Chapter 349

Chapter 349:

After Myah’s brother passed away, Wesley had stepped in to look after her.

Since she refused to move into the Moss Manor, he bought her a villa instead. When Gabriela knocked on the door, she was greeted by the sight of a yard brimming with white roses.

The garden was pristine, every rose in full bloom, a living sea of ivory.

It was Delia who opened the door. At the sight of Gabriela, her face lit with delight. “Miss Haynes! What a surprise. Have you come to see Miss Espinoza p>

Gabriela returned her smile. “I had a little free time today, so I thought I’d drop by p>

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘯

Though Delia found the visit unexpected, she quickly welcomed her in. But the moment Stewart followed behind, Delia instinctively tried to block his way.

Stewart, all easy charm, introduced himself with a grin. “I’m a friend of Myah’s p>

Momentarily disarmed by his smile, Delia unconsciously stepped aside.

Inside the spacious yard, Myah was crouched among the roses, carefully trimming away stray branches.

Gabriela stopped in her tracks, her gaze softening as memories washed over her—Myah as a little girl, tugging at her sleeve, eager for her to help plant flowers.

Her eyes glistened with tears.

Sensing someone nearby, Myah turned sharply. “Delia, who’s here p>

Gabriela hurried forward, her voice gentle. “Myah p>

Recognizing the voice, Myah asked in surprise, “Miss Haynes? Really? How do you have time to visit? Did Wesley come with you p>

“I came on my own. He doesn’t know.” Gabriela’s voice lowered as she drew closer. “Myah, I’m sorry I didn’t visit you before now p>

Myah’s body wavered, the scissors slipping from her hand.

Her voice trembled. “Gabriela? Is that really you p>

Choked with emotion, Gabriela nodded. “It’s me p>

For a heartbeat, Myah stood rooted in place, then stumbled toward her. “Gabriela! Where did you go? I wanted to search for you, but since I can’t see, I didn’t even know where to begin p>

“I’m so sorry,” Gabriela whispered, her tears brimming. “I didn’t know you were here p>

Myah clutched Gabriela’s hand with desperate strength, nails digging into her skin. Her excitement was almost frantic. “It doesn’t matter. You’re here now. Just—don’t leave again p>

Gabriela held her hand tighter. “I won’t. I promise. I’ll take care of you p>

“You must mean it.” Myah wept as she threw herself into Gabriela’s arms. “My brother is gone. You can’t leave me again p>

“I’m so sorry,” Gabriela murmured, holding Myah close as tears streamed down her cheeks.

A short distance away, Stewart had been lazily admiring the roses, but when he noticed Gabriela’s tears, he froze.

Never in his life had he seen a woman cry like that—like she was pouring her very soul out through her tears.

But the sight unsettled him for another reason: every time he’d seen Gabriela before, she was the picture of cheer, carefree as sunshine.

He had thought she carried no burdens at all.

Walking closer, Stewart quietly offered them a packet of tissues. “Don’t cry p>

“Thank you p>

Looking into her teary eyes, Stewart was struck by a strange impulse—he wanted to see her smile again, to catch even a glimpse of the warmth she once carried, and not this lingering sadness.

He cleared his throat awkwardly and said, “It’s been years. Try not to let it weigh so heavily on you p>

Gabriela gradually steadied herself, her voice softer as she murmured her gratitude. “Thank you for bringing me to Myah, Mr. Williams p>

Stewart said nothing more.

Gabriela lingered at Myah’s place for a while. Soon, the sky deepened into full darkness.

Myah clung to her sleeve, reluctant to part. “Gabriela, why don’t you stay the night p>

“I can’t.” Gabriela smiled faintly, her hand brushing gently over Myah’s hair. “There are things I need to take care of at home p>

Unwilling yet helpless, Myah walked her to the door. Just as Gabriela reached for the handle, her phone buzzed sharply in her pocket.

It was Wesley.

“Gabriela, where are you p>

Gabriela’s eyes flicked toward Myah, then her mind wandered briefly to Allan. For reasons she couldn’t quite name, a lie slipped from her lips. “I’m at home p>