness. Desperately, I turned my gaze toward Jasper, hoping for some answers or comfort, but he ignored me completely."Where is Un
~A GIRL IN LAVENDER~Brandon didn't look back.He took another sip of his whiskey, the Amber liquid sliding down his throat with practiced ease.The voice behind him didn't speak again…didnt need to. It was enough that it had spoken at all.That it was her voice.His grip tightened on the glass, and he finally turned his head slightly, just enough to catch the shadow shift near the old staircase.There was nothing there now—only darkness and the soft ticking of the antique clock above the mantle.FLASHBACK : (THE DAY OF MAYA INCIDENT) SAN FRANCISCO: The rain had been relentless that night. Thick fog clung to the hillside roads like breath on cold glass, and the Pacific winds howled in protest as the luxury sedan swerved along the coastal edge.Inside, Maya gripped the steering wheel harder, her heart pounding. She was never supposed to find the documents. But she had.And now she was being hunted for them.She glanced at the sealed manila envelope on the passenger seat, her handwrit
~THE SECRET OF RUE DE LILA (2)~Gemini sat in the passenger seat of the car Simon had rented, the ride was quite. The car engine hummed softly beneath us, gliding past narrowed streets lined with old stone building and the golden tint of morning sunlight spilling through the trees.Gemini hand gently rested in her baby bump. She rubbed it absentmindedly in small, slow circle, her thought elsewhere.Vita was with her nanny and Penelope and Benson decided to spend the rest of the day exploring. They knew whatever Gemini came to Paris for she wanted to do it alone.And they respected her decision.Her bump has grew fuller…now, heavier.Simon glance over to her from the driver’s seat, his hand shifting from the wheel to rest over hers. She didn’t flinch, didn’t look away from the window where she stared at the soft, rolling hills beyond the edge of the city.“You’re quiet,” Simon said gently, his voice cutting through the silence like warm butter. “Is it the place?”Gemini turned to him,
~THE SECRET OF RUE DE LILA (1)~ The morning had started better than Gemini expected. Simon had prepared a full breakfast feast, and she stood in the elegant dining section of the suite he’d privately booked for them. “What did he say we were having again?” Benson leaned over to whisper in Gemini’s ear. She smiled softly, her gaze drifting over the beautifully arranged table. She always knew Simon could be a bit over the top, but this? This was something out of a movie. Vita tugged gently at Gemini’s hand, pulling her attention to the three-year-old standing beside her with wide, excited eyes. “Daddy’s here,” Vita said happily. That’s right—she had been fast asleep when Simon arrived last night. “Yes, sweetheart,” Gemini replied with a giggle, brushing a curl from Vita’s forehead. “Daddy’s here, and he’s doing the usual Simon Sinclair thing.” “I’m officially jealous,” Penelope chimed in, nudging Gemini’s shoulder playfully, making her laugh. “A romantic breakfast in the city
~A CITY OF ART~Gemini didn’t hesitate. The moment Simon uttered those words “You need to get out of there”—she was already packing. She didn’t need an explanation. She trusted Simon. By the time the clean-up crew arrived, she was already handing the keys to them with strict instructions to finish by the morning.Penelope and Benson had watched her with matching expressions of concern. Benson, being Benson, had tried to keep the mood light. “You know, Gem,” he said as they walked into the lobby of the luxurious hotel she had booked at the last minute. “For someone who claims to want a quiet life, your life is pure telenovela material.” Gemini forced a smile as she handed her credit card to the receptionist. “I’d say it’s more of a psychological thriller at this point.” Penelope crossed her arms. “Gem, are you okay? You barely said a word in the cab.” “I’m fine,” Gemini lied, forcing another fake smile.”Benson squinted. “That was the fakest smile I’ve ever seen.” She g
~A TRIP TO PARIS~The moment their plane touched down in Paris, Gemini felt a strange mix of excitement and unease settle in her chest. The last time she had been here, she was a child—clutching her mother’s hand as they walked through the streets, listening to her talk about dreams, art, and love.Now, she was returning with a mission.Benson stretched as they stepped into the arrivals terminal, adjusting his oversized sunglasses. “Ah, Paris. The city of love, croissants, and my future sugar daddy.” Penelope rolled her eyes. “We’ve been here for five minutes.” “I like to manifest.” Gemini chuckled but quickly turned serious as she pulled out the letter again, her eyes scanning the familiar handwriting.It had to be her mother’s. And there was only one place that could hold the answers she needed—her mother’s house in Paris.A sleek black car was already waiting for them, arranged by Simon, of course.“Tell me, Gem, how rich are you now?” Benson teased as he slid into the back
~A CRUEL CONFESSION~It wouldn’t look good if I didn’t visit Tiara. I had enough on my plate already—keeping an eye on Jerome, who was hell-bent on becoming a problem, and now Simon, who was digging into things that were none of his damn business. Simon needed to be dealt with—soon.As I stepped into the hospital hallway, my sharp gaze swept over the doctors and nurses bustling past me. I exhaled, rolling my shoulders before stopping in front of Tiara’s room. Just as I reached for the door handle, a nurse appeared, blocking my way. “Excuse me, sir,” she said, adjusting the noteboard in her arms. “May I ask who you are?” I turned to her, flashing my most charming smile. The blush that crept up her neck told me it worked. “A close friend of the patient,” I said smoothly. She hesitated, biting her lip. “That’s nice, but I’m afraid she’s not accepting visitors—strict orders from her mother.” Ciara. That insufferable woman. Did she know I’d come?I sighed dramatically, tilti
~MORNING DESIRE~Gemini sat quietly in the garden, her gaze locked on the mysterious key resting in her palm. She studied it intently, as if willing it to reveal its secrets. A deep, familiar voice broke her thoughts. “If you stare at it any longer, it might explode,” Simon teased from behind her, his arms wrapped securely around her shoulders. A small smile played on Gemini’s lips as she reached up, gently caressing his hand. She tilted her head slightly, an unspoken invitation. Simon understood immediately, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips before pulling back. “Aren’t you busy today?” she asked, her voice light but curious. Simon smirked and moved to sit beside her. He was supposed to be in the office, but his plans had shifted after receiving a call from Lilac Sheinkaih.She had requested a meeting today—one he wasn’t about to miss. If she had answers that could help Gemini, he would be there in a heartbeat.“Well,” he said, stretching out his legs, “I have an
SHATTERED BONDSCiara gently took Tiara’s frail hand in hers, her thumb brushing soothing circles over the cold skin. Her daughter had barely spoken since she was admitted, the weight of her loss pressing down on her like a suffocating fog.“Tiara, sweetheart,” Ciara murmured, her voice soft, almost pleading. “Won’t you say something to Mommy?”She reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Tiara’s ear, but the girl didn’t react. She simply sat there—silent, hollow, a ghost of herself.Tiara was wasting away before her eyes, refusing to eat, refusing to acknowledge the world around her. And yet, Ciara couldn’t bring herself to grieve for the baby her daughter had lost.Not when she believed it was for the best.Sighing, she laced her fingers with Tiara’s. “I know this is hard,” she said, her voice carrying that practiced gentleness, the kind that hid the sharp edge of her true thoughts. “But as much as I hate to see you like this, I think… in some ways, it was for the best.”
~DINNER & SEX~The sun had just dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the sky as Simon pulled into the driveway of their cozy home. Gemini, her hand resting gently on her burgeoning baby bump, smiled softly at him. She had been tired lately, her body changing in ways she was still getting used to, but Simon’s quiet attentiveness had been her anchor. Tonight, though, there was something different in his eyes—a spark of excitement she hadn’t seen in weeks. “You are going to love the surprise I have for you,” he said, his voice low and teasing as he helped her out of the car. Her curiosity piqued, but she didn’t press him. Simon had always been the romantic one, the planner, the dreamer. She trusted him to make tonight special.Inside, the house was bathed in the soft, flickering light of candles. Dozens of them, scattered across the living room and dining area, their flames dancing like tiny stars. The air smelled of lavender and vanilla, a scent she associat