Chapter 241

Gabriel was alone in the swimming pool behind the island mansion.

The water was calm, clear, and cool against his skin as he glided slowly from one end to the other. Each stroke was unhurried, it was relaxed. Above him, the morning sky was blue, the sun already warm and soothing.

As he swam, his mind drifted backward into a memory he had carried for most of his life. At that time, he was a child.

It was during Wyatt’s birthday party. He remembered standing too close to the pool, not knowing how to swim, not understanding danger. Then a sudden push from behind, and he fell.

Someone had pushed him into the water. Someone who didn’t know that he couldn’t swim.

His arms had flailed wildly as he tried to scream, but instead, water rushed into his mouth and nose, burning his chest. He was drowning, truly drowning. His vision blurred, his body growing weak as fear swallowed him.

Death was close that day. But small hands which were strong caught him. It was an angel.

She jumped into the pool without hesitation and pulled him out. He coughed, and cried. Back then, he never saw her face clearly. He only remembered her warmth, her bravery, and life being returned to him.For years, day after days, the memory never left him.

He always wakes up from countless nightmares. No matter how much time passed, the fear never truly left, until recently.

And now, after knowing the truth. After knowing that the angel who saved him that day was Isla, his wife. The woman he loved. The nightmares had stopped completely, like they had never existed at all.

Gabriel floated onto his back, letting the water carry him.

His arms spread slightly, his body relaxed, his face tilted toward the sky. The sun warmed his skin as he closed his eyes, breathing in deeply.

His thoughts shifted again, this time to Anna. To the years he had lived under her control, under her rules and manipulation. All that time, believing she was his mother, believing her every word, never knowing his life was shaped by lies and silent cruelty.

But all of that is over now. There was no more drama in his life. No more tension and no more fear.

For the first time since he married Isla—no, for the first time in his entire life. Gabriel felt true peace.

He’s not thinking about tomorrow, or the weight of responsibilities waiting for him beyond this island. All that mattered was her, his heartbeat. His Angel.

“Can I join you?” A very sweet and tender voice said, thevoice he could never mistake for another.

His eyes flew open in surprise, and at that brief moment of distraction, he lost his balance and began to sink. Water rushed over his face as he struggled to float properly again.

Isla’s laughter rang out, light and teasing.

Gabriel surfaced quickly and swam to the edge of the pool, shaking his head as he caught his breath. Isla was already there, crouched down, her eyes dancing with amusement.

Their lips met in a brief, gentle kiss.

“Get into the water,” Gabriel murmured.

She giggled and stood up slowly. With deliberate ease, she untied the belt of her robe and let it slide from her shoulders. Beneath it, she wore a simple two-piece bikini that hugged her body perfectly.

She sat at the edge of the pool, parting her thighs slightly.

Gabriel moved closer, positioning himself between her legs. His hands settled on her waist as he pressed a soft kiss to her stomach, staying there for a moment longer than he planned to..

“I feel like staying here for the next two weeks,” he said quietly. “Just you and me.”

ISla laughed softly. Her fingers slid into his wet hair,tangling there as she tilted his face up to hers. She looked into his green eyes, her expression suddenly thoughtful.

“Can we have more babies?” she asked, and Gabriel froze.

For a brief second, the world stilled a little.

Isla had always been clear about pregnancy. She didn’t want more children. It was why he had been careful, always using protection whenever they had sex. It was the reason he had never pushed the topic after they had their kids.

So hearing those words now caught him completely off guard.

“You said you didn’t want more kids,” he said gently, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “Why the change of heart?”

She laughed again, suddenly shy. Her hands flew to her face as if she were a young girl confessing something forbidden.

Without warning, Gabriel wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her, carrying her effortlessly into the pool. She gasped, then laughed, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist, her arms curling around his neck.

“Say that again,” Gabriel said with a low voice.

Isla was still laughing, tears gathering in her eyes from the joy of it all. Then she grew serious. She looked into hiseyes, her voice steady, sincere.

“I really want to have more kids with you, Gabriel,” she said softly. “Let’s start making babies.” This time, she wasn’t smiling.

Isla’s expression had shifted into something more serious, more intent, and Gabriel mirrored it. They stood facing each other in the quiet, their gazes locked, neither willing to look away. The air between them felt charged, heavy with everything they hadn’t said yet.

After a long moment, Gabriel finally broke the silence.

“Let’s start from here?” he asked softly. And Isla nodded.

She closed the small distance between them and kissed him, slowly at first, then with growing heat. The kiss wasn’t rushed. It carried patience, familiarity, and hunger all together. Gabriel responded without rushing, his hands moving over her with reverence, as though relearning her all over again.

The morning unfolded in a blur of warmth and closeness.

A shared laughter, stolen touches, the water of the pool glinting under the sun as they lost themselves in one another.

Time slipped away easily with him. By afternoon, after lunch, they found each other again, unable to resist the pull that kept drawing them closer.

And now, after dinner, that pull had only intensified.”Oh my God, Gabriel..” Isla breathed, her voice breaking as sensation overwhelmed her.

Gabriel leaned close, his breath warm against her ear. ” You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “I can’t get enough of you.”

He held her firmly, moving with confidence and devotion, as if every touch was meant to remind her of how deeply she was wanted. Isla clung to him, her body trembling, her thoughts dissolving into feeling.

“I’m close,” she whispered.

Gabriel didn’t slow. If anything, he deepened the rhythm, grounding her as she came undone in his arms. The moment stretched, it was intense and consuming, until they finally collapsed together, breathless and spent.

He stayed with her afterward, holding her close, pressing gentle kisses along her skin as the world slowly came back into focus.

“I love you, my angel,” he said quietly. “And I’m not done with you yet.”

Isla smiled gently, she understood everything. And she was ready.