Chapter 250
Chapter 250:
Aubrey pressed, “Does Mr. Moss know p>
“No, he doesn’t,” Gabriela said quickly, shaking her head. “You both have to swear not to tell anyone p>
“Why not?” Aubrey asked, puzzled. “Mr. Moss likes you. If he knew about the baby, he might propose on the spot p>
That was exactly why she couldn’t tell him. He liked her, but she was carrying another man’s child. He would be let down—maybe even repulsed.
𝗕𝖾 𝘁𝗵e 𝘧𝗂𝘳𝗌𝗍 tо 𝘳𝖾𝖺𝗱 𝗈𝘯
“Just promise me, not a word to anyone,” Gabriela insisted.
Aubrey sighed but nodded. “Fine, my lips are sealed p>
Despite being a gossip enthusiast, she held a firm line: she would never betray a friend’s secret. Tessa, naturally more reserved, was even less likely to spill.
Aubrey and Tessa stayed most of the day. After a few glasses of wine, Tessa suddenly leaned on Gabriela, sobbing. “If I end up with nowhere to go, would you take me in p>
Her outburst stunned Gabriela and Aubrey.
Gabriela gently patted her back. “Of course I would p>
It took a while to soothe Tessa, who eventually dozed off on the living room couch, sleeping soundly as if she hadn’t slept in ages. Gabriela let her sleep, tucking a blanket over her.
As night fell, Aubrey asked Gabriela to look after Tessa and headed home.
Moments later, Tessa’s phone rang. Still deep in sleep, she didn’t stir, so Gabriela reached for it, but Tessa jolted awake, fumbling to answer. She repeated apologies into the phone, her voice frantic as she promised to rush home immediately. Then she said a quick goodbye to Gabriela.
Concerned by Tessa’s rattled state, Gabriela offered to drive her, but Tessa declined politely.
On Monday at work, Gabriela noticed a glaring bruise under Tessa’s eye.
“What happened to your face?” she asked.
Tessa averted her gaze, nervous. “Oh, it’s nothing. I drank too much that night and tripped down some stairs p>
Her story felt off, but since Tessa clammed up, Gabriela didn’t push.
She had her own worries brewing. Everywhere she went, whispers about her and Wesley followed. She couldn’t fathom why her coworkers loved gossiping in the restroom, of all places. If they weren’t scared of being overheard, they might as well shout it in the halls. And if they were, they should have known someone could be in a stall—like Gabriela was right then.
She overheard their hushed voices.
“Gabriela’s got some luck, snagging Mr. Moss like that p>
“He’s just playing with her. What is there to envy p>
“A fling’s still something. But Mr. Moss doesn’t strike me as the type to mess around. Maybe he’s serious p>
“Gabriela recently had a public dispute with her uncle’s family over a house. It was pathetic. Someone who cuts off family like that? No respectable family would accept her p>
“Her uncle’s family was awful, though p>
“Awful or not, they raised her. Mark my words, even if Mr. Moss wants to marry her, his family won’t allow it p>
“She’s dreaming if she thinks she can climb that high p>
“Exactly. She’s got nothing to match Mr. Moss, yet she’s shamelessly chasing him. It’s cringe-worthy p>
In the past, Gabriela would have stormed out to confront them. But now, it was different. She touched her stomach, fully aware of the chasm between her and Wesley.
His genuine feelings couldn’t bridge their differences.
The gossip stopped as someone else entered. Gabriela stepped out, washed her hands, and forced a smile in the mirror. It was fine—gossip like this wasn’t worth her frustration.
When she was back at her desk, Tessa said, “Mr. Moss is back. He wants you in his office now p>
Gabriela’s smile vanished. Wasn’t Wesley supposed to be gone for a week? Why was he back earlier than expected?