The Broken Vows (The Windsors, #4)

by Catharina Maura

There aren’t many people who I genuinely hate with every fiber of my being — in fact, my list is comprised of only one name: Zane Windsor.

Lol. Starting off strong.

Sometimes I wonder, would my grandfather’s endless comparisons hurt less if they didn’t result in him finding me lacking every single time? Would my hatred for Zane have evolved into what it is had it not been fueled by Grandpa’s expectations?

And just like that, my hopes for a healthy family are shoved out the window. 🥴

Perhaps that’s what it started as, back at kindergarten — mere childish rivalry, a natural result of the feud between our families.

Damn. Not yall been feuding since childhood.

“But he did choose you as his heir, so let his actions speak louder than his words, okay? He wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t have faith in you.”

Yeah. That’s gotta count for something right ?

Grandpa only chose me as his successor because my brother, Archer, refused to bend to his will.

Oooh. Well good for Archer.

If Archer hadn’t left home, refusing to set foot in the same house as our grandfather, I’d never have been given any responsibility at all.

Quick question, where are your parents ?

ready. Lil, this is the same guy that stole the first ‘F’ I got in algebra so he could frame it alongside his ‘A+’ before sending photos of it to the entire school.

😂😂😂 petty.

He teased me every day for two years when I had braces, and he’s taken every single opportunity to humiliate me and tear me down,

Little shit was her bully.Ahh, he had a crush on her. 😂🫶🏽

Every thought fades away until there’s nothing left but her — my Celestial. She’s back. Finally.

Awww, I like that he calls her that. Cute. 🫶🏽

How long was she away? Three years?” 5 years, two months, and twelve days, actually. “Fuck if I know,” I mutter.

😂♥️ ohh this is cuteee.

“What is she doing?” Val asks. I follow her line of vision to find Celeste slyly checking the brand of our crystal glasses, and I bite back a smile.

😂😂lol. It’s her first try at espionage. Give her a moment

I try my hardest not to smile as I take her glass away and hand it to one of our servers. “I don’t trust you with this. You look like you were about to steal it.”

😂 he trying it already.

“Do I look like some kind of petty thief to you?” “No, Celeste,” I tell her, my heart racing. “You look fucking breathtaking tonight.”

🤭oop-… you are something else.

“Did you forget how to dance? You were so good at it on prom night.”

Awww, did they go to prom together ?

Tommy, who’s had a crush on her all our lives, is not allowed anywhere near any of my hotels — but she doesn’t need to know that.

Lmaaoo, you sly fox.

“What?” She hastily places her hand in mine as her gaze darts around us. I nod solemnly as I pull her into a dance. “I’ll shield you, but you’ll owe me one.”

Oh he’s good. 😂

“Girlfriends, hmm?” I repeat, a hint of anger manifesting in my voice. “And here I thought you knew me better than anyone else, Celeste. I’ve never called anyone mine.”

Oop- well well Zane

One of her hands slips down to my chest, and I glance at her yellow nails. “What is it called?” I ask without thinking, involuntarily revealing my obsession with her.

Oh wait, now the cover is starting to make sense.. what’s her thing with nail polish ?

Pure disbelief flickers through her gorgeous eyes, and fuck if the way she looks at me doesn’t make my cock twitch. “H-how do you know about that?”

What is it ? A teller ? Do you switch your nail polish to tell your moods or something ?

My lips brush against her ear as I lean in. “I’ve watched you for years, Celeste. How could I not know?”

Omggg🤭. I love a good bully romance where he’s basically just learning, watching, and waiting. Secretly wanting. Cutteee🫶🏽

Celeste bites her lip for a moment, and then she smiles. “I Just Can’t Cope Acabana.”

Interesting..I think she does tie the nail polish names to her moods.

I burst out laughing, drawing curious glances from those around us, and she grins back at me. “You can’t cope, huh? With what? Being back? Seeing me?”

He really said he’s gonna shoot his shot huh.. wow.

“My world doesn’t revolve around you, Zane.” “Is that why I caught you trying to steal one of my champagne glasses? Because you weren’t at all interested in the way I run this hotel?”

Lmaooo, he is not gonna let her live that down huh.

“I was not trying to steal anything!” “I’ll let it go if you admit one thing. Admit that you missed me.” Celeste rolls her eyes,

Lmaooo. Oh hold on. Not missed you. Why would she ?

“Unlike you, I don’t make a habit of lying, and that’s exactly what I’d be doing if I said that I missed you, Zane.” She glares at me,

Lol, right. Didn’t you bully her for years ? Come better than that Zane.

“Because I missed you, my beautiful Celestial. I missed that soft huff that escapes your lips when I annoy you, the way your eyes flash when I outdo you, the way you challenge me to do better.”

🤭 teehee. Ok. That’s cute. But let’s start with I’m sorry for tormenting you throughout life.

I smile, my heart pounding wildly. “That’s not what you said when you came all over my fingers on prom night, my sweet goddess.”

🥴.. OOP-. No, wait a minuteeeee. Celesteeeee, girl.. I was rooting for you. 😂. But now, oh sweetie.. you halfway there, you might as well go all the way.

“That was a mistake,” she snaps, taking a step away from me, her eyes flashing with shame and anger. “It’s one I’ll never repeat, Zane. Not even in my worst nightmares.”

Mhmmm, you keep telling yourself that girlie. 😂

It hurts to know she regrets the one night that meant everything to me. Nonetheless, I smile, the way she expects of me.

Awww. Welp. 🤷🏽‍♀️.. you know… women.

“I’ll remember those words fondly the next time I’m pushing my cock deep into you, Celeste. When I’ve got you on the brink of an orgasm, my name on your lips,

🥴. Hold ooonnn, let him cook. Zane, not you got me smilingggg. 🤭

I’ll make you eat those words before I make you beg for more. And you will. You’ll beg, just like you did that night.”

😮‍💨 whew. Well alrighty then.

She’s right to say we’re playing a game, the way we always have. What my beautiful Celestial hasn’t quite figured out is that this time, I’m playing for keeps.

Oooooo. 👀🫶🏽 okaayyy.

For years, you’ve come second to Zane Windsor, and the gap between you two only increases with time, just like the gap between our companies.

Rude ! I don’t see you putting in any work grandpa !? Tf ❗️💁🏽‍♀️

She seemed discouraged, and the way she looked at me reminded me of all the times I inadvertently hurt her in my quest to gain her attention in high school.

Lol. Of course.

If I told her I was just as surprised to learn of her involvement, would she believe me? I’m not sure, but I’ll be damned if I let this drive a wedge between us.

Theres already a wedge between you. Lol.

I’m already halfway down the stairs. I’ve waited years for a shot with her — I won’t wait another second, won’t let my own dumb behavior come between us the way it used to.

Mans said years. Aaaww

“Something else is bothering you. I can tell by the way you raise your left brow, and the way your pupils dilate just a little. It somehow turns your beautiful eyes a shade darker.

Not he studied you that hard ..

“I’m sorry, Celeste. Truly. Being young is no excuse — I often took our rivalry too far, but that doesn’t mean I never appreciated your intellect. No one has ever been able to challenge me the way you do,

Ok. Good. We got an apology.

I’ve been looking forward to since you left. I just thought you’d feel the same way. After that night, I thought…”

Here he go bringing up prom night again. Lol.

Her lips part, and her face flushes beautifully. She’s so fucking stunning, it’s insane. “I thought we agreed we’d forget it happened,”

Oop- 😂 Sis said, I have no recollection.

“I don’t recall agreeing to that particular demand of yours, my sweet Celestial. How could I possibly forget my first time⁠—”

Awww, you were each other’s firsssstttt. 🥹🤭

I cup the back of my neck and look away as heat rushes to my face. I hadn’t meant to let that slip, but as always, she makes me feel fucking unhinged, out of control.

Aaawww♥️

“You… you were a virgin too?” she whispers, pure shock transforming her face. “Wasn’t that obvious? You were my first, and you ruined me for everyone else.”

🤭♥️ awww.

I bite my lip as I think back to the first time she told me about her mother, and how she was brutally murdered by her boyfriend because she’d tried to leave him to give her marriage another chance.

Oh no. Thats sad.

I just… I wanted to have it. I just wanted to make my mother’s wish come true, even though she isn’t around to see it. This place holds a lot of memories, and the thought of it falling into ruins just… I couldn’t take it.”

Aaaaawwwww

You only know the worst parts of me, because that’s all I’ve ever shown you.” He tears his gaze away and shakes his head, helplessness marring his handsome face.

Good. He knows that.

“I’ll walk away from this acquisition if it’ll make you give me a chance.” I stare at him, unable to figure him out.

Wooow. A man on a mission.

so I could watch her snicker to herself when my name popped up on her screen, thinking herself so clever for saving me in her contacts as In-Zane.

In Zane? Like Insane ? Ooooh. That’s kinda funny. Lol.

What would she say if I admit I spent all week perfecting that dish, simply because I know it’s her favorite?

Aaawww. If he wants to he will ladies.

“This is delicious,” she murmurs after taking a sip of the Moscato I selected. I grin as I try my luck and entwine our fingers.

Yeessss. I love moscato.