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.

Avenged

"You're an embarrassment to Mom! This is for her!" Joan said.

A wave of injustice fell over me, and my tears wouldn't stop coming.

Right then, an icy, biting voice said, "Stop right now!"

Gilbert came into my company still wearing black, and he stood as a wall between me and the women.

My mom put on a simpering expression. "Ah, you're here, Gilbert."

Joan gnashed her teeth. She hissed, "You're going to defend that bitch? No way."

Gilbert arched an eyebrow. "Of course I'm going to defend her."

I covered my cheek, and a smile curved my lips. Once again, my gamble was fruitful. I noticed Ronald texting someone while my mother was scolding me, and I knew it was for Gilbert.

My mother chuckled awkwardly. "I mean, the Pearsons gave me 1.5 million, but you're giving me nothing, so…"

Gilbert retorted, "You make your daughters sound like merchandise instead of living humans."

My mother had no answer for that, so she grabbed Joan and scurried off.

…

After they were out of sight, Gilbert asked, "Want payback? I can do it for you."

That was a good offer, so I nodded. After that, we put the episode behind us and got back to the project.

To my surprise, he joined every single meeting about the project. Sometimes, we could even have a discussion.

I liked this way of getting along with him.

Soon, it was Joan and Jonathan's wedding. Gilbert attended the ceremony with me. The first part of the wedding went well enough, but the problem started during the ring exchange.

Jonathan took the ring off one of the bridesmaids and presented it to Joan. Joan's fury burned her head, and she slapped the bridesmaid across the face.

Jonathan held the woman in his embrace protectively. "What's wrong with you? She just wanted to try it out! What the hell are you doing?"

Joan's eyes went red. "I can handle your hobbies, but this is our wedding! Our wedding, and you let some other woman wear my wedding ring? I'm your wife, not her!"

He slammed his foot into Joan's belly and sent her toppling to the ground. "Don't push your luck. If you don't like how I do things, don't marry me."

He was going to hit her again, but my mother jumped in and stopped him. "Hey, you can't hit my daughter!"

I snorted. "If you're going to cut the wedding short, you're giving the gift back, Mom."

My mother's face froze up. She clenched her teeth and slapped Joan instead. "Unbelievable! You're ruining your big day! Apologize to your husband right now!"

Gilbert held my hand, and we both ascended the stage. "You'd hit your own daughter over 1.5 million. Well, then I offer double, but I want you to never touch Katherine again. Deal?"

My mother's eyes lit up, and she nodded profusely. Happy with the answer, Gilbert descended the stage, holding my hand. "Ah, of course, the money is only for Katherine. You're not touching any of it."

That hit Joan hard. She had a mental breakdown and roared like something that was between human and animal.

Gilbert and I left the hall.

"That's the revenge done. Now, tell me about Gillian."