The Secrets in Their Hearts

Smug

I gave Joan a smug look and rested my head against Gilbert's chest.

…

Once we left the club, he let me go unceremoniously, and I fell to the ground. That hurt my butt. The pain was swimming up my spine.

"Don't try anything like that again. Cheap tricks are just going to lower my opinion about you, and I already dislike you."

He then moved into his car and left me in the dust.

There was a reason I did not fight back. I was gambling on something, and I won that gamble.

Every time Joan and I went to our mom's place in our past lives, she wouldn't stop complaining about Gilbert. She called him a lot of names, even called him evil.

I got into contact with him multiple times, but he was nothing like the man Joan said he was. He just didn't want to waste his time on people he didn't like.

I got my wounds bandaged at a hospital and went back to my place beside the workshop.

…

My mom called the next day. The first thing she greeted me with was a roar. "You attacked your sister and her fiance? How dare you! You're nothing but trouble! You're useless!"

I massaged my forehead. Not the first time my mother called me a waste of space. Thanks to her, I learned how to do the whole family's laundry and cook for everyone when I was still in grade school. All I wanted was a smile, a fraction of her love.

The only thing I got was a bruised body.

"Was that enough venting, Mom? Because I'm hanging up."

That stopped her curses. She told me, "The Pearsons are giving your sister 1.5 million as her wedding gift. What about Gilbert?"

"No idea."

"What? You useless girl! You're not going to let him marry you for free! Ask him right now!"

I hung up. I had to take a deep breath, then I made my way to Gilbert's company. When I barged into his office, he, without even raising his head, asked, "You have five minutes, starting now."

"Two questions. First, a wedding gift. I prefer money. How much are you giving me? And second, what about the wedding?"

That got Gilbert's attention. He raised his head, and an icy smile curled his lips. "Same answer for both questions. I am giving you nothing."

No gifts or weddings. A reptile's blood was probably hotter than this man's. So I shrugged. "Fine."

I got up and was about to leave, but he stopped me, "You don't seem to be mad."

I shook my head like his answer didn't bother me. "I shouldn't have asked for those if I was going into a marriage without love."

"So, what are you trying to get from me?"

I answered honestly, "Status. I want them to call me your wife. And I want the benefits and partnerships your family's name can bring me."

"Very well. I can give you anything you want, long as it's not something useless like love."

For the next few days, I spent all my efforts on the partnership with his company. He sent a project manager called Ronald Zimmerman to work with me.

One night, when I was working overtime with Ronald to talk about the project, my mom and Joan came to my company.

Joan marched in with mockery. "Ah, getting another man just because you can't get Gilbert's love?" She clicked her tongue. "What a whore."

I knew why they were here, so I ignored her and talked to my mom. "We're not going to hold a wedding. And forget about the gifts. There will be none."

My mom raised her voice. "What? So I raised you all for nothing? I can't believe this! Why can't you be like your sister?"

Yelling wasn't enough to calm her anger. She slapped me as well. "You're nothing but useless! You wasted my money!"

Joan followed her mother's example and slapped me as well. She made sure to leave more than one mark on my face.