Chapter 68
The tension had finally calmed. The air no longer felt tight, and everything seemed peaceful again between Isla and Gabriel. The couple sat close, whispering to each other and trying to catch up from where they had left off earlier, their bodies relaxed and their faces softer now.
Across the table, Ben and Betsy were clearly getting along. Their laughter echoed through the terrace as they leaned toward each other, whispering and giggling about things no one else seemed to understand.
Sofie, however, sat quietly, nursing her drink. She didn’t quite fit into their world, and she knew it. The people around her were not just wealthy–they were the kind of people others read about in business magazines. The Wyndhams and the elite of Carminton. And then there was her a simple woman who worked hard for everything she had.
Still, what bothered her most at the moment was not her social class–it was Peter.
The man hadn’t taken his eyes off her since they sat down. His intense blue eyes followed her every move, and it was making her nervous. He looked too serious, too unreadable, and that kind of attention scared her.
She had heard a lot about Peter Starling–the cold, disciplined billionaire who rarely smiled and hardly spoke. If the world thought Gabriel was intimidating, then Peter was in another league. He didn’t chase fame, didn’t flirt around, and didn’t entertain nonsense. So why was he looking at her like that?
To calm her nerves, Sofie finished her drink quickly and poured herself another. The heat that spread through her body was instant, her cheeks turning pink.
Peter noticed. He saw how flustered she looked, but he didn’t stop staring. His gaze was steady, his thoughts elsewhere.
His grandmother’s words kept echoing in his head, the ones she had said before he returned home.
“Peter, I want to see you settled. Get a wife and have children before I die. If I survive this illness, all I ask is a granddaughter–in–law p>
That memory hit him harder than he expected. He had come back to Carminton because of his grandmother’s illness, to care for her as her only grandson. The thought of losing her was unbearable–and now, looking at Sofie, something inside him moved. Maybe it was foolish, it might be too sudden, but he couldn’t stop himself.
So, he opened his mouth, and said what was on his mind.
“Marry me p>
The words came out of nowhere. It was clear, deep and certain. There was no confusion in his words.
Everyone froze.
Even the not too loud music playing in the background seemed to fade into silence. All eyes turned toward Peter.
Sofie’s mouth fell open, her mind blank. She blinked, trying to make sense of what she’d just heard. “Excuse me?” she managed to say, her voice small and shaky.
“You heard me,” Peter said calmly, his voice low but firm. “Marry me, and I’ll take care of you p>
1/3
Gasps rippled around the terrace. Isla’s hand flew to her mouth. Gabriel leaned back in disbelief. Ben chuckled softly, clearly entertained, while Betsy burst into laughter, almost spilling her drink
Sofie just sat there, frozen. Her pulse was racing.
“Wait. Hold on,” Isla said quickly, breaking the stunned silence. Her gaze darted between Peter and Sofie.” Peter, please tell me you’re joking, because there’s no way I will let you play around with my friend like that p>
Sofie looked at Isla, touched by her words–my friend, Isla had called her. She hadn’t expected that. Isla was kind and warm, the sort of woman who didn’t treat people by their social status. But before she could say anything, Peter spoke again.
“What? Why is everyone looking at me like that?” he asked, his tone cool but unbothered. “I meant every word. I like her. And I want her to be my wife p>
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. He knew Peter well enough to know the man wasn’t joking. Peter wasn’t like Ben–who flirted, teased, and played around for fun. Peter was the complete opposite. He didn’t waste words. If he wanted something, he went straight for it. But still–this?
“Well, my answer is no,” Sofie finally said, trying to steady her voice. “And stop looking at me like that p>
Peter tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “Why not?” he asked. “You’re not wearing a ring. That means you’re not in a relationship. I don’t play games, Sofie. If I say I’ll take care of you, I mean every word p>
His eyes flicked briefly toward Ben’s arm still wrapped around Betsy’s waist. “Unlike some people, ” he muttered under his breath. “I’m not here for fun. I want a wife, I want to build a family of my own p>
1
“Peter!” Isla stood up abruptly, her tone sharp. “That’s enough! You don’t just ask someone to marry you out of nowhere. You don’t even know her. Sofie is dear to me, and I won’t let you hurt her p>
Peter leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered by Isla’s outburst. His icy blue gaze shifted to her. “You should focus on settling the issues between you and your husband, Isla,” he said plainly. “ That seems more important right now, don’t you think p>
Isla frowned, shocked.
“Delphine isn’t done with you yet,” he continued, his voice calm but cutting. “That should be your concern. This –“he gestured toward Sofie “this is my decision. My life. I like her, not because I want to sleep with her, but because I want something real. I want a family. And if you are still my good friend, Isla, you should support me instead of standing against me p>
Silence fell over the group again. The only sound was the hum of music drifting from the lower floor of the club, which was now buzzing with people.
Isla sighed and sank back into her seat. Gabriel’s arm wrapped gently around her waist, pulling her close. He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “Let them handle it. Sofie knows what she wants, ”
She looked at him, unsure. He was probably right–but Isla knew the kind of pain that came from a marriage without love. She had lived through it. She was still trying to heal through it. The last thing she wanted was to see her friend go through something like that.
2/3
Still, Peter’s words had another truth hidden in them. Delphine wasn’t done. And Anna, her mother–in–law, was still another storm waiting to happen. Isla could already feel the weight of what was coming.
“Gabriel?” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ
The voice that called him was familiar. Everyone turned at once.
It was Landon–Gabriel’s older brother. His expression was serious, all traces of humor gone.
He looked from Gabriel to Isla, then to Peter and the rest of the group before speaking
“We have a big problem.
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.