Gabriel’s phone rang suddenly, startling him as he finished speaking. When he saw the caller ID, he froze but answered immediately. Listening intently, his face showed a mix of relief and fear. After the call ended, he softly acknowledged his grandfather, Alfred Wyndham, had awakened. Isla’s heart filled with joy and hope upon hearing the name, having silently prayed for this moment. She noticed Gabriel’s conflicted emotions—relief mixed with apprehension about what the truth might bring.
Isla comforted Gabriel, urging him to visit his grandfather and hear what he had to say, despite his fears. Gabriel responded with a tender kiss before leaving to prepare, leaving Isla to reassure their friends with a forced smile. Shortly after, Sofie’s phone rang, and she received a message from Peter saying he was on his way. Overwhelmed by nerves and excitement, Sofie hesitated to get ready, but Isla encouraged her to come with her to find the perfect outfit for the date.
Isla led Sofie and Betsy to a large, well-lit room filled with an impressive collection of clothes, shoes, and accessories—Isla’s private boutique-like closet. Sofie and Betsy were amazed by the luxurious space, and Isla admitted she hadn’t used it much since moving in, joking that Gabriel was “crazy” for having such a setup. Betsy teased Isla about Gabriel’s deep love for her, which made Isla blush and feel cherished, recalling Gabriel’s earlier confession of love.
As Isla’s friends explored the closet, she excused herself to attend to something important, leaving them to enjoy the boutique. The chapter highlighted the mix of emotions surrounding Gabriel’s family revelations, Sofie’s anticipation for Peter’s arrival, and the close bond among the friends as they prepared for what lay ahead.
Gabriel’s phone rang the instant he finished speaking, the sudden sharp tone cutting through the quiet room and making him startle. He quickly pulled the device from his pocket and glanced at the screen. The moment his eyes landed on the caller ID, his entire body froze. His face went rigid, and he found himself unable to move or speak.
Without hesitation, he answered the call.
For a long moment, he said nothing, simply listening intently. His jaw tightened slightly as the voice on the other end spoke. Only when the call ended did Gabriel finally release a slow breath.
“Yes, Grandfather,” he whispered softly.
Isla’s heart leapt in her chest. She rose immediately, her eyes lighting up with relief the instant she heard the name—Alfred Wyndham. It meant the old man had awakened. A warm surge of joy bubbled inside her, filling her with hope and gratitude. She had been silently praying for this moment, and now it was finally here.
Gabriel ended the call slowly, his expression shifting in an instant. A flicker of happiness appeared in his eyes—a deep, gentle relief that Alfred was awake. Yet beneath that relief, Isla noticed something else: a shadow of fear.
He looked like a man who had been waiting far too long to hear the truth, yet was terrified of what that truth might reveal.
Isla stepped closer, reaching out to gently clasp his hands. At first, his fingers were rigid, but they gradually relaxed under her touch. When he met her gaze, his eyes softened, and a small, reassuring smile touched his lips.
“I’m fine,” he murmured, though she could tell the words were far from the truth.
Isla nodded knowingly, feeling the weight behind his voice. “I understand,” she said softly. “But you should go to him. Listen to whatever he needs to say.”
Gabriel swallowed hard, nodding slowly. “I just don’t know what else he might want to tell me,” he admitted quietly.
“That’s exactly why you need to go,” Isla whispered, still holding his hands firmly. “Don’t keep the old man waiting. Go get dressed.”
He bent down and pressed a brief, tender kiss to her lips—quick, gentle, but filled with unspoken emotion. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.
Isla remained rooted in place until he disappeared into the elevator. Only then did she return to her friends, forcing a smile. “Sorry about that,” she said softly.
“We understand,” Betsy replied warmly, her eyes full of kindness.
Isla sat down again, but before their conversation could resume, another phone rang—this time from the coffee table.
Sofie snatched up her phone and glanced at the screen. The call ended almost immediately, replaced by a message notification. Her breath caught when she saw the name.
Peter.
She opened the message.
“I am on my way.”
Frozen, Sofie gripped her phone tightly, pressing it against her chest as her fingers trembled ever so slightly. Her breath grew shallow, a mix of nerves and excitement swirling within her.
Isla and Betsy exchanged curious glances, their eyebrows rising in silent question.
Sofie looked back at them helplessly. “He’s coming here,” she whispered.
Looking up, Isla noticed both her friends watching her with warm, knowing smiles.
Clearing her throat, she stood. “You two can take your time here. I need to take care of something.”
“Yes, we know,” Sofie and Betsy said in unison, teasing her playfully.
Isla rolled her eyes dramatically but couldn’t help the soft smile that curved her lips as she stepped out of the room, leaving them to explore the boutique-closet on their own.
The chapter beautifully captures the delicate interplay of hope and fear that colors Gabriel and Isla’s world. Gabriel’s call from his grandfather awakens a mixture of relief and apprehension, reflecting the complexity of facing long-awaited truths. Isla’s unwavering support and gentle encouragement underscore the strength found in love and companionship, even as uncertainty looms. Their tender connection, marked by small gestures and unspoken emotions, reveals the depth of their bond and the quiet courage it takes to confront what lies ahead.
Meanwhile, Sofie’s anxious anticipation of Peter’s arrival introduces a fresh wave of vulnerability and excitement, balanced by the comforting presence of friendship. Isla’s invitation to explore her lavish closet offers a moment of lightheartedness and solidarity, reminding them all of the joy found in shared experiences and mutual support. Together, these intertwined moments weave a narrative of resilience, love, and hope, leaving the characters poised on the brink of new revelations and emotional growth.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional complexities that Gabriel now faces after hearing from his grandfather. His mixture of relief and fear hints at revelations that could challenge everything he thought he knew, creating a tense atmosphere filled with anticipation. Isla’s unwavering support will be tested as Gabriel confronts the past, and readers can expect to witness the delicate balance between hope and uncertainty in their relationship.
Meanwhile, Sofie’s storyline takes an intriguing turn with Peter’s unexpected arrival, stirring a whirlwind of emotions and vulnerability. The contrast between her nervous anticipation and the lavish surroundings of Isla’s boutique-closet sets the stage for intimate moments and personal growth. As Sofie prepares for what lies ahead, the bonds of friendship among the women will shine, offering comfort and encouragement amid the unfolding drama. The next chapter will skillfully weave together these threads, keeping readers eager to see how each character navigates the challenges before them.
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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