Chapter 117
Chapter 117:
Phyllis faltered under the weight of Gabriela’s unblinking stare, a twinge of unease threading through her simmering anger.
She had no doubt that Gabriela would make good on her threat and drag them both into hell.
“I’m perfectly happy with Dustin. We’re getting married tomorrow—why on earth would I waste my time provoking you? Get over yourself,” Phyllis snapped. With that, she spun on her heel, retreating to her bedroom in a huff. She threw herself onto the bed, willing her pulse to settle.
She wanted a good night’s sleep, hoping she would look breathtaking for Dustin the next day.
Once the door clicked shut behind her, Gabriela felt a heaviness settle over her. The confrontation left her utterly drained, not from fear but from years of enduring the same weary cycle.
Since high school, she’d stopped counting on Marie or Josh, clawing her way through every exam and tuition payment alone. She’d earned her degrees, carved out her career, and now stayed rooted in this place for one reason only—because she wasn’t leaving without reclaiming the house that had been stolen from her.
Watching her mother’s hard-built business fall into the hands of people she loathed was a humiliation Gabriela refused to swallow.
Josh might have promised to give the house back, but she knew Marie would guard it like a rabid dog.
And freeing her mother’s burial plot from Marie’s grasp—so her mother could truly rest—was another battle she had to win.
To accomplish all of that, she needed two things: money and the right allies. She swore to work harder than ever, chasing every opportunity until she had both.
M𝗼s𝗍 𝗿𝘦аd 𝗍hiѕ 𝗐𝗲𝖾𝗸 𝗈𝗻 𝗴𝗮𝘭𝘯𝗼𝘃е𝘭𝘀.с𝗈𝗺
But money took time to build, and tomorrow demanded her attention first. The thought of Phyllis’s smug little smirk made her want to show up dazzling, steal the spotlight, and watch that arrogance crack.
She’d already chosen her weapon: the gown she’d kept after attending a banquet with Wesley that night—a dress that had turned heads before, and would again.
Just as she reached for the gown to take it out for a fitting, her gaze drifted to an ornate box resting on the side table. Wesley had mentioned it earlier, saying it was a return gift from Brenden.
Though Gabriela had little interest in anything from Brenden, curiosity nudged her to lift the lid.
Inside lay a pristine white dress, paired with a necklace featuring a single ruby teardrop that glimmered faintly in the light. A matching bracelet rested beside it, its fine craftsmanship hinting at a steep price.
The dress lacked the extravagant flair of the one from SK Elite Boutique, yet Gabriela decided to slip it on. Its design was clean and understated, but when she saw her reflection, she was taken aback—the fabric draped over her with an effortless grace, exuding a quiet, refined luxury she hadn’t expected.
Gabriela couldn’t help but be impressed by Brenden’s surprisingly refined taste. Even more unexpectedly, he had remembered to prepare a thick coat for her this time.
Once she’d changed, her gaze lingered on the bracelet clasped around her wrist. After a moment’s thought, she decided against wearing the new one from the gift box.
Then she composed a courteous message to “NotASaunders.” “Thanks for gifting me this gorgeous dress, Mr. Saunders. The wedding begins at 5:30 PM tomorrow at the Deluxe Hotel. Can you get there on time p>
Her message vanished into the chat without a reply. Gabriela’s certainty faltered. Brenden was unpredictable at the best of times—would he even bother showing up tomorrow?
Playing it safe, she logged into a rent-a-date site, wired over a three-thousand-dollar deposit, and booked a strikingly handsome young man who seemed like a reliable choice.
After picking up a tailored suit for Brenden, she was left with barely six thousand in her account. Watching her savings dwindle by half again made her chest tighten with regret.
Before long, the house buzzed with noise as Josh and Marie returned, brimming with cheer while putting the final touches on the wedding preparations.
Thankfully, Gabriela had been smart enough to reserve a hotel room. She told Josh she had work to wrap up and slipped out.
Marie shot her retreating figure a frosty glance and muttered, “Phyllis’s wedding is tomorrow, and Gabriela can’t be bothered to help at all—just how ungrateful can she be p>