Isla faces Gabriel with a heart full of pain and bitterness as he apologizes for doubting her and not trusting her words about the baby. Gabriel admits his mistake softly, asking for forgiveness, but Isla struggles to believe the sincerity of his apology. She wonders whether his regret is genuine or merely a reaction to Alfred’s confession, who revealed that the original test results had been tampered with.
Gabriel tries to explain that he only took responsibility to avoid scandal and now regrets not believing her sooner. Isla’s emotions are torn between anger and sorrow as she confronts him, demanding the truth and expressing how deeply hurt she has been by his lack of trust. She cannot forgive him yet because his remorse feels shallow and motivated by guilt rather than true understanding.
Despite Gabriel’s earnest attempts to convince her that he searched for the truth out of love and faith, Isla remains guarded and skeptical. She challenges him, saying that if he truly cared, he would have investigated earlier and fought for their relationship. Gabriel acknowledges his failure but insists he did believe her and took action to confirm the truth himself.
As Isla prepares to leave, Gabriel’s heartfelt confession about his love and willingness to accept any punishment holds a fragile hope between them. Isla stands caught between her anger and the lingering love she wishes she could deny, unable to find the words to respond. The chapter ends with a tense silence filled with unresolved emotions and the possibility of reconciliation still hanging in the air.
Isla faces Gabriel with a heart full of pain and bitterness as he apologizes for doubting her and not trusting her words about the baby. Gabriel admits his mistake softly, asking for forgiveness, but Isla struggles to believe the sincerity of his apology. She wonders whether his regret is genuine or merely a reaction to Alfred’s confession, who revealed that the original test results had been tampered with.
Gabriel tries to explain that he only took responsibility to avoid scandal and now regrets not believing her sooner. Isla’s emotions are torn between anger and sorrow as she confronts him, demanding the truth and expressing how deeply hurt she has been by his lack of trust. She cannot forgive him yet because his remorse feels shallow and motivated by guilt rather than true understanding.
Despite Gabriel’s earnest attempts to convince her that he searched for the truth out of love and faith, Isla remains guarded and skeptical. She challenges him, saying that if he truly cared, he would have investigated earlier and fought for their relationship. Gabriel acknowledges his failure but insists he did believe her and took action to confirm the truth himself.
As Isla prepares to leave, Gabriel’s heartfelt confession about his love and willingness to accept any punishment holds a fragile hope between them. Isla stands caught between her anger and the lingering love she wishes she could deny, unable to find the words to respond. The chapter ends with a tense silence filled with unresolved emotions and the possibility of reconciliation still hanging in the air.
She turned to face him, her heart aching with a bitter sting. Sorry? she thought bitterly. Did he even grasp the meaning of that word anymore?
Gabriel’s voice was low and steady. “I was wrong, and you were right,” he admitted softly. “I should have listened to you from the start. I should have trusted your words instead of doubting you. I’m truly sorry, love. Please… forgive me this once.”
Isla’s eyes welled up, tears threatening to spill but never quite falling. Her lips quivered, but no sound escaped. She longed to speak, to shout, yet her voice betrayed her, refusing to obey.
Why now? she wondered silently. Was this apology born from a genuine realization, or was it simply because Alfred had confessed? If it was because of Alfred, could she find it in herself to forgive him?
If the old man hadn’t exposed his secret—his little “game,” as he called it—would Gabriel have ever apologized? Would he have cared enough to admit his mistakes?
He had said they should “go back to how things were.” That he would take responsibility for the baby, not out of belief, but to avoid scandal.
Her chest tightened painfully. How could she forgive that? She couldn’t—not until he truly understood the gravity of what he’d done. Not until his remorse came from the depths of his heart, not from guilt or convenience.
“Why?” she whispered, her voice barely steady. She needed to hear it from him, needed the truth laid bare.
Gabriel set the heavy granite pot down in the sink and rinsed his hands, then took a slow step toward her.
“Stop. Stay away from me,” Isla warned, her eyes red and fierce through the tears.
He paused but didn’t retreat. “Okay. But please, just hear me out.” His voice softened, filled with sincerity. “I’m sorry because I was a fool not to believe you, my love.”
Isla let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Love?” she scoffed. “That word sounds hollow coming from you.”
Still, he pressed on, his eyes clouded with regret. “I’m sorry because I finally uncovered the truth. Someone tampered with everything. The original test results were swapped for fakes. I confirmed it myself. Isla, I am so sorry.”
Her tears spilled freely now, tracing silent paths down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around herself. So Alfred had told him. That was the turning point. If the old man had kept his silence, Gabriel would never have known, never have said sorry.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile and tumultuous relationship between Isla and Gabriel, where forgiveness hangs in the balance. As Gabriel’s genuine remorse surfaces, the emotional stakes rise, revealing the complexity of trust and betrayal that has shaped their marriage. Readers will be drawn into the raw vulnerability of both characters as they grapple with the past and the possibility of healing.
Tensions are likely to escalate as Isla confronts her conflicted feelings—torn between the love she once believed in and the pain caused by Gabriel’s earlier doubts. The question remains: can Gabriel prove that his remorse is sincere and rebuild the trust he shattered? The unfolding moments will be charged with emotional intensity, hinting at difficult choices and the slow, uncertain path toward reconciliation.
In this chapter, the emotional turmoil between Isla and Gabriel reaches a poignant peak, revealing the fragile threads that bind love, trust, and forgiveness. Isla’s pain and skepticism underscore the deep wounds caused by doubt and betrayal, while Gabriel’s heartfelt apology exposes his regret and desire to make amends. Their interaction is a delicate dance of vulnerability and guarded hearts, where love persists beneath layers of hurt but remains uncertain and fragile.
Despite the heavy weight of mistrust, a glimmer of hope lingers in the silence between them. Gabriel’s willingness to accept whatever consequences Isla deems fit and her conflicted emotions hint at the possibility of healing, though it will be a slow and difficult journey. This chapter closes on an unresolved but tender note, capturing the complexity of their relationship and the enduring power of love to both wound and heal.
In the upcoming chapter, the delicate threads of Isla and Gabriel’s relationship will be tested as they navigate the aftermath of painful revelations and tentative apologies. The emotional landscape is fraught with hesitation and guarded hope, inviting readers to witness the fragile steps they take toward understanding and perhaps forgiveness. Both characters will confront their inner turmoil, wrestling with the shadows of doubt and the flickering light of love that still lingers between them.
As the story unfolds, the tension between Isla’s lingering resentment and Gabriel’s earnest desire to make amends will create a charged atmosphere where every word and gesture carries weight. The next chapter promises to explore the complexities of trust—how it can be broken and whether it can be rebuilt when the wounds run so deep. Readers will find themselves on edge, eager to see if Isla can open her heart again or if the scars of betrayal will prove too great to overcome.
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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