Delphine arrives unexpectedly at Gabriel’s office, dressed elegantly and wearing a confident, almost taunting smile that unsettles Isla deeply. Jude informs Gabriel of Delphine’s appointment, and Gabriel confirms he invited her to settle some matters, which immediately sparks jealousy and tension in Isla. Despite her discomfort, Isla follows Gabriel inside, where Delphine sits confidently opposite him, and Gabriel reveals he accepted responsibility for Delphine’s pregnancy only to avoid family embarrassment but intends to demand a DNA test after the child is born.
Delphine is shocked and hurt by Gabriel’s words, breaking down in tears, while Isla watches with a mix of irritation and interest. When Isla’s phone rings, she steps out briefly, allowing Delphine to confront Gabriel emotionally about their past and his betrayal. Gabriel insists their relationship is over and that she should now see him only as her employer, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation about the pregnancy. Delphine’s pain and anger are palpable as she accuses Gabriel of breaking promises and abandoning her.
Isla returns with calm confidence and challenges Delphine directly, asking if she is truly pregnant. Delphine reacts with disbelief and anger, but Isla presses her for honesty, demanding proof within two days that the baby is Gabriel’s. Isla boldly promises that if Delphine can prove her claim, she will divorce Gabriel and ensure he marries Delphine. This marks a turning point where Isla shifts from quiet insecurity to assertive determination, staking her claim on Gabriel.
The confrontation leaves the room heavy with tension. Gabriel watches silently, surprised and proud of Isla’s newfound strength, while Delphine, unable to respond, storms out in frustration, slamming the door behind her. The chapter closes on this charged moment, highlighting the escalating conflict and emotional stakes between the three characters.
Delphine’s voice floated out as she stepped beyond the threshold.
The sound sent a sudden twist through Isla’s stomach, an uneasy flutter that tightened her chest in an unfamiliar way.
Delphine moved further into the open doorway, still clad in her signature cream coat that elegantly concealed a delicate cream blouse and a tailored beige skirt. Her glossy blonde hair framed her face with perfect precision, and her red lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
Isla’s breath caught. Her heart skipped a beat, a strange and uncomfortable pressure building deep inside her.
“Mrs. Wyndham.” Jude appeared quietly behind Delphine, nodding respectfully at Isla. Then he turned toward Gabriel. “Miss Winthrope has an appointment with you, sir,” he informed.
Gabriel gave a curt nod, dismissing Jude with a glance.
Jealousy surged through Isla’s veins, hot and almost overwhelming. She fought to swallow the bitter feeling, but it burned fiercely, lodged stubbornly in her throat.
Before she could utter a word, Gabriel’s strong hand tightened possessively around her waist. His voice broke the silence.
“I invited Delphine,” he said smoothly, his tone calm and deliberate. “There are matters that need to be settled.”
“Matters?” Isla blinked, trying to process the implication.
Delphine’s painted lips lifted into a smirk that ignited a fire in Isla’s blood. It was the kind of smirk that whispered, I’ve been here before. Isla’s fingers twitched, aching to wipe that smug expression away, but she forced herself to remain still, her posture composed and dignified.
“Let’s go inside,” Gabriel said quietly.
His hand stayed firmly at her waist as he led her into his office. The door clicked softly shut behind them. Delphine followed with slow, assured steps, the soft clicking of her heels echoing against the polished floor.
Gabriel guided Isla to the plush leather sofa and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “This won’t take long,” he promised softly. “Trust me.”
Isla didn’t trust Delphine—not in the slightest—but she wanted to believe her husband. She nodded, though unease still churned in her heart.
Delphine settled herself opposite Gabriel’s executive desk, crossing her legs with practiced grace. Gabriel removed his suit jacket, revealing a perfectly fitted blue shirt that clung to his sculpted frame. He hung the jacket neatly before sinking into his chair, his expression hardening.
“I won’t waste your time,” he began, his voice professional and edged with a coldness that stung. “I accepted responsibility for your pregnancy to avoid embarrassing you in front of my family. It was out of respect for our history. But once the child is born, I will insist on a DNA test.”
The words hit Delphine like a physical blow.
Her face contorted in shock, her eyes fluttering rapidly. “How… how can you say that to me, Gabby?” she whispered, her voice breaking as tears began to spill down her cheeks.
Isla watched quietly, her interest piqued but her patience thinning. She rolled her eyes subtly, pressing her lips together to hide her irritation. The tears seemed theatrical, though she couldn’t deny the genuine pain beneath.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed inside her purse, the ringtone cutting sharply through the tension. She pulled it out quickly—it was an unknown number.
“I need to take this,” she said softly, rising and already heading toward the door.
Gabriel turned toward her, frowning. “Love, where are you going?”
“To answer a call,” she replied calmly. “I’ll be right back.”
He nodded reluctantly as the door clicked softly behind her.
Delphine’s sobs grew heavier once Isla left the room. This time, the hurt sounded real. Her voice trembled with raw emotion.
“So now you can call her ‘love’ in front of me?” she spat bitterly. “Gabriel, I’ve loved you for years. I would have given my life for you. Is this how you repay me? You promised. You said you’d never leave me. What happened to that?”
Gabriel sighed deeply, jaw clenched tightly. “Delphine… three years ago, before you left, I thought—”
“Please,” she interrupted sharply, wiping her tears away. “Don’t go there. That’s the past. You and I… we’ve been through too much.”
“Prove to me that you’re pregnant, Delphine, and that my husband is the father of your unborn child. Do that, and I promise I’ll divorce him myself and make sure he marries you.”
Delphine froze mid-step.
The room fell into a suffocating silence. Even Gabriel’s breathing grew quieter.
But Isla didn’t relent. She stepped closer, chin lifted high, radiating confidence.
“You have two days,” she said coldly. “Two days to provide proof to me and the entire Wyndham family that you, Delphine Winthrope, are truly carrying my husband’s child. Bring your evidence. Only then can we talk.”
Gone was the quiet, soft-spoken woman Delphine and Gabriel once knew. Isla was claiming what was hers, refusing to back down until she had Gabriel entirely to herself.
Gabriel watched her silently, a flicker of pride and surprise shining in his eyes.
Delphine’s lips trembled, but instead of replying, she spun on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her with a sharp finality.
The chapter closes on a tense and charged confrontation, where Isla’s quiet strength and unwavering resolve shine through amidst the swirling emotions of jealousy, betrayal, and heartbreak. Her demand for truth and proof not only asserts her position but also signals a turning point in her relationship with Gabriel and Delphine. The vulnerability and pain exposed in Delphine’s tears contrast sharply with Isla’s composed defiance, highlighting the complexity of their intertwined pasts and present conflicts.
Gabriel’s conflicted demeanor underscores the emotional weight of the moment, caught between past promises and present realities. Isla’s firm stance and Gabriel’s subtle acknowledgment hint at the fragile balance of trust and doubt that will shape what comes next. As Delphine storms away, the unresolved tension lingers, leaving the characters poised on the edge of revelation and change, bound by love, loyalty, and the harsh demands of truth.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions and power struggles between Isla, Gabriel, and Delphine, heightening the tension that has already begun to simmer. Isla’s bold challenge to Delphine sets the stage for a confrontation that will test loyalties and reveal hidden truths, leaving readers wondering how Delphine will respond under the weight of such a daring ultimatum. The delicate balance of trust and jealousy between Isla and Gabriel is poised to shift, with emotions running high and the stakes growing ever more personal.
As the days tick down, the characters’ vulnerabilities and motivations will come to the forefront, forcing each of them to confront their past decisions and the consequences that follow. The chapter will explore the complexity of love, betrayal, and the desperate fight to protect what one holds dear, all while keeping readers on edge about what proof Delphine might bring and how it will impact the fragile dynamics within the Wyndham family. Expect an emotionally charged narrative filled with subtle power plays, unexpected revelations, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
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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