Chapter 12%
Third Person’s POVI
Norris froze in his tracks and quickly ducked behind the door.
With her back turned to him, Gabrielle looked nothing like the gentle, refined woman she used to be. She was ranting like a street brawler.}] Her phone was on speaker, and the caller’s harsh voice echoed through the cramped office.
“Gabrielle! Don’t think I don’t know what you are. You’ve been around the block more times than I can count. I know exactly how many men you were with back then. Don’t try to use Matthew to threaten me. I’m not falling for that crap.”
The aggression on the other end of the call seemed to break her confidence as Gabrielle’s tone instantly softened.
“Teddy… I just need seven grand. I’m back in the US now.“>
The other side went quiet, signaling her to keep talking.”
“Remember that guy who confessed to me a few years ago? He’s still hung up on me. And guess what? His family’s filthy rich. Once I get him, forget seven grand. I can give you seventy grand.“}
Teddy sounded skeptical, so Gabrielle rushed to explain, “Even if he doesn’t want me, I’m his mom’s primary physician now. I told him I studied psychology overseas and he totally bought it. He even arranged for me to work at this hospital. Even if he doesn’t want me, his mother won’t be able to say no. I’ve got both sides covered. Still having second thoughts?“}
The two continued talking like they were partners in a scheme.§
But behind the door, Norris had begun to tremble.
It hit him like a freight train. Gabrielle had been lying to him all along.”
The child wasn’t his. And Clarissa… she’d lost her life because of this lie.
His mother had battled severe depression for years, and Gabrielle had claimed she could help as she claimed she studied psychology abroad.
But now, it was all a scam.
Norris’s vision blurred. He couldn’t believe how completely she had played him for a fool.”
Fifteen years of love, youth, and hope all turned to ashes in an instant.
Rage surged in his chest. With a bang, he slammed the door shut, making Gabrielle jump in shock.
She turned, and when she saw him standing there, her face drained of color. She fumbled to end the call.
For a second, she panicked, but then forced a smile onto her face.}
“Norris… what a surprise! What are you doing here?“}
But Norris stormed up to her and slapped her hard across the face.}
“Drop the act!”
Her head snapped to the side, and she was too scared to look up. She knew he must’ve heard everything. But she couldn’t admit it. If she did, it would be over. There’d be no way out.”
And if that happened, no one would help her repay the millions she owed in gambling debts.
So she forced a confused smile and tried to bluff her way through.
“Norris, what are you talking about? I don’t understand…“}
But Norris didn’t waste another word. He pulled out his phone and played the recording.
The moment she heard her own voice from earlier, Gabrielle’s heart sank. She couldn’t even pretend to smile anymore.
“Norris, please… let me explain. It’s not what you think-“}
He shoved her hand away and grabbed her by the collar.
His voice was ice–cold, filled with fury. “Don’t ever call my name again! Gabrielle, you’re still trying to lie to me? I’m warning you. Take Matthew and get out. Now! Or I swear, I won’t be so polite next time.”
He had spared her for the sake of her father, who had once saved his mother’s life. That was the only reason he hadn’t ruined her completely.
But she wasn’t even a US citizen anymore, and with what she’d done, she could easily be deported.”
Gabrielle knew she couldn’t leave. If she went home broke, her creditors would kill her.”
At that moment, she knew there was no longer any way back into Norris’s life. So once he left, she turned her attention to his mother.” Norris had barely gotten a few hours of sleep when the hospital called. He rushed over immediately.”
But when he arrived and saw the empty hospital room, his face turned pitch black.
“What the hell are you security guards doing? If you can’t do your job, then leave! Where’s the surveillance footage? Have you checked it yet?”
8:56 PM
Third Person’s POV
