Chapter 17
When Violet really walked away, it felt like a huge chunk of Isabella’s heart had been ripped out.
Behind her, Ruby gently supported her.
“Mom, don’t worry. If Vivi doesn’t want you anymore, I’ll stay by your side for the rest of my life.”
Her words sliced straight through Isabella like a knife–sharp and unrelenting.
For the first time, Isabella began to waver. Had she really done the right thing, letting things get this bad between her and her own daughter just for Ruby’s sake?
Gabriel had suffered a serious leg injury, and the Martins sent people to rush him to the
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hospital.
He was still unconscious when they arrived. Stand and Isabella asked Ruby to take care of him during his recovery.
But although she was physically there, her mind was elsewhere–nowhere near Gabriel.
She had only pursued him in the first place because he was a high–quality catch. But now? He was practically a cripple.
Who in their right mind would want to spend their life with a disabled man?
All she could think about was Xavier -handsome, wealthy, desirable.
No. She couldn’t waste another second on Gabriel. She needed to go find Xavier.
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Just as she stood up to leave, Gabriel stirred awake.
“Rue… have you been the one taking care of me this whole time?” His face was pale, his body weak.
Ruby froze, then quickly switched back into her gentle facade. “Of course, Gab. I’ve been here with you. How are you feeling?”
Even if she was planning to chase after Xavier, now was not the time to offend Gabriel. No matter how far he fell, he still had the Bennetts behind him–he’d make a decent backup plan.
Gabriel tried to prop himself up on his arms, but the movement pulled at his wound, sending waves of pain through his body and beads of sweat down his face.
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Ruby rushed to support him, her expression full of fake concern. “Gab, the doctor said the bullet hit a major artery. It damaged your bone too. Walking might be… difficult from now on.”
Gabriel’s face went ghostly white. “You mean–I’ll be crippled?”
Ruby didn’t hesitate to exaggerate. “That’s what the doctor made it sound like.
“But don’t worry, Gab,” she added quickly, “I’ll never leave you. You’ve always been like a brother to me. I’ll take care of you.
“If you want to blame someone, blame my sister and Xavier. They’re the ones who did this to you!”
The moment she mentioned Violet, something flickered across Gabriel’s pale
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face. His voice came out hoarse, “This has nothing to do with Vivi. It was Xavier’s doing.”
Ruby’s expression darkened instantly. ‘Even now, he’s still defending Violet?!”
“Gab-” she started, but before she could finish, his mother stormed into the room, rage written all over her face.
“Gabriel! How’s your leg?”
Ruby’s eyes darted. If Gabriel was too weak to act, maybe she could stir up Clarise instead.
“Aunty Clarise,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears, “the doctors said Gab’s leg probably won’t recover. My sister and Xavier went way too far. Even a miracle doctor wouldn’t be able to fix this.”
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Gabriel frowned. ‘Didn’t I just say Vivi had nothing to do with it? Why is she still dragging her into this?‘
But instead of lashing out at Violet, Clarise raised her hand and slapped Ruby across the face.
“Ruby! It’s you again!
“All those years ago, you threw yourself at my son nonstop. Then you ran away right before your engagement party!
“After Vivi came into the picture, the two of them were finally doing well. And now here you are, crawling out of the woodwork again!
“And now you’re trying to pin the blame on someone else? If it weren’t for you, how would my son and Vivi ever end up like this?”
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Vsa ta
Xw slap left Ruby stunned. She instinctively
ted to fight back–but then she
embered: this was Gabriel’s mother. The Sennetts wasn’t someone she could afford
begoffend.
Gabriel furrowed his brow. “Mom, this has nothing to do with Ruby. Please-”
Shut up!” Clarise snapped. “Are you blind and brain–dead? Can’t you see how well Vivi streated you all these years? And you went and cheated on her?! I can’t believe you! “Gabriel, I’m telling you right now–either you beg Vivi to come back, or you and this woman both get out of our family! I will never allow someone like her to become my daughter–in–law!”
And with that, Clarise stormed out of the hospital without even asking about her son’s
