Chapter 396
Chapter 396:
Gabriela’s chest ached. She pressed her hand protectively over the bracelet, shaking her head as tears spilled. “I was wrong, I know. I’ll never say those things again. Please, forgive me p>
Wesley’s expression remained impassive. “Hand it over p>
His cold stare startled her, and she stumbled back a few steps.
Without a word, Wesley reached out, deftly untying the bracelet from her wrist.
He clenched it in his fist and walked away.
Gabriela sank onto the sofa, heartbroken.
In that moment, she was grateful for the café’s soft cushions, a small refuge for her crumbling composure.
She sat motionless, unaware of the hours slipping away until a staff member softly told her the café was closing.
“Sorry, I’ll go,” Gabriela murmured, gathering the scarf and book as she left the café.
р𝘰𝘱𝘂𝗅a𝗋 s𝗍𝗈𝗋𝘪eѕ 𝗈n
She was walking in a daze when suddenly — a car screeched to a stop right beside her. A hand reached out, yanking her inside with swift force.
Two burly men flanked her, gripping her shoulders tightly and warning her not to move as they confiscated her phone.
Was this a kidnapping?
Dread settled heavily in her chest. “Who are you? Where are you taking me p>
No one answered.
The car raced through the night, heading toward an isolated stretch of road.
Gabriela forced herself to stay calm, quietly assessing the situation.
There were three men, including the driver. She knew she couldn’t overpower them.
But they hadn’t restrained her. Perhaps, when the door opened, she could seize a chance to escape.
Before she could form a solid plan, the car halted abruptly.
The men opened the door, shoved her out, and sped off, leaving her sprawled on the ground.
Gabriela’s knee struck a jagged rock, pain shooting through her leg, rendering her unable to stand.
As the car’s taillights vanished, the last trace of light faded.
No streetlights illuminated the area, leaving only darkness.
Under the faint glow of the moon, Gabriela realized she was stranded in a desolate wilderness, surrounded by endless mountains.
They’d taken her phone and abandoned her in a place no car would pass, leaving her to fate.
What wretched luck.
She wondered whom she had crossed and why she was experiencing such a string of misfortunes.
Gabriela sat on the ground for a moment before forcing herself to stand, trying to recall which direction the car had come from.
The cold was merciless, the wind howling with an eerie wail.
Fear gripped her, but she pressed forward, each step a battle against the pain in her knee.
Since she had skipped dinner, exhaustion set in quickly.
Regret crept in — she should’ve eaten something while waiting for Wesley, or at least sipped that hot coffee.
Now, she lacked the energy for sorrow or regret; she might freeze to death out here.
The more she dwelled on it, the heavier her heart grew.
She couldn’t stand the thought of her son Truett growing up without parents, just as she had.
To her relief, she’d left a sizable sum for Truett’s care, entrusted to Farley.
Gabriela’s thoughts spiraled. She walked for what felt like hours, yet the landscape remained unchanged — endless darkness, no escape.
Exhausted and unable to go on, she collapsed to the ground.
The temperature plummeted further, her fingers too stiff to move.
Was this it? Would she really freeze to death by the roadside?