Chapter 234
Chapter 234:
Tessa was buried in her work, eyes fixed on the endless stack of papers demanding her attention. The year had barely begun, yet she already had reports to complete, projects to launch, and deadlines piling faster than she could catch them. Coupled with the private storms brewing at home and her finances being stretched thin, she felt herself gasping beneath the strain.
Tightly wound, she clung to composure like a frayed thread.
Gabriela lingered nearby, hesitant to interrupt. But Tessa sensed her presence and lifted her gaze with a weary sigh. “Gabriela, is there something you need p>
“Ms. Ortiz,” Gabriela said carefully, “I was wondering if you might know someone interested in buying a bag p>
The question caught Tessa off guard. Her eyes flicked to the item Gabriela held. “You’re selling it p>
Gabriela gave a small nod.
Tessa didn’t pry further. “Alright, I’ll ask around. Just send me some photos p>
Yо𝗎𝘳 ո𝖾x𝘁 𝗳𝖺vorі𝗍𝗲 rеa𝖽 𝗂𝗌 o𝗇
Relief softened Gabriela’s face. “Thank you for your help. If the bag sells, I’d like to take you to dinner p>
Tessa chuckled. “Deal. Don’t expect me to go easy on the menu p>
With that settled, Gabriela checked the time. It was nearly time to head back to Wesley’s office.
The moment she stepped inside, the air felt heavier, taut with unspoken tension. She kept her gaze lowered, quietly preparing Wesley’s coffee before retreating to a corner, careful not to draw attention.
Lately, her interactions with him had shifted into something different. His concern for her strayed past the boundaries of professionalism, edging into something more personal. At times, she even suspected a flicker of affection.
Maybe her appearance had tugged Wesley’s interest in ways that surprised even him. But really, what did it matter? Now that she was pregnant with another man’s baby, there was no chance they would be together.
Wesley’s expression today was darker than usual.
Gabriela had grown used to his mercurial moods and kept silent. Her mind was elsewhere anyway. The pregnancy weighed on her, a secret she carried alone. It hadn’t been planned, but the child was blameless. Abortion was unthinkable. If anything, she would simply push herself harder, earn enough to afford the baby’s expenses, and raise her child healthy, even if it meant doing so without a father.
As the workday wound down, Tessa leaned close to Gabriela, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve asked around. Someone’s interested in your bag p>
Hope flickered in Gabriela’s eyes. “Seriously p>
Brenden had dismissed it outright, telling her to throw it away as though it were nothing. But Gabriela knew better. That limited-edition piece wasn’t just a handbag; it was a ticking time bomb, one she was desperate to unload before it detonated. A sale meant freedom—or at the very least, peace of mind.
Clutching the bag, she joined Tessa in the elevator, only to freeze when the door slid open to reveal Wesley.
His gaze zeroed in instantly, hard and unyielding. The color in his face darkened. He’d told her to get rid of it. Why, then, was it still here?
Gabriela felt the weight of his eyes like a spotlight. On instinct, she shifted the bag behind her back, as though it were contraband she had no right to hold. The gesture made his expression tighten. Was that bag really worth defending so desperately?