Chapter 239
The helicopter flew smoothly over the wide, dark ocean, its steady send filling the quiet night sky. The lights inside were dim, calm, almost dreamlike. Isla shifted slightly in her seat. Her brows pulled together as she frowned in confusion. Slowly, her lashes fluttered, and she blinked once and again, before her eyes finally opened.
For a few seconds, she didn’t understand where she was.
Her heart skipped as awareness rushed in instantly. The strange vibration beneath her, the hum in her ears and the cold glass beside her. She quickly grabbed it, she was inside a helicopter.
Isla straightened immediately, panic flashing across her face.
“Gabriel,” she called out, her voice stiff with worry as she turned toward him. “What’s going on? Where are we going?”
She searched his face for answers, but before Gabriel could even open his mouth to reply, something caught Isla’s attention. Her eyes drifted toward the window.
And then she saw something amazing. An island slowly came into view beneath them.
It was surrounded by the dark ocean, yet it glowed brightly, standing out like a jewel against the night.Lights sparkled everywhere, outlining the shore, the trees; and the wide stretch of land. The entire island looked alive, glowing softly as if it had been waiting just for them.
Isla gasped sharpty. “Oh my God!” she screamed, her hand flying to her mouth.
But what truly broke her wasn’t just the beauty of the island.
Her eyes moved lower, toward the sandy bank close to the ocean, and that was when her breath completely left her chest. Tears filled her eyes instantly, blurring her vision.
Written across the sand in massive, glowing letters were the words:
I LOVE YOU ISLA WYNDHAM
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US, MY LOVE
Each letter shone brightly in colorful lights, reflecting against the water, glowing boldly against the dark night.
It was impossible to miss. Impossible to ignore. Isla broke down completely.
She sobbed hard, her shoulders shaking as the tears poured freely down her cheeks. It wasn’t just about how beautiful it was. It was the meaning behind it. The effort.
The love.
She had misunderstood him.
All this time, she had been angry, impatient, andsuspicious. She had pushed him again and again, demanding answers, accusing him of hiding things from her. Yet here he was-planning something this big, this thoughtful, all for their anniversary.
If he had told her, it would never have felt like this.
Gabriel finally reached for her.
He took her trembling hands gently in his, grounding her.
Slowly, and lovingly, he lifted her hands and pressed soft kisses against her knuckles—one after the other. Each kiss was slow, intentional, and it was filled with quiet honesty.
“Happy anniversary to us, my love,” he said softly. “I love you so much, and you know it.”
Isla cried even harder.
Her sobs came in waves, crashing over her chest as she leaned toward him. She couldn’t even find the right words. Her heart felt too full, too overwhelmed.
Then Gabriel smiled and let out a soft chuckle.
“I love you, Isla,” he said gently, “but this isn’t my surprise for you.”
Again, Isla froze.
Her head snapped up so fast it made Gabriel laugh again.
Her eyes widened in shock, tears still spilling down her face.
“This.. isn’t?” she whispered.She honestly didn’t know what to think anymore.
This was already beyond anything she had imagined. She had expected a simple trip-maybe Madayaka, or somewhere far from Richbouph. She never, not even once, imagined something like this.
And yet, Gabriel was telling her this wasn’t even the real surprise. Despite the tears, Isla smiled.
Her heart raced with excitement now. Whatever Gabriel
had planned, she knew she would love it.
The helicopter slowly descended and finally landed on clear ground. The moment the doors opened, the cool night breeze brushed against Isla’s face. Gabriel stepped out, and then reached back for her, helping her down carefully.
The moment her feet touched the soft beach sand, she felt something gentle cover her eyes.
“Gabriel,” she laughed softly, surprised. “What are you doing?”
He tied the scarf securely, making sure she couldn’t see anything.
“Trust me,” he replied, his voice calm and playful. “It’s part of the plan. Just wait a little.”
Isla smiled under the blindfold. “I can’t wait,” she said honestly.Before she could take another step, she felt herself lifted: off the ground.
“Gabriel!” she laughed loudly.
He had swept her into his arms effortlessly. Instinctively, Isla wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his shoulder. She felt safe, loved, and excited.
Gabriel carried her forward, his steps steady as he walked through a small, thick bush. Isla couldn’t see, but she could sense movement around them. She heard quiet footsteps and felt the presence of others nearby.
As Gabriel passed, guards bowed respectfully, though Isla remained unaware of it all.
After a short walk, Gabriel stopped.
He carried her inside, and the sound around them changed. The air felt different. The place was so quiet.
Finally, he gently placed her back on her feet.
“Stay right here,” he said softly.
Then, slowly, he removed the scarf from her eyes. Isla blinked several times, her eyes adjusting to the sudden light.
And then she saw something. And then she froze.
It wasn’t the beautiful mansion around her that stole her breath. It wasn’t the elegant interior, the glowing chandeliers, or the wide open space.
It was the people standing right in front of her. Four familiar faces. Four important people in her life.
Peter, Sofie, Benjamin, and Betsy.
They stood there smiling, each of them holding a cake, their eyes filled with warmth and happiness.
“Happy anniversary to the best couple in Richbouph!” they said together.
Isla screamed. And it was so loud into the night. The sound was filled with pure joy, disbelief, and excitement.
Tears rushed back to her eyes as she turned and threw herself into Gabriel’s arms.
He caught her easily, holding her tight as she laughed and cried at the same time.
Overcome with emotion, they kissed deeply, forgetting for a moment that they weren’t alone. Their friends watched with smiles, laughter, and knowing looks.
And now, surrounded by love, surprises, and the people who mattered most, Isla knew that this was an anniversary she would never forget.