Novel & Cerita His Promise Was Paper Thin

“It won’t happen, Sky. If it starts, I’ll leave.” My smile was sad as I looked at him. I didn’t believe him. Not after Catherine and Caleb. Not after Patricia and Andrew and Mr. Anderson. There were too many examples of people making promises that they didn’t understand and couldn’t keep. He seemed to catch my thought process in my silence, but didn’t say anything. If anything, he looked more determined. “You surpassed your brother by leaps and bounds, Sky. He couldn’t even last ten minutes with me and I was going easy.”

It was in this tranquility that we made a promise to each other—a promise to leave the past behind, to embrace the present, and to build a future rooted in trust, compassion, and unwavering devotion. As the stars began to twinkle in the evening sky, we shared our dreams, our aspirations for the life we would create together. We spoke of laughter and joy, of overcoming obstacles and celebrating victories, and of the family we hoped to build—one that would be bound not by blood, but by the unbreakable ties of love. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as we forged ahead, leaving the shadows of our past firmly behind us. We faced new challenges with a renewed sense of strength and res

He took the last sip from his glass. "Don't get your hopes up, servant. You'll only be my fake fiancée through a legally binding contract you'll sign as part of the deal," he stated with a firm and persuasive tone, his eyes searching hers intently. "As a reward, every now and then, I'll offer you a generous sum of money that you can use as you see fit."

He cups my cheek and traces his thumb across my lower lip. My heart melted from his words as I listened to his promises. All my doubts quickly faded away as I saw sincerity in his eyes. It didn’t matter how much work got thrown our way or what threat we got faced with next, we were in this together every step of the way and I believed him when he told me he would always prioritise time for us, as would I. “What’s the third promise?” I whispered, as tears of joy filled my eyes. Nate grinned before reaching into the pocket of his denim jeans.

I answered and tried to speak again but the second one cut me off before I could get another word out. “So, in other words, you're a lost hippie looking for a place to crash?” My lips thinned, and my palms folded beside me. I wanted to turn around and run, but it was still pouring outside, there was no way I was going to survive out there. “I promise I will do a good job.” I countered, but a scoff escaped his lips. “Promise? We don't do promises here.” His teeth gritted. “You have to earn everything here.”

Shining with an emotion I couldn’t name. Then he reached for my hand. Pressed a kiss against my knuckles. And finally said, “I promise.” I wanted to believe him. God help me, I wanted to. But something deep inside me whispered that promises were only as strong as the people making them. And for the first time in seven years… I wasn’t sure Damian believed his own. Hours later, Elena and Noah slept peacefully. But Damian remained awake. Sitting alone in the darkness. His phone illuminated his face. A single message glowed on the screen.

He pointed at the door and bellowed, "Fine. Get the hell out of my sight right now! Listen here, once you walk out that door, don't you dare call me your uncle! Let's see what you can make of yourself out there, you ungrateful wretch!" Looking at him, I realized how pathetic it all was. I had worked myself to the bone, put in countless hours of unpaid overtime, and gone five years without a single raise. Yet, now, just because he said he gave me an opportunity and that I was family, all my five years of hard work and sacrifices were just supposed to be expected of me? I spun around and left. Right then and there, it dawned on me that I should've left this place a long time ago.

"Once it's all over, I'll give you the prime territory as compensation. You've always loved the forest by Silvercrest, haven't you?" Compensation? He was grinding my dignity into the dirt and dressing it up as generosity. I only nodded. "Alright." Ryder shot me a look, unsettled by how calm I was, but said nothing more. He made for the door. "Wait for me to come back." He threw the words over his shoulder and left. As the door clicked shut, I slumped onto the couch. Wait for him? For what? So we could go through a meaningless bonding ceremony while he watched me die by inches?

"Oh my, young people really are something. They just radiate energy!" My father-in-law, Shawn Black, who had always scowled at me, was now smiling warmly. He glanced at me and said pointedly, "Finally, we've gotten rid of that useless piece of trash who took up space and contributed nothing. After all these years, and not a single child to show for it." Leonard lowered his head shyly, feigning modesty. "Mr. Black, please don't say that. I'm not much younger than Sebastian."

When he finally raised his eyes, they were wet. “If I let you do this,” he said, very low, “you must promise me one thing.” “Anything.” “You will not give your life for it. Whatever the price turns out to be, you will find another way. You will come back to me.” I stepped into his arms and held him as tightly as I could. “I promise,” I said. I did not tell him I did not know if I could keep it. Outside, a thin grey line had begun to show at the edge of the sky. The torches in the field flickered and guttered, one by one, waiting for the light.