Chapter 224
Chapter 224:
The merciless cold intensified as the water climbed past her chest, slowly reaching her throat.
Before consciousness abandoned her, Gabriela’s final desperate wish blazed through her fading mind—to glimpse Wesley’s face one last time. She wondered whether he would feel even the briefest flicker of grief upon discovering her lifeless body. Gabriela’s eyes drifted closed as darkness claimed her.
When awareness returned, she found herself cocooned in pristine hospital linens. Warmth enveloped the room—the heater hummed steadily while a thick quilt embraced her form. She felt gloriously, impossibly warm. Gabriela clutched the disinfectant-scented quilt against her chest, emotion crashing over her like a tidal wave that nearly brought tears. She had survived—death had released its grip.
“Gabriela, you’ve awakened p>
A familiar voice pierced her relief, and Gabriela turned to find Brenden watching her with evident concern.
і𝘯𝘴𝘁a𝗇t 𝖺𝗰𝗰eѕ𝘀 𝗈𝗇
Shock rendered her speechless for a moment. “Mr. Saunders, you rescued me p>
“Yeah.” Brenden nodded, guilt gnawing at his conscience.
In truth, Wesley had been her savior. But Gabriela already harbored obvious feelings for him, and learning he had rescued her might cement those affections permanently. Brenden’s thoughts churned with selfish calculation. He told himself, “Wesley, forgive this deception for the sake of my future happiness. I’ll make it up to you later p>
Gabriela suspected nothing. Gratitude flooded her heart completely. Despite Brenden’s notorious reputation as a shameless flirt, he had risked everything to drag her from death’s embrace when it mattered most. She murmured softly, “Thank you for saving my life p>
Brenden studied Gabriela’s pallid lips, his guilt intensifying to an unbearable degree as he found himself unable to acknowledge her heartfelt thanks. Beyond the hospital room door, Wesley stood motionless as stone.
He had just concluded his consultation with Gabriela’s physician. After receiving confirmation that her lungs had escaped permanent damage, he had breathed a sigh of relief—only to be shattered by Gabriela’s grateful words to Brenden. A bitter laugh escaped his throat. What twisted joke was fate playing?
He was the man who had a one-night stand with her. He had pulled her from those freezing waters. His build differed so drastically from Brenden’s—how catastrophically poor must Gabriela’s perception be to confuse him with Brenden repeatedly?
Wesley shouldered the door open and stepped inside. Harsh hospital fluorescents caught his angular features, casting shadows that emphasized his natural air of dangerous authority. Brenden acknowledged him with visible nervousness. Gabriela offered her own tentative greeting.
Wesley ignored both pleasantries, his gaze cutting through Brenden like a blade. “Leave us p>
Brenden wasn’t willing to leave Gabriela alone with Wesley, fearing he might accidentally reveal the truth. But Wesley’s intimidating stare left no room for argument, so he slunk toward the exit with obvious reluctance.
Wesley dragged a chair beside her bed and settled into it. His commanding presence immediately set Gabriela’s nerves ablaze, particularly since her underwater ordeal had left her with reckless thoughts of confessing her forbidden feelings.
“How do you feel? Do you have any pain?” Wesley asked.
“No pain at all. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Moss,” Gabriela responded with practiced haste.
Her limbs felt disconnected and clumsy, while dizziness and overwhelming fatigue clouded her thoughts. Wesley studied her pale face, released a heavy sigh, and moved to draw back the curtains. The night sky stretched endlessly black, identical to that evening four years ago when she had appeared outside his hospital room like an apparition.
He and Gabriela had been confined to the same room twice due to Loretta’s manipulations. They had shared the same bed and enjoyed countless dinners together. Yet she persistently viewed him as nothing more than her employer. Even in mortal danger, she had frantically dialed Farley’s number and sent messages to “NotASaunders p>
Yet she had never once thought to call him.
He planned to clear the air with her—to tell her he was the one she’d had the one-night stand with. Otherwise, she would never see him as a man worthy of her romantic consideration. She would never depend on him or offer him complete trust. This time she had escaped unscathed, but what about future dangers? If another crisis arose, she still wouldn’t seek his help.
Wesley found the very thought of what could happen to her unacceptable.
“Gabriela, I must share something crucial with you now.” He drew a steadying breath, his voice dropping to a low, hypnotic cadence. “On the night of our team-building event, I was the man who had sex with you in Room 1205 p>