Chapter 275
Chapter 275:
Dustin pulled up in front of Rosemont Gardens.
He knew this place well. After marrying Phyllis, he had lived here briefly, savoring the comfort and extravagance. But less than a month later, he had been thrown out.
If he hadn’t ended things with Gabriela—if he had known she was the true heir to the Haynes Group—he could have stood beside her, helping her reclaim her home and the company. Then she would have had no one to rely on except him. The Haynes Group itself could have been his.
The more he dwelled on it, the deeper the regret carved into him. Desperation rising, he pulled out his phone and dialed Gabriela’s number.
At that moment, Gabriela was seated at the dining table with Tyler and Farley, enjoying a warm dinner. When she saw Dustin’s name flash across the screen, her brows knit in distaste. She hung up immediately.
The phone buzzed again. Reluctantly, Gabriela accepted the call.
Her tone was guarded. “What do you want p>
She couldn’t help but wonder what scheme he was plotting this time.
“Gabriela, I am so sorry,” Dustin said, his voice trembling with what he believed to be sincerity.
Her vigilance did not waver. “What are you trying to say p>
𝗨р𝗱𝖺tе𝗌 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳y 𝗐е𝖾𝗄 𝗈n.с𝗈𝗺
“I’m outside your house,” he whispered, almost pleading. “Please… can we talk p>
“No,” Gabriela cut him off coldly. There was no hesitation in her voice. What kind of fool did he take her for? Outside, the wind howled, the night was bitter with cold. And here she was, warm and content, enjoying a delicious meal. Trade comfort for misery just to stand shivering in the dark with Dustin? Not a chance.
“I know I screwed up!” Dustin’s tone dropped into a plea, his voice thick with feigned remorse. “I finally understand how terribly I treated you. Just give me a chance. Let me make it right p>
“Make it short,” Gabriela muttered flatly.
Farley had just handed her a perfectly seared slice of beef, and her attention lingered on the food, not on Dustin’s pitiful voice. His words only made her skin crawl.
“Gabriela, I know you despise me,” Dustin pressed on, his desperation leaking through every word. “But we can start over. I’ll divorce Phyllis immediately! The moment it’s finalized, we’ll get married. What do you say p>
Her lip curled in disgust. “You are out of your mind,” Gabriela spat before hanging up without hesitation.
If he had been standing before her, she might have slapped him just to silence his shameless mouth. Although honestly, hurting her hand on his face wasn’t worth the effort. Eating was far more rewarding.
Tyler placed a piece of tender fish on her plate. But the moment the scent hit her, Gabriela’s stomach lurched violently. She bolted to the bathroom and retched until her throat burned.
When she finally emerged, pale and shaken, Farley was waiting just outside, his expression grave.
“Gabriela,” he said, studying her closely, “tell me the truth. Are you pregnant p>
The signs were unmistakable. He had seen her mother go through the same thing.
Gabriela lowered her gaze, unease tightening her chest. “Farley, Tyler… please. Don’t tell anyone p>
Tyler froze, his mind reeling, before fury surged through him. Rolling up his sleeves, he growled, “Who’s the bastard? Tell me his name, and I’ll kill him p>
Gabriela rushed forward, grabbing his arm. “No, don’t do anything reckless p>
Tyler snapped, eyes burning, “Tell me, Gabriela. Who is the father p>
Her throat tightened. The last thing she wanted was another chain tying her to Brenden. With quiet desperation, she begged, “Tyler, please… I don’t want to say. Don’t force me p>
Seeing her fragile expression, Tyler’s anger melted into helplessness. He clenched his fists, but in the end, he let it go.
Inwardly, Tyler cursed that man. Whoever the father was, he must have been a scoundrel, too cowardly to take responsibility.
Meanwhile, at the manor, Wesley was in the middle of dinner when an unexpected sneeze shook him. The sound startled Loretta.
“Are you sick?” she fussed immediately. “I told you, Wesley, things aren’t right without Gabriela here. Only she knows how to care for you properly p>
Miriam added her agreement without hesitation. “We have to find a way to bring Gabriela back. She belongs in this house p>
Wesley had no answer. He sat there in silence, cornered by their accusations. To them, he was the reason Gabriela had left. And yet, deep down, the truth was that he was the one who longed for her most.
Elsewhere, Dustin lingered outside Rosemont Gardens, the night air heavy with smoke. Half-burned cigarette butts lay scattered at his feet, the hours slipping by as regret gnawed at him.