Chapter 3
“Tll take it. Send it to me later.” Gabriella looked at him, her smile cold.
and distant.
“One more reminder–don’t take photos of your mistress again. Wouldn’t want her ending up dead, too.”
Reynald pressed his lips tight. His glare was so sharp it could cut a hole through her face.
He’d only get worse in these last two weeks. Gabriella knew. She didn’t
care.
Once the photos were done, the three of them left the villa.
“Rey,” Vanessa suddenly said, “I just got my license. Can I drive us back?”
Reynald nodded.
She looked at Gabriella, pretending to be pitiful. “Gabriella. I get nervous with strangers. Can you walk back on your own?”
Gabriella looked at Reynald. “There are no cars out here. Walking down the mountain takes three hours. It’s already nine. And I’m in heels.”
“Are you afraid of mountain roads now?” Reynald sweetly opened the door for Vanessa, never even glancing at her.
“Honey, don’t tell me you forgot where you crawled out from. Since when did you become so delicate?”
Another reminder. He was always terrified she might forget her place- even for a second.
Gabriella’s eyes burned. She took off her heels and hurled them.
Reynald tilted his head. The heel scraped across his cheek–blood
followed.
With a bang, the shoe slammed into the car window and left a dent.
Gabriella walked away barefoot, biting her lip so hard she almost bled.
She wouldn’t cry. Not when no one cared. Tears, in her case, were just a joke.
Reynald’s ear followed behind, speeding up and slowing down. Vanessa’s panicked voice rang out. “Ah! I’m scared!”
And his gentle voice followed. “Don’t be. I’m here.”
Gabriella’s chest twisted. He’d said the same thing ten years ago–when he pulled her off the rooftop.
But now, saying it to Vanessa, who looked 70% like her… now he meant
- it.
Gabriella walked faster, not caring as the gravel tore her feet open, blood staining the dirt. But no matter how fast she went, Vanessa matched her. The car followed like a shadow.
Gabriella stopped, letting them pass.
But suddenly, Vanessa screamed. The car swerved–and slammed into.
her.
She hit the ground, pain crashing over her like a wave.
Before her vision faded, she saw Reynald running toward her, pale and frantic. Then everything went black.
When she woke, the air reeked of disinfectant.
Chapter)
Still groggy, she watched Vanessa rush into Reynald’s arms, eyes brimming with tears.
“It’s all my fault,” she sobbed. “I shouldn’t have driven so soon after getting my license. What if something happened to Gabriella? I…”
“What are you afraid of?” Reynald cupped her face and wiped her tears. “It’s just three broken ribs. Even if she died…”
He turned his head casually. Their eyes met.
He froze. Then smiled. “I’d still write a letter of forgiveness–as her next of kin.”
Gabriella’s heart turned to ice. But she wasn’t surprised.
If she really died, he’d probably light fireworks across the city.
But the heart she gave him–the one beating in his chest–would never let him forget that she owed him nothing.
They both hated who she was. She was finally free. But the heart carrying a killer’s blood would keep him alive, chained to her memory.
He’d never know peace.
“Gabriella, you’re finally awake. I made you oatmeal. Let me help you. eat.”
Vanessa walked up cheerfully. Before Gabriella could refuse, she yanked her up and shoved the bowl into her arms.
The sudden movement tugged at her injury. Hot oatmeal spilled across her chest. Gabriella curled in pain, gasping.
“Oh no! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t have much experience taking care of people.” Vanessa let go of the bowl.
Chapter 3
Gabriella caught it just before it hit the floor.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I almost made another mess… Ouch!” She reached. forward again.
Gabriella raised her arm and flung the bowl, oatmeal and all, right at Vanessa.
“Vanessa!” Reynald pulled her into his arms, shielding her.
His glare locked onto Gabriella, burning with fury. As if he’d kill her right there.
