Chapter 203
Chapter 203:
After finalizing their next move, Gabriela enjoyed a hearty meal with Farley. Then she carried a deck chair into the courtyard and let herself sink into its gentle embrace beneath the radiant sun.
The sunlight poured over her like liquid gold, warming her skin and brightening the quiet corners of the garden.
Two young olive trees stood sentinel nearby, their branches bowed under the weight of delicate blossoms, filling the air with a heady, sweet fragrance. Gabriela’s gaze lingered on the trees, distant and unfocused, as if somewhere else entirely.
Gone was the usual spark of playful innocence in her expression; in its place, her eyes were shadowed, carrying the faintest trace of lingering resentment.
Farley observed her quietly from the side, a soft sigh escaping him.
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There had always been a hidden chamber within Gabriela’s heart, a shadowed enclave that no light could penetrate.
Since the events of four years ago, she had closed herself off from everyone. Gabriela remained there, still and solitary, until the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon.
Farley strolled over, cradling a jug of homemade wine, his face bright with a mischievous grin. “Gabriela, you have to try my latest batch p>
Her gaze, previously fixed on the olive trees, softened immediately, and she was that sweet, familiar Gabriela once more. She smiled. “Okay, I will take a sip p>
Alcohol always had its peculiar effect on her. While she could usually hold her own, some drinks demanded no more than a single taste to send her reeling, leading to foolish antics she never remembered afterward.
The memory of her last tipsy episode in Wesley’s office still haunted her.
Yet the wine’s rich, intoxicating aroma called to her irresistibly. She found herself unable to resist.
“Relax,” Farley said, pouring the amber liquid into two delicate glasses. “The alcohol isn’t very strong. A couple of sips and you’ll be fine p>
Gabriela, aware that she needed to return to Wesley’s place later, drank with restraint—just two glasses.
As dusk painted the sky, she bid Farley farewell and made her way down the narrow alley, her steps lighter with thoughts of a hopeful future.
She didn’t notice the crimson Maserati parked silently along the alley’s edge. In the backseat, a young woman with long, dark purple hair leaned back, her oversized sunglasses hiding most of her face. The tight line of her mouth spoke of cold intent.
“Are you sure it’s her?” she asked.
The driver, equally masked by sunglasses, gave a curt nod. “Yes. It’s her p>
A cruel smile twisted the woman’s lips. “Hit her. Now p>
The driver hesitated, voice low. “Isn’t this a bit extreme p>
“What’s there to fear?” she snapped. “My brother will take care of the fallout p>
A weary sigh escaped the driver. “Shouldn’t we check with him p>
“I’m telling you! Go!” she barked, before he could even finish.
Sensing there was no arguing, the driver slammed the accelerator. The red car lunged forward like a predator, aimed at Gabriela.
Instinctively, Gabriela leapt aside, her heart hammering, but the car clipped her, sending her sprawling to the edge of the road.
Pain flared in her elbow as the vehicle roared past, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of a long-haired woman’s silhouette in the backseat.
Crouched on the roadside, Gabriela pressed her hand to her throbbing elbow, her mind racing as the red blur disappeared into the distance. Despite her thick coat, her elbow throbbed, each movement sending sharp jolts of pain up her arm.
“Crazy! Who drives in a busy neighborhood like that?” she complained.
The car had vanished too quickly for her to catch the license plate or the occupants’ faces; otherwise she would have reported them.
“Are you alright p>
A gentle voice cut through the air, accompanied by a hand extended to help her up.
For reasons she couldn’t explain, Gabriela recoiled, avoiding the hand and rising on her own. “I’m fine. Thanks p>
She looked up to see a young man standing there, his expression calm, almost casual.
“Looks like that elbow took a hit,” he said softly. “Do you need to go to the hospital p>
Gabriela shook her head. “No need. It’s nothing serious p>
With a polite nod, she thanked him and walked away, quickly booking a car through her phone, which arrived within a few minutes.