Chapter 50

Isla’s steps were quick, almost restless, as she stormed down the hall. Her chest was stuffy, her breathing shallow. She needed to get away, to put as much distance as possible between herself and that suffocating drawing room.

Delphine’s pregnancy left an ache blooming in her chest. An ache that felt so painful she could hardly endure. But she refused to cry in front of them—Anna, Delphine, the rest of them. They wanted her broken. They wanted to see her fall apart. No, she would not give them that satisfaction. She would rather choke on her pain in

silence.

“Isla!” Gabriel’s voice rang out behind her. His footsteps quickened. “Love, wait p>

The desperation in his voice cracked and was louder now. It was strained with frustration.

Isla stopped at the entrance of the family sitting room, almost on her way outside. Slowly, she turned. Her eyes, which were heavy with unshed tears, met his. He froze. She looked wounded, deeply wounded, and he hated himself for being the cause of it. His chest tightened as guilt clawed at him.

“First things first,” she began, her trembling voice low but firm.

Before she could continue, footsteps approached. Landon and Anna entered the sitting room. Right behind them came Delphine, clinging to Sia’s arm like she belonged there.

Isla’s gaze hardened. Her throat burned as she forced the words out. “Don’t you ever call me that again. You’ve lost that right. Do you hear me, Gabriel? You’ve lost that right p>

Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard, but her eyes never left his face.

Gabriel’s hands clenched. His face was pale, his composure cracking. “Please, Isla… I was going to tell you. I never imagined my mother would bring this up in front of everyone. Believe me.” His voice wavered as he tried to defend himself.

She let out a bitter laugh, the sound loud and sharp. “Listen to yourself, Gabriel, you sound pathetic. A lie doesn’t suit you p>

Anna’s face twisted with rage. The audacity! How dare a girl like Isla, a nobody in her eyes, speak to her precious son that way? Delphine thought the same. But what stunned her most wasn’t Isla’s words. It was how Gabriel begged. It was his desperation as he begged. Could this be love? Could Gabriel truly be in love with Isla? The thought stabbed her with jealousy she could hardly hide.

Anna stepped forward. Her lips parted to interfere, but Landon caught her wrist firmly and pulled her back.” Mother,

,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “You’ve done enough damage. Stop meddling in their marriage.

Anna’s eyes widened. Shock flooded her face. For the first time, another child of hers had openly taken Isla’s

side.

Isla’s chest was heaving heavily. Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to speak. “Let me get this straight, Gabriel. Everything you did with me–the lovemaking, the sweet words, the promises to fix our marriage–was it all a lie?” Discover more novels at.net

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Gasps erupted. The maids who had been silently lingering slipped out of the room as quickly as they could, their heads bowed. None of them dared stay for what was unfolding. The tension rose higher, and no one breathed too loudly.

Gabriel’s eyes burned as he stepped forward. “You want the truth?” His voice rang with both pain and defiance. Then hear it, Isla. Everything we did the nights, the lovemaking, the promises–I meant all of it. Every single word. Every single touch. I didn’t lie when I said I wanted to fix us. To fix our marriage. I meant it, Isla. I meant. every damn word p>

Silence that followed his confession hung in the alt. Anna’s lips parted in disbelief. Delphine’s nails dug into her palms, her fury hidden only by the shock of what she had just heard.

Isla’s eyes widened. He had said those words in front of everyone–his mother, his brother, even Delphine. She didn’t know whether to believe him or to let her pain shut him out completely.

Gabriel stepped closer, reaching for her. But she lifted her hand steadily, halting him in his tracks. Her voice cracked, but her words were clear. “Don’t touch me with your filthy hands. From this moment on, stay away from me, Gabriel. I don’t trust you. Not anymore p>

Her words shocked everyone. But she didn’t care. She turned on her heel, her chin high, but not without sending a piercing glare at Delphine. Then she walked out, the door shutting behind her.

Gabriel stood frozen, his chest heaving. His eyes fell shut, and his jaw clenched as he tried to hold back the storm rising inside him.

Landon slipped his car keys from his pocket and left the room as well, unwilling to witness more.

Anna stepped forward, her voice trembling with fury. “Gabriel, you’ve disappointed me p>

His eyes snapped open. He tilted his head, green eyes dark with resentment. His voice was cold as steel.” Mother, let me give you some advice. Mind your business from now on. Stay out of my life. Stay out of my marriage.

He dragged his hand through his hair, pacing, his frustration boiling.

Just at that moment, Mr. and Mrs. Winthrope entered the room. Their faces, curious. Gabriel laughed bitterly immediately, his eyes fell on them. A sound that bothered everyone.

nointing at De

“I don’t know what promises you’ve made to them,” he spat, parents, “but let me make something very clear right now.” His voice echoed across the sitting room. “Isla is my wife. Nothing will change that p>

His eyes cut to Anna, blazing. “And you–what was it you said earlier? ‘Finally, justice‘? Giving my wife’s position to Delphine is what you call justice p>

Gabriel’s bitterness poured out. His voice shook with anger, but beneath it was something deeper. Something like love, desperation, the ache of a man who realized too late what he stood to lose.

“Well, listen carefully,” he finished, his voice ringing out and unyielding. “No one–no one–will speak rudely to my wife again. Whatever schemes you’ve plotted against her, stop them now, because I won’t stand still. I won’t forgive it. Be warned p>

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The room went silent. Not a word was spoken. Mouths hung open in shock.

Alfred, who just got there not too long ago, kept an unreasonable look together with John. Their expressions, giving away nothing.

And in that heavy silence, Gabriel stood, chest rising and falling, unafraid to fight.

Florence

Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.