Chapter 7 - THE MISUNDERSTANDING THAT BROKE THEM
For three days, Gabriel kept Claire at the mansion.
He became gentler.
Almost impossibly so.
He made sure she ate breakfast.
He sent a car to take her to the clinic.
He learned that she hated roses but loved white lilies.
He discovered that she fell asleep reading.
He even learned how she liked her coffee.
Claire couldn't remember the last time someone had paid attention to such small things.
She was beginning to believe they might actually have something.
Then she saw the photograph.
A woman.
Standing beside Gabriel.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Pregnant.
Claire stared at it.
“Who is she?”
Gabriel looked up.
His face changed.
“Sophia's friend.”
Claire noticed the date.
Seven years earlier.
“Pregnant?”
Gabriel hesitated.
Claire's heart sank.
“Was that your child?”
“No.”
The answer came too slowly.
She stepped back.
“Who was she?”
“Someone from my past.”
“Did you love her?”
Gabriel stood.
“Claire—”
“Did you?”
He said nothing.
She understood silence as an answer.
“You told me I could trust you.”
“You can.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
“I can't.”
That was the final wound.
Claire walked away.
That night, she packed her things.
Gabriel found her at the front entrance.
“You're leaving.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want to become another secret.”
His expression tightened.
“You're not.”
“Then tell me about her.”
“I can't.”
“Goodbye, Gabriel.”
He caught her hand.
“I will not let you walk into danger.”
“You don't get to decide that anymore.”
She pulled free.
“I survived before I met you.”
Then she left.
Gabriel stood in the doorway watching her disappear.
Mason approached.
“You're letting her go?”
Gabriel's jaw tightened.
“She deserves a choice.”
Mason looked at him.
“You're an idiot.”
Gabriel ignored him.
Two hours later, Claire arrived at her apartment.
The lights were already on.
She froze.
Her brother Daniel stepped from the shadows.
“Claire.”
She nearly screamed.
“Daniel?”
He rushed toward her.
“Listen to me.”
She backed away.
“Stay back.”
“Gabriel isn't betraying you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because the woman in that photograph was my wife.”
Claire froze.
“What?”
Daniel's eyes filled with pain.
“She was pregnant with my child.”
Claire stared.
“Then why did Gabriel have her photograph?”
“Because she was killed while protecting Sophia.”
Claire's chest tightened.
“What happened to the baby?”
Daniel looked away.
“The baby died.”
Silence.
“Gabriel blamed himself because he had promised to protect her.”
Claire covered her mouth.
All her anger collapsed into shame.
“I thought…”
“I know.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Gabriel never loved her the way you think.”
“Then why didn't he tell me?”
“Because he promised her family he would never discuss what happened.”
Claire closed her eyes.
Then she heard something outside.
A car door.
Daniel's face changed.
“They found us.”
“What?”
He grabbed her hand.
“Run.”
They barely reached the back exit before gunfire erupted.
Daniel pushed Claire behind a wall.
Three men entered.
One shouted:
“Where is the nurse?”
Claire realized.
They weren't looking for Daniel.
They were looking for her.
She whispered:
“Gabriel.”
Daniel shook his head.
“He can't get here in time.”
But a black SUV screeched to a stop outside.
The doors opened.
Gabriel stepped out.
His expression was ice.
Mason followed.
Gabriel looked directly at Claire.
Relief crossed his face for half a second.
Then fury returned.
“Get her out.”
Mason moved.
The attackers fled.
Gabriel reached Claire.
He pulled her into his arms.
She buried her face against his chest.
“I thought you hated me.”
He held her tighter.
“I've been terrified.”
“Of what?”
“Losing you.”
Claire looked up.
“I’m sorry.”
He brushed her hair away.
“Don't be.”
Then he whispered:
“I love you.”
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
May you like
“I love you too.”
And for the first time, Gabriel smiled without fear.
