Gabriel’s day at work was long and exhausting, filled with endless paperwork and responsibilities. Just as he was about to finish, his older brother Wyatt barged into his office unannounced, immediately causing tension. Wyatt casually asked Gabriel for money to fund a family cruise, highlighting the ongoing financial disputes and resentment within the family, especially regarding how Gabriel and his wife Isla manage company funds.
The confrontation grew heated as Wyatt accused Gabriel of being selfish and spending money on his mistress and wife, while the rest of the family struggled. Gabriel firmly defended himself, insisting that he earned his own money and that Isla was responsible with the company’s finances. Despite the tension, Gabriel ultimately wrote a cheque for twenty million dollars to Wyatt, choosing to maintain peace rather than escalate the conflict.
After work, Gabriel returned home feeling drained, sharing a quiet dinner with Isla. Later that night, an unexpected moment unfolded when Gabriel entered their bedroom and asked Isla if he could touch her, expressing a desire to make love to his wife. This was a surprising and tender change in their distant relationship, stirring hope and disbelief in Isla after years of emotional separation.
Gabriel’s day had unfolded much like any other—long, exhausting, and consumed by work. From the moment he arrived at the office early that morning, he had been immersed in a relentless stream of tasks. Signing cheques, scrutinizing reports, and sifting through endless documents had left him little time to breathe.
His desk was buried beneath heaps of paperwork, and his pen moved tirelessly across the pages. The clock was inching toward the end of the day, yet he remained engrossed in his duties, determined to finish what needed to be done.
Without warning, the office door swung open abruptly, without a single knock.
Gabriel didn’t even bother to glance up. Only one person had the audacity to barge in like that—his older brother, Wyatt. And if Wyatt was here, Gabriel already knew the visit wouldn’t be a casual one. Trouble was Wyatt’s specialty, and he was here to stir it up, as usual.
“You won’t even spare a glance for your own brother?” Wyatt teased, striding confidently to the chair opposite Gabriel and sinking into it with a smug grin.
“I’m busy, as you can plainly see,” Gabriel replied flatly, his eyes glued to the paperwork before him.
Wyatt leaned back lazily, a sly smile playing on his lips. “I need some cash,” he said casually. “The usual. You know Sia and Mia, right? They’re planning a cruise—something fun. It’s been ages since the last one. Even the kids are whining about it. A little celebration might ease the tension around here. So, what do you say?”
Gabriel paused, finally lifting his gaze to meet Wyatt’s self-satisfied smirk.
“I’m quite certain everyone in this family got their allowances today,” Gabriel said coolly. “So why come knocking on my door asking for more?”
Wyatt leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his tone darkening.
“Don’t act like you own the company,” he snapped. “I’m asking for what belongs to all of us. You throw money around on your mistress, showering her with expensive gifts. And your wife? I still can’t believe she’s running the clothing company now. She spends freely, just like you. But the rest of us? We’re left begging for scraps.”
Gabriel’s jaw clenched tightly as he rose to his feet, staring down his brother with a cold, hard glare. “You’re crossing a line, Wyatt. You know full well I don’t touch the company’s funds. I have my own business—I earn what I own. Maybe you should try the same instead of barging in here, asking for handouts. And all for what? A fun cruise?” He shook his head in disbelief.
Wyatt opened his mouth to retort, but Gabriel cut him off mid-sentence. “As for my wife—she’s careful with money, just like me. Grandfather chose her to manage that company because he knew how reckless you and the others can be—”
Gabriel stopped abruptly, as if reconsidering his words. “Never mind.”
He sank back into his chair, rubbing his forehead wearily.
Wyatt’s fists clenched tightly on his knees, frustration simmering beneath his skin. He hated being reminded of his shortcomings. He despised how Gabriel always seemed to be the responsible one, the one everyone looked up to.
Gabriel’s voice softened slightly, though the frown on his face remained. “How much are we talking about?”
Wyatt’s smirk broadened, a victorious glint shining in his eyes. “Well… a few million dollars.”
“Be specific,” Gabriel demanded firmly.
“Twenty million, to be exact.”
Gabriel blinked in surprise. Twenty million was a hefty sum by any standard. But for him, it was not enough to rattle his composure. He could sign off on that amount without even blinking. Sometimes, maintaining peace within the family was simply easier than engaging in conflict.
Isla’s hand stilled, her mouth falling open in surprise. “What?” The word escaped her lips in disbelief.
“I want to make love to my wife,” Gabriel said, his voice low and steady. “May I?”
Her mind spun. This was too good to be real. After all these years of distance, was this truly happening now?
The chapter closes on a poignant note, revealing the complex layers of Gabriel’s life—his relentless dedication to work, the burdens of family obligations, and the quiet yearning for connection with Isla. Despite the tension with Wyatt and the weight of financial demands, Gabriel’s composure remains unshaken, hinting at the sacrifices he makes to keep peace within his family. Yet, beneath the surface, his vulnerability begins to emerge, especially in the intimate moment shared with Isla, breaking the long-standing emotional distance between them.
This tender exchange between Gabriel and Isla marks a subtle turning point, filled with hope and the possibility of rekindling their bond. The chapter captures the delicate balance between duty and desire, illustrating how even amidst chaos and weariness, love can find its way back. It leaves the reader with a sense of anticipation, wondering if this newfound closeness will pave the way for healing and deeper understanding in their marriage.
Tension simmers beneath the surface as Gabriel and Wyatt’s fraught conversation leaves the family dynamics more strained than ever. With the hefty sum of twenty million dollars now in Wyatt’s hands, questions loom about how this decision will ripple through the family and business. Gabriel’s willingness to maintain peace at such a cost hints at deeper sacrifices and unresolved conflicts that may soon demand attention.
Meanwhile, the quiet intimacy between Gabriel and Isla takes an unexpected turn, stirring emotions long suppressed. Their tentative connection in the stillness of the night suggests a fragile hope for reconciliation, yet the shadows of their past distance linger. As they navigate this delicate moment, readers will be drawn into the complexities of their relationship, wondering if this newfound closeness can withstand the pressures closing in from all sides. The next chapter promises to explore these evolving bonds and the challenges that threaten to unravel 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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