Chapter 237
“Grandma! Grandma!”
Elara ran toward Diana the moment she climbed down from the van.
Diana laughed loudly, her face lighting up with excitement. She hadn’t been expecting them at all. There was no call, no message, no notice of their visit.
Elara wrapped her small arms tightly around Diana’s waist, resting her head against her stomach like a child will do, enjoying the comfort that came with it.
This is her favourite grandma.
One by one, the rest of the family stepped out of the van.
Gabriel walked up to Charles and shook his hand. They exchanged warm greetings, speaking briefly as men often did.
Sabastian greeted Charles next, he was polite and cheerful. After him, Aurelian stepped forward and shook Charles’s hand respectfully.
Isla hugged her father tightly before greeting him.
Elara, however, refused to let go of Diana. The little girl loves her grandma so much.
Still, Aurelian found a way to greet her. He stepped closer and allowed Diana to hug him as well.Diana was the only woman-perhaps the only person—
Aurelian would allow to hug him freely. And every time it happened, it still surprised Isla.
Soon, everyone settled inside the house.
The children moved around excitedly, playing and laughing together, filling the house with life. Meanwhile, Gabriel and Isla sat with her parents, chatting calmly.
“Our wedding anniversary is coming next week,” Isla announced.
“Congratulations to you both,” Charles said warmly.
Diana smiled. “So, how do you want to celebrate it this -year?”
Isla turned to Gabriel and smiled softly.
The truth was, she hadn’t decided yet. She was still thinking about it when Gabriel suddenly spoke.
“I was thinking,” he said calmly, “can the kids stay here with you for one week?”
Isla’s eyes widened.
Charles and Diana exchanged surprised looks.
“I mean,” Gabriel continued, “it would be nice if Jeff and Maya’s son could join them too, so they can all enjoy their time together. I’ll send their chef and maids as well, so you won’t have to worry about anything.””Gabriel, what are you saying?” Isla asked, looking confused.
But Gabriel didn’t answer her immediately.
“My grandchildren are very welcome,” Diana said with a proud smile. “It will be an honer to have the future of the Wyndham family in my house.”
“Yes,” Charles added happily. “I’m very glad you chose us to take care of the children.”
Isla was still surprised. She couldn’t understand why.
Gabriel wanted the children to stay behind.
“Thank you, Charles. Thank you, Diana,” Gabriel said sincerely. “You’ve just solved a big problem for me.”
“Gabriel,” Isla adjusted her seat and turned fully toward him. “What are you doing?”
Gabriel smiled, his eyes full of mischief and love.
“I’m planning our anniversary, my love,” he said softly. “I have a one-week trip surprise for you.”
“Oh my God,” Isla gasped, her eyes widening. “You’ve been planning things without telling me.”
She pointed a finger at him.
Charles and Diana burst into laughter at the scene.
Quietly, they stood up and left the sitting room, giving the couple some privacy.The house was filled with warmth, laughter, and the promise of love that had already survived every obstacle that came their way.
Charles and Diana decided to go to the backyard and join the children there.
“You still haven’t told me where you’re taking me, Gabriel.”
Isla complained as she followed behind him, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
Gabriel had just returned from the office and taken a quick bath. His hair was still slightly damp, and the scent of his soap filled the room. Yet, despite how calm he Looked, Isla was anything but calm.
Ever since they returned from her parents’ house three days ago, Gabriel had refused to tell her anything about their trip.
Earlier that day, Isla had been in a long meeting with new investors. Even while discussing contracts and figures, her mind kept drifting back to one question.
Where is Gabriel taking me?
And now, standing here in their bedroom, he still wouldn’t tell her anything. He was ignoring her. Something he wasn’t used to.
Isla was no longer amused.”Gabriel,” she pressed, following him into the walk-in closet. “This is not funny anymore. You can’t just keep me in the dark.”
Gabriel, however, seemed to be enjoying himself.
He reached into the closet, pulled out a pair of sweatpants, and slipped them on, discarding the towel carelessly. Then he turned to face her, his expression however was neutral, it gave nothing away.
“I already told you,” he said calmly. “It’s a surprise. If I tell you now, it won’t be a surprise anymore. So let it go and focus on preparing for the trip.”
Everything about him confused Isla.
He had been acting strange lately-too calm, too secretive. And Isla didn’t like it one bit.
Tonight, she had made up her mind, she wasn’t letting this go.
Gabriel walked past her and returned to the bedroom.
Without another word, he climbed into bed and pulled the blanket over himself.
Isla followed immediately.
She climbed onto the bed and yanked the blanket away from him.
“We are not done talking,” she snapped. “I still have questions.”Gabriel sighed, rubbing his face tiredly.
“Isla, I’m exhausted,” he said. “I have an early meeting tomorrow morning. I really need to sleep.”
“No one is sleeping tonight if I don’t get my answers,” Isla shot back. “You can’t keep shutting me out. You’ve been acting strangely, and I don’t like it.”
“‘ve been busy,” Gabriel replied. “You know how work gets.”
“And I’ve been busy too,” Isla said immediately.. “I attend meetings every day, yet I still make time for you.”
She leaned closer, her voice lower but serious.
“So tell me what’s going on. Because don’t think for a second that I’ll go anywhere with you if you don’t speak to me now.”
Gabriel stared at her.
Somehow, despite everything, despite his acting and his calm expression. His calmness faltered.
He didn’t know how much longer he could keep this up.
Not when Isla was looking at him like that-determined, upset, and completely unwilling to let him escape.
And not when the surprise he was planning was becoming harder to protect with every passing second.