LOGINGIDEON
I couldn’t tear my eyes off her. She had only put on makeup and dressed elegantly, yet something about her seemed different. I almost couldn’t recognize her anymore.I snapped back to reality when they let out a low, teasing whistle. My jaw tightened as I finally looked away from her. I glared at them, making them avert their eyes and act clueless.“Let’s go,” I muttered, forcing my voice to come out cold.I turned my back on her and walked out of tANGEL As we ate, I kept my head down, quietly listening while they chatted.“How have you been, Amanda? I heard you have an upcoming series. Congratulations in advance; I’m sure it’ll top the ratings again,” George said, steering the conversation.“Thank you. We just finished filming it. It’s coming out in the next two months,” Amanda replied.“Who’s your co-star again? Jacob? James?” Mama guessed. “I heard you’re being linked to him… Are you two together?”Amanda shook her head, laughing softly. “Jaime, Auntie… And no, we’re not together. Those were all just false rumors. You know… fans creating stories to feed their delusions, as usual.”“Why are you still single? You’re beautiful and successful—it’s hard to believe you don’t have a boyfriend right now,” George teased.“That’s not my priority,” she said calmly.“Or maybe you’re waiting for someone? Right, Gideon?” Zenaida said, flicking her gaze toward him.
ANGEL I lost track of time as I stared at myself in the mirror. Unsatisfied with one outfit, I changed into another. Still, nothing seemed right.I let out a long, frustrated sigh as I studied myself again. Oddly, I felt tears threatening to spill—frustration clawing at me.It’s only a casual lunch at the house, but I want to look my best knowing Amanda will be present.I stood and walked toward the closet to pick out another outfit when someone spoke.“You’ve been trying on different clothes for an hour already. When are you actually going to decide? Watching you is making me dizzy,” Gideon said, clearly irritated.I glanced at him. He was sitting at his desk, eyes glued to his laptop.“Sorry,” I muttered, letting my shoulders slump as I returned to the vanity table.I pulled out the makeup I’d bought last week, along with my skincare products. I’d been practicing on my own, hoping that if I looked more like s
ANGEL Later that night, I sat quietly on the couch, sneaking glances at Gideon. He was on the bed, completely absorbed in his phone. I could hear the soft tapping of his fingers against the screen as he typed.Who was he talking to?Was it… Amanda?“Uh…” I cleared my throat. “Gideon…”He lifted his eyes to me, his expression unreadable. “What?” he asked flatly.“Can I ask you a favor?”His brows furrowed. “What?”I hesitated for a second before gathering my courage. “Since our anniversary is on the fifteenth… can you take the day off? Maybe we could go somewhere?” I suggested.His eyes narrowed slightly. The small spark of hope inside me flickered.“You’re asking me out on a date, aren’t you?” he said, his tone almost mocking.I bit my lower lip and nodded slowly. Everything was set, except for the couple's bracelet, which was yet to arrive.“I’m busy,” he said coldly. “I hav
ANGEL “Angel!” Gideon’s mom exclaimed.She immediately pulled me into a tight hug. I hugged her back, feeling comforted. Behind her was her husband, standing quietly and watching us. I smiled at him, and he gave a small smile in return.When she finally let go, her face radiated warmth. “I missed you, hija.”“I missed you too, Auntie,” I replied.Her smile shifted to a frown. “Hey, remember? I told you to call me ‘Mama,’ right?”I couldn’t help but chuckle. She always insisted that I call her “Mama,” but I still felt shy about it.“Okay, Mama.” “Perfect!” she clapped, clearly satisfied.I turned my attention to Gideon’s dad and offered a warm smile again.“Welcome back,” I said.“Thanks, Angel. My wife has been missing everyone in this house so much, especially you,” he replied kindly.Hearing that, a warmth bloomed inside me. The way Gideon’s parents treated me made it feel as though my own parents were beside me, welcoming me as their daughter.“How about me, Mom, Dad? Don’t you m
ANGEL I only had a few things, so moving them into his room didn’t take that much time. Gideon was still in the bathroom, which gave me a chance to look around. The room was painted in gray and white, and the furniture was simple and minimalist. A smile stretched across my lips. Finally, I got to be in the same room with him again. Throughout almost three years of marriage, this had barely happened once a year. I had to thank his parents for coming over.My eyes drifted to the bed. When would I be able to lie beside him like other couples? Would I ever be given a chance to hug and kiss him one day… or was that just a foolish dream of mine?“It’s okay,” I convinced myself. “At least we’re in the same room.”While waiting for Gideon to finish, I tidied up the couch. His parents were not here yet, but he told me to sleep here since they might arrive early in the morning.“You wanna take a shower?”I was startled by the sudden voice. Gideon was standing outside the bathroom, hands runni
GIDEONI went home earlier than usual after realizing I’d left some important files on my desk, never expecting what awaited me there.I sat in my car, meters away from the mansion’s towering gate. My eyes narrowed as I stared at Angel standing there, smiling widely as she raised her thumb at someone inside a car parked near the entrance. The windows were tinted, hiding whoever was inside.The car roared away, leaving her behind. Once it was out of sight, she turned and walked inside as if nothing had happened. Instead of following her in to get what I came for, I pulled out my phone and dialed someone’s number. I gave him the car’s plate number and ordered him to find out who owned it.Later that night, I got my answer.My grip tightened around my phone when the name was mentioned.Rowan Caldwell.My jaw clenched as questions flooded my mind. What did they do? Where did they go? Were they alone the entire time? Did she
ANGEL As the days passed, I forced myself to forget it. But no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn’t leave my mind. I would wake up in the middle of the night with my heart racing in fear and my body soaked in cold sweat.I had no one to confide in, and even if I did, I doubted
ANGEL “Finish your food so you can take your medicine,” Karen urged, holding the bowl closer to me.My head throbbed painfully. Even the slightest movement made my stomach churn. Fevers always hit me this badly, and I despised it.I forced down each bite, swallowing sl
ANGEL As soon as Sean and I were left alone, restlessness crept in. I wanted Gideon close to me; the unfamiliar faces around me were so overwhelming.“You good?” Sean asked.He looked me over, clearly assessing. I forced a smile and nodded.“Yeah.”Pe
GIDEONI hopped into the van, dropping my head back and closing my eyes. My chest rose and fell heavily, trying to contain the storm inside me. I loosened my tie as it suddenly felt tight and suffocating.Did she really have to introduce herself using her second name? Elowyn, hu







