Gabriel stood in his office, gazing out at the bustling city below, overwhelmed by a deep longing to be home with Isla. Their marriage was fragile, teetering on the outcome of his investigation, and despite the uncertainty and her need for time, he was determined not to lose her. Isla consumed his thoughts, and he struggled with the pain of their strained relationship.
His reverie was interrupted by Stone, his head of security, who delivered troubling news: the hospital reports involving Isla were fabricated. The hospital she had visited was actually Christian City Hospital, not the one indicated in the false documents. Gabriel realized he had doubted Isla wrongly, and the falsified results had been deliberately sent to him to deceive and hurt her.
Gabriel was filled with anger and remorse, admitting to himself that he had failed Isla by not trusting her or standing by her side when she needed him most. Stone also informed him that Isla was now back at their family estate and that Jeffrey Cavalier had been there as well, a fact that stirred jealousy in Gabriel.
Determined to make amends, Gabriel ordered Stone to prepare the car and resolved to go home immediately, ready to face whatever awaited him—Isla’s silence, anger, or tears. He was prepared to accept any punishment she might give because all he wanted was her forgiveness and the chance to bring peace to their troubled relationship.
Gabriel stood silently before the towering glass window of his expansive office, his gaze fixed on the lively pulse of Worgidd Street below—one of Carminton’s busiest commercial hubs. The evening had settled in, casting a warm glow over the city as headlights glimmered like scattered jewels and shadows of hurried pedestrians flickered through the streetlights. The city was alive, bustling with people weaving their way home through the maze of glowing signs and traffic.
Home.
The word hit him hard, like a heavy weight pressing against his chest. How deeply he longed to be there—to be with her. Yet, Isla had told him she needed time to think. Doubt gnawed at him; he wasn’t even sure she would be waiting when he finally arrived.
Their marriage now balanced on a knife’s edge, hinging on the outcome of his investigation. No matter what the truth revealed, one thing was clear: he would never let her slip away. Even if she despised him, even if she never spoke to him again, he was determined to fight for her.
He couldn’t explain why she had become his addiction—why he couldn’t release her from his mind. She was his closest friend, his confidante, and now? He couldn’t even bring himself to finish that thought. Still, she consumed his every waking moment.
A gentle knock interrupted his spiraling thoughts. He turned just as the door opened quietly, closing softly behind his head of security.
Stone stepped inside, halting about four feet away from Gabriel. His expression was serious, almost somber.
“Speak,” Gabriel commanded, his voice low and edged with steel.
Stone took a slow breath. “The results are fabricated, sir. The hospital—it doesn’t exist.”
Gabriel’s jaw clenched tightly. His hands balled into fists at his sides, knuckles whitening as a flash of anger crossed his face.
“The hospital Mrs. Wyndham visited is Christian City Hospital,” Stone explained cautiously, “not Christine City Hospital. I met with the medical director myself, and…” He hesitated, uncertain how to continue.
Gabriel’s eyes locked onto him sharply. “And what? Finish it.”
“I think it’s best if you see for yourself.”
Stone handed over the file. Gabriel grabbed it eagerly, unfolding the papers with urgency. His eyes scanned every line, his expression shifting from disbelief to fury. The anger simmered just beneath the surface.
“She was right,” he muttered bitterly. “I was wrong. I didn’t believe her.”
Stone lowered his gaze. “It appears someone swapped her original test results, sir. The false report was sent directly to you. It was deliberate—planned and staged.”
Gabriel’s chest rose sharply as his fingers gripped the papers tighter. His knuckles turned pale, veins standing out beneath his skin.
He was ready to accept whatever punishment she chose to give him.
All he wanted now was her forgiveness. That was the only thing that could bring him peace.
The chapter closes on Gabriel’s profound realization of his mistakes, as the weight of his doubt and mistrust crushes him with unbearable guilt. His fierce love for Isla, intertwined with regret and longing, paints a vivid portrait of a man desperate to make amends and reclaim the trust he shattered. The raw emotion coursing through him reveals the depth of his commitment—no matter the pain or consequences, he is determined to stand by her side and fight for their fractured bond.
In this moment of vulnerability, the themes of forgiveness, trust, and redemption resonate deeply, underscoring the fragile yet enduring nature of their relationship. Gabriel’s resolve to face whatever awaits him at home speaks to the power of love to inspire courage and hope, even in the darkest hours. As the city’s lights flicker beyond the window, so too does the faint glimmer of a new beginning, fragile but real, waiting to be reclaimed.
The next chapter promises to delve deep into the emotional turmoil that Gabriel will face as he returns home, confronting the consequences of his doubts and mistakes. The tension between him and Isla is palpable, and readers can anticipate a charged reunion where unspoken feelings and unresolved pain will come to the surface. How will Isla react to Gabriel’s newfound resolve and admission of guilt? Will her heart soften, or will the wounds run too deep for easy forgiveness?
Meanwhile, the shadow of deception still lingers—fabricated test results and mysterious visits hint at a larger scheme at play. The mention of Jeffrey Cavalier’s presence at the family estate introduces an undercurrent of intrigue that may further complicate Gabriel’s quest for truth and reconciliation. As emotions clash with secrets, the next chapter will explore not only the fragility of trust but also the fierce determination of a man fighting to reclaim the woman he loves.
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.

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