Chapter 54
Isla came out of the dressing room fully dressed now. Her hair was still damp from the shower, leaving the soft scent of soap clinging to her. She paused at the doorway, her electric–blue eyes flicking over to Gabriel. The moment their gazes met, she glared at him, her expression turned cold again.
“ What now?” she asked, her voice low but edged with steel.
Gabriel did not rise to meet her anger. Instead, he turned to the coffee table, where the breakfast cart waited, and began arranging the food.
“Sit. You need to eat,” he said simply.
Without answering, Isla crossed the room and sat down stiffly on one of the sofas in the room. Gabriel poured coffee into her cup first and slid it toward her. She picked it up, drank a small sip, and then reached for the donuts. She ate little at first, but hunger eventually gave way to appetite. She finished one donut, then another, before taking more coffee.
She did all this without looking at him, without speaking a word. Only after she was done did she push the empty plate slightly away, fold her arms across her chest, and lift her chin to look at him directly. Her eyes locked with his green ones, full of pain and challenge.
“ Say whatever you want to say, Gabriel,” she said quietly. “Because I need to go now p>
Gabriel sat on the edge of the bed. He looked tired–no, he looked exhausted. His face carried the shadow of a man who had spent the entire night awake. Concern lined his forehead, and there was a heaviness in his shoulders. He let out a long, deep breath before he spoke.
“I’m sorry for everything you had to witness yesterday,” he said softly. “Please… forgive me p>
Isla didn’t say a word. She knew there was more he wanted to say. She could feel it in the way his eyes held hers, in the way his fingers gripped his knees. She knows, but she only stared at him, waiting, because she wanted him to speak his truth so she could finally leave.
Gabriel looked at her for a long time before he continued. “I know that what I’m about to tell you might not make sense to you. You might not even believe me. But I need you to know the truth. After you hear it, if you still want your space… I won’t stop you p>
“Get to the point, please,” Isla cut in, her anger was too much.
“I’m not the one responsible for Delphine’s pregnancy p>
Isla’s glare hardened immediately. Her lips parted slightly in disbelief. What kind of nonsense was he trying to tell her now?
“You can try a better lie, Gabriel. But you know I won’t fall for it,” she said, her voice was biting. “No woman jokes about pregnancy, not even Delphine. She’s a model, a top model, Gabriel, she would never risk her career over a lie like that. At least that much I know about her p>
Gabriel’s voice did not rise. “Just like I said, I’m not the father of her unborn child. And until I can prove it to you, I need you to support me in this. I need you to stand by my side. I might have accepted responsibility at
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first, but only because I didn’t want to create a scene. I didn’t want drama to explode in front of everyone. But the truth, Isla…” He stopped, swallowed hard, and then added, “The truth is what I’m telling you now p>
Isla rose to her feet suddenly and began pacing the room. Her head was throbbing again. The walls felt too close, the air too heavy.
Gabriel stood up as well, but he didn’t move closer. He simply watched her, his heart aching.
“I didn’t expect you to believe me,” he said finally, his voice quiet. “But I would appreciate it if you could at least keep our marriage safe. Please, Isla. I need you to support me on this one p>
She stopped pacing and turned to face him directly, her arms folded tight.
“Gabriel,” she said, “I need you to answer me with either a yes or a no p>
“Okay,” he replied, straightening his back.
“When you had sex with Delphine–was it protected sex p>
“No,” he said without blinking
“Then how are you so sure the child isn’t yours?” she asked, her voice rising slightly, a hint of annoyance crept
into her voice.
Gabriel let out another deep breath, his eyes looking away for a moment. The next words he spoke seemed to tear something open inside him.
“Because,” he began, pausing, unsure if it was wise to tell her. But he knew it was the only way to ease the pain between them. “After our marriage–two years ago–1 haven’t been with any woman except you. And that’s the truth p>
The room went completely quiet.
Isla froze after hearing him say that. She stared at him, her mind trying to digest his words. She searched his face for a hint of deception, but she found only exhaustion and sincerity. His eyes, though tired, were steady.
“How come?” she whispered, her voice softer now. “How come you didn’t say it at the meeting yesterday? How come you accepted the responsibility p>
She was right. If truly he hadn’t been with another woman after their marriage, if he hadn’t touched Delphine, then how could Delphine stand so confidently and accuse him? How could she hold his reputation hostage without fear?
“I have my reasons, Isla,” Gabriel said. “ And until I prove it, I need you to believe me. ”
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Isla shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry. I don’t believe you. And I can’t do this with you. You’ll need to do more than this to get my trust.” She straightened, and her was cold again. “If you don’t mind, I need to go now.
Please, I need to go.
Gabriel clenched his fists. Anger and hurt boiled inside him, but his voice came out bitter and restrained.
“I am a man, Isla,” he said, his tone rising, “All I’m trying to do is let you into my life. But you’re pushing me
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aside. I’m offering you my heart–my everything. I’m giving you the chance to fix this marriage without letting a third party destroy it. Accept my offer before it’s too late. This is me telling you the truth about my life, about what I want. Accept it before I change my mind p>
His voice cracked at the end. The bitterness wasn’t just anger; it was pain. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ.net
Isla’s eyes glistened with tears and she refused to let them fall. Even though a small part of her wanted to believe him, she couldn’t. Not after everything she had endured these past two years.
“You’re free to do whatever you want to do, Gabriel,” she said softly. “But right now, I’m sorry. I don’t believe You”
She reached for her clutch on the nightstand and slipped her feet Into her shoes.
“Can you please unlock the door? I need to go now p>
Gabriel didn’t speak. He walked to the door, pressed the code, and unlocked it. Then he stepped aside, leaving the path open for her.
Isla didn’t hesitate. She walked out without looking back, the sound of her heels echoing sharply against the marble floor.
Gabriel stood there, motionless, watching her walk away until she disappeared from sight.
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.