Chapter 180
Gabriel smiled gently at Desmond and crouched slightly so he was at the boy’s level.
“Little man,” he said softly, keeping his voice calm and friendly, “can I borrow your wristwatch for just a moment?”
His tone was warm and gentle, and it made Desmond relax even more. The boy trusted him without question.
“Yes,” Desmond replied happily. “You can have it if you want.”
He stretched his small arm forward without hesitation, offering the watch.
Gabriel felt something tighten in his chest. He gently brushed the boy’s hair with his fingers before carefully unbuckling the strap. As soon as the watch slipped off Desmond’s wrist, Gabriel straightened up.
Without saying another word, he turned and walked out of the room.
Stone followed immediately.
Isla froze in confusion. Her smile faded as she watched them leave so suddenly. She didn’t understand what was happening, but the tension in Gabriel’s body scared her.
Diana noticed her daughter’s expression, but she couldn’t explain anything. Not now. Not in front of the child. Shesimply forced a weak smile and stayed silent.
Desmond looked up at Isla innocently. “Uncle Gabriel will bring it back,” he said confidently.
ISla nodded slowly, though her heart was uneasy.
***
Inside the VIP lounge, Gabriel closed the door behind him.-The room was quiet, filled with soft lighting and the smell of coffee. A small glass table sat in the center.
Gabriel placed the wristwatch carefully into Stone’s hands.
Stone didn’t waste time.
He pulled out a tiny screwdriver-no bigger than a needle and placed the watch on the table. His movements were slow, precise, and well controlled. He unscrewed the tiny screws one after another, carefully setting them aside so none would be lost.
Gabriel watched closely, his jaw tight.
Then Stone opened the casing.
Gabriel’s breath caught immediately.
Inside the watch was a tiny camera, perfectly hidden. So small, so well placed, that only someone with special training would ever notice it.
Stone gently removed it and placed it into a clear plastic evidence bag, sealing it carefully. After that, he reassembled the watch exactly the way it was.
Gabriel ran a hand over his face.
“Your wife needs doubte protection now,” Stone said firmly.
“Then do it,” Gabriel replied immediately. “I don’t want any mistakes.”
Stone nodded. “You also need extra protection. This isn’t only about Mrs. Wyndham. This concerns you too.”
Gabriel’s eyes darkened.
“And sir,” Stone continued, “I am certain of one thing.
Whoever planted this device is working with Anna. She knows something. Maybe not everything-but enough.”
Gabriel nodded slowly. “I know.”
He exhaled deeply. “For now, let’s get my wife somewhere safe.”
***
That night, at Gabriel and Isla’s residence, the house was unusually quiet. Armed guards stood at every corner of the estate. Security cameras rotated softly, watching every angle.
It was already bedtime.Isla had just finished bathing. She wore a soft nightdress and sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair slowly.
Gabriel hadn’t come in yet.
Since they returned from the hospital, Desmond had stayed close to Gabriel. He was just too close, and Gabriel had given the boy more attention than Isla expected. He was patient with him, gentle and protective.
A strange feeling settled in Isla’s chest.
She stood up and walked down the long hallway toward the guest room they prepared for Desmond. She reached for the door handle-but before she could open it, the door opened from inside.
Gabriel stepped out and closed it quietly behind him.
He looked up and froze when he saw Isla standing there.
“I thought you had fallen asleep,” he said, stepping closer.
He wrapped an arm gently around her waist and pulled her toward him.
“I couldn’t sleep without you,” Isla whispered.
Gabriel chuckled softly. Without warning, he bent down and lifted her into his arms. Isla gasped lightly and wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her back into their bedroom.
He laid her gently on the bed, as if she were made of glass.
Isla giggled. “You know I’m pregnant, not sick,” she teased.He climbed into bed beside her and pulled her close. But Isla didn’t relax.
She stared at his face, searching his eyes.
She had questions. Many questions.
The sudden increase in armed guards and Stone’s constant presence.
Gabriel’s secret conversations with stone and Desmond’s wristwatch incident.
Everything felt wrong.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Gabriel asked quietly.
“Because I need answers,” Isla said. “You’ve been hiding things from me since the hospital.”
Gabriel smiled faintly. “I’m not hiding anything.”
He turned away slightly, facing the other side of the bed as if ready to sleep.
Isla sat up immediately.
“Then explain this,” she said firmly. “Explain why
Desmond looks so much like you.”
Gabriel stiffened.
“And don’t tell me it’s a coincidence,” she added. “Because I won’t accept that.”Gabriel turned sharply to face her, disbelief flashing across his face.
“What are you saying?” he asked.
“I’m saying I see it,” Isla replied. Her voice trembled, but she didn’t back down. “The same eyes. The same hair. The same expressions. Everyone sees it, Gabriel.”
Silence filled the room.
Gabriel swallowed hard.
“That boy is not my son,
” he said slowly. “I swear it.”
“Then why are you acting like he is?” Isla asked softly, tears gathering in her eyes. “Why are you protecting him like your life depends on it?”
Gabriel reached for her hand. “Because he is innocent.
Because he is in danger.”
“And what abput me?” Isla asked. “Am I not in danger too?”
Gabriel pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.
“You are my world,” he said firmly. “Everything I am doing is to protect you. And our child.”
Isla rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
“I just need you to trust me, Isla, if I am keeping anything from you, it’s not because Desmond is my child. It’sbecause I don’t want to trouble your mind. Because of the baby.”
But deep inside her heart, fear refused to leave. She trusted her husband. But fear is a natural thing. Any woman will think same way.
All she cling to now is hope and wishes.