Chapter 57The Donation.Gemini couldn’t believe her eyes. Was this some kind of sick joke? The news of Jerome's disappearance had rocked her just months ago, and now, here he was, standing alive and well in front of her. The fundraiser ceremony took on a life of its own as the MC stepped up to deliver his welcome speech, commanding the attention of the attendees with an enthusiastic grin. “Welcome to the 13th edition of our human rights fundraiser! We are thrilled to see so many familiar faces return to this esteemed organization!” he announced, his voice echoing through the crowd. Gemini’s gaze, however, remained locked on Jerome, who was smiling as if he hadn’t a care in the world.“He must be in a good mood for someone who just came back from the dead,” Simon quipped, throwing a glance at Jerome before redirecting his attention to Gustavo beside him.Gustavo’s heart raced as he processed the sight of Jerome. He fought to maintain his composure, though the revelation of Jerome’s
Chapter 58Old Friends & Foes.Gustavo leaned on the bar counter, twirling his drink in his hand as his eyes lingered on Jerome who had been smiling and making connections since the event ended.Why wasn't he leaving, Gustavo thought as he took a full sip of his drink.“Your friend seems to be enjoying himself,” Simon said as he approached Gustavo, planning to get on his nerves.“What do you mean by my friend Simon?” Gustavo asked in annoyance. Gustavo was very aware that Simon had been doing some digging concerning Sevan's holding.The reason he had invited Celine back to New York was so he could keep Simon and Gemini busy so that he could move on with his plan.Celine was of no use to him anymore, now he has to look for another way to get rid of Simon.“Jerome spine….you know Gustavo I heard interesting news that he was missing” Simon trailed in hoping to get off Gustsvo's skin and make his falter.“Well a missing man won't be here enjoying the night of his life” Gustavo answered ir
Chapter 59Wavering Allies.Ciara made her way towards Lilac with deliberate slowness, fully aware that she wasn’t ready to be ensnared in Gustavo's drama. It was high time she found a way to extricate herself from any alliance with him before his chaos swallowed her whole.Her plan to gradually poison Saint was progressing smoothly; everything was falling into place as long as he didn't interfere. She knew without a doubt that Gemini—the insufferable brat—needed to be dealt with soon.“Ehhmm,” she coughed, drawing Lilac's attention from the crowd of people she was engaged with. Lilac turned to face Ciara slowly, her brows arching slightly in curiosity.“Hello, Miss Sheinkaih. My name is Ciara Saint,” she introduced, forcing a smile as she extended her hand for a shake.Lilac hesitated for a moment, causing a flicker of embarrassment to wash over Ciara as her hand lingered in the air. She quickly glanced at Gemini, who shot her a scathing glare.“It’s nice to meet you,” Lilac finall
Chapter 60JEALOUSY.Gemini made her way toward Gustavo, who had been drinking heavily since the event began. It was obvious that something was bothering him.“Didn’t you drive here?” Gemini’s voice cut through Gustavo’s tension, causing him to focus on her. His green eyes, usually bright and sharp, now appeared dull.“Is that concern I sense in your voice?” he replied, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he studied her. When was her due date? Her stomach was so prominent, yet he hated that he still found her incredibly attractive.The dress she had chosen for the evening accentuated her baby bump beautifully; she looked slender and had been keeping in shape. Her golden-blonde hair fell straight and perfectly down her back, and her sea-blue eyes seemed to shimmer more than usual, deepening in color. Her fair skin glowed under the warm lights of the room.Gustavo couldn't shake off the bitterness he felt toward Simon for taking her away from him. This beauty standing before
Chapter 61To Protect You.Simon kept his eyes fixed on the road as he drove Gemini to his villa. He knew he wasn’t going to let her return to her father’s house—not after that confrontation. The nerve of that man.“Simon,” Gemini called out, but he didn’t respond, his jaw clenched in frustration. Was he angry at her? She hadn’t done anything wrong. “Are you angry with me?” she asked again, her voice tinged with confusion.Silence met her, and Simon continued to ignore her. He didn’t want to engage in an argument, not now, not when his temper was already flaring. “Seriously? You won’t even answer me?” she pressed, annoyance furrowing her brows.Finally, Simon arrived at his villa, parking the car in the garage. He stepped out and unlocked the door, gesturing for Gemini to follow. She hesitated for a moment, unsure, but eventually complied.As he walked ahead, she trailed behind, irritation bubbling inside her. Why had he brought her here instead of taking her back to her father’s hou
~HIDDEN TRUTH~Gustavo’s eyes shifted from the passing scenery to the rearview mirror. Saint was fuming with rage, his expression dark and unyielding. Gustavo didn’t know what he and Brandon had talked about, but it was clear it hadn’t been a friendly, lighthearted catch-up. Not that it mattered to him at the moment.His main focus was on obtaining those documents from Tiara. Those papers were crucial—they could set his plans into motion.The sting of Simon’s public humiliation still burned fresh in his mind. Simon would pay for that, Gustavo vowed silently.The imposing silhouette of the Saint mansion came into view, its grandeur doing little to calm Gustavo’s nerves. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus as the car pulled into the garage. The driver stepped out and made his way to Mrs. Ciara’s side of the vehicle, opening the door for her with practiced precision. Meanwhile, Gustavo unlocked the door for Mr. Saint, who stepped out with an air of icy authority. Gustavo
~No Going Back~Tiara hurried after her mother, desperate to stop her from doing something that could ruin her chances with Gustavo. She *couldn’t* lose him. She needed him—not just for herself, but for their unborn child. “Mom, please don’t do this,” Tiara pleaded, her footsteps quickening. “Stay out of this, Tiara. This is between me and that bastard,” Mrs. Ciara snapped, her voice sharp with anger. Her fury wasn’t just about Gustavo—it was about the insult of it all. He had come from nothing, a nobody from the slums, and now *he* dared to entangle himself with her daughter? Tiara was only nineteen. She had a future ahead of her. A future *far* beyond Gustavo. And yet, here she was, pregnant with his child. He would *regret* ever messing with her daughter. Mrs. Ciara stormed outside, her eyes immediately locking onto Gustavo as he was about to get into his car. Without hesitation, she called out to him. “Gustavo.” Her voice was cold, cutting through the air like a 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
~BEFORE THE FALL~Gustavo turned to the maid, his eyes scanning the house. It was too quiet. "Where is she?" he asked."She's in her room, sir," the maid replied."Then call her. Tell her I need to see her." The maid hesitated. That made Gustavo raise a brow. He was already having a shitty day. Saint had somehow returned to the company despite his failing health. The man was supposed to be dying.And now, someone was tailing him—digging into his life. Gustavo knew that had Simon's name written all over it. To top it off, Gemini was in Paris.He'd just found out from the men he hired to keep an eye on her. Ciara still hadn't delivered the files he asked for, and time was running out.He needed to get his hands on everything tied to Saint Tech before it was too late."Well, go fucking tell her again," Gustavo snapped. The maid flinched, clearly scared. "You know what? Fuck it."He stormed upstairs."Sir—sir, you can't go up there!" the maid called after him, but he brushed her off, h
~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.”