Chapter 10
Ruby wanted to call out to Gabriel, but he was already too far ahead.
Since she’d come back, this was the first time he’d left without looking back.
Only when he disappeared from sight did Ruby reluctantly step back to stand beside her father.
Alexander glanced at her, hesitation thick in his voice. “Rue, I’m aware you used to care about Gabriel, but it was you who chose to leave him back then.”
“Now that he’s family–your brother–in–law- you both really should keep some distance. Otherwise…”
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Before he could say more, Isabella interrupted sharply. “That’s enough. She’s just returned, and you’re already scolding her?”
“Our Rue is an amazing girl–there are plenty of men lining up to marry her. Like she would ever be interested in her own brother–in–law! Don’t say things like that again–I don’t want to hear it.”
Taking Ruby’s hand, Isabella led her upstairs, her tone warm. “Sweetheart, I brought back so many gifts for you from Italy–come take a look.”
Meanwhile, in Gabriel’s villa, he sat alone in the living room late into the night.
He sat there, waiting for Violet to return.
After all the years she had loved him, he
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found it impossible to accept that she could simply leave like that.
Only a faint light glowed, shadows falling over Gabriel’s face, making his expression unreadable. Restlessness hung around him like a cloud.
Suddenly, the quiet was broken by the sound of the passcode lock–the door was opening. His eyes brightened immediately. It had to be Violet.
But when the door swung open and Ruby stepped inside, the hope in his gaze disappeared.
“What are you doing here?” Gabriel frowned.
Ruby hesitated, caught off guard.
He used to say they never had enough time
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together. Now, it looked like he didn’t want to be around her at all.
“Gab, it’s so late… Weren’t you waiting for me?”
She moved over, sitting beside him. Turning sideways, she leaned into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
At her touch, he pulled away instinctively- but she held on tight. “What’s wrong with you today?” she asked softly. “You seem… different.”
Gabriel didn’t know how to respond.
What was happening to him? Didn’t he always think he didn’t have feelings for Violet?
Now that their divorce was final, he ought to
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be feeling free.
Even without the baby, he and Ruby had a chance to begin again and try for another child. Yet, somehow, it still didn’t feel right.
No. If the separation was real, it should have come from him.
He had to find her.
“Rue, has your sister reached out to you in the past few days?”
The warmth rising in Ruby’s chest instantly cooled, but she kept her face steady.
“Gab, Vivi never liked me–even as a kid. Why would she contact me now? What’s going on? Is she missing?”
Gabriel couldn’t bring himself to say the
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word “divorce.”
He gave a vague answer. “She’s been feeling troubled recently and has gone away from home. She even changed her phone number. Could you do me a favor and have Mom reach out to her? Ask Vivi to come back.”
Ruby clenched her fists, grinding her teeth to keep her frustration at bay.
“Rue, Vivi’s your sister. It’s not safe for a woman to be out alone. Please–help me this once.”
Looking into his eyes, she saw genuine worry. She couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Gab… have you fallen for her?”
In that moment, a chill ran through him. He was at a loss for words.
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Did he really love her?
He couldn’t say for certain.
For three years, Violet had been a constant presence in his life. Now that she was gone for good… he found himself missing her more than he expected.
Still, he kept convincing himself that his love was for Ruby. What he felt for Vivi was nothing more than obligation… and regret.
“Rue, you’re the one I truly love. But since she’s still my wife, I can’t bear the thought of anything bad happening to her. I’ve never asked you for anything until now–this is the first time.”
A weight settled in Ruby’s chest.
It was true–Gabriel had never once asked
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her for anything. But this time, it was for someone else.
A brief shadow of doubt crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by a spark of cunning. “Fine. I’ll have Mom reach out to her tomorrow.” She drew nearer, her voice lowering and taking on a teasing tone. “Now… what’s your plan to show me some gratitude tonight?”
She deliberately started untying his tie, sliding downward with intention.
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