Chapter 445
Chapter 445:
Gabriela’s joking seriousness made Tessa’s chest tighten with warmth. “Gabriela, you’re too kind,” she whispered, eyes stinging. “I can’t keep dragging you down with me p>
Her father’s slap had shifted something inside her. She didn’t even feel anger anymore — just a quiet, hollow surrender.
If ruin was waiting for her, then she would walk straight into it with Fulton.
“Did you hear what happened earlier today?” Gabriela asked softly.
𝘠оu𝗋 nех𝘵 𝖿а𝘃𝗼𝗋і𝘵𝗲 𝗿𝗲a𝖽 𝗶s о𝗇 g𝖺𝘭ո𝘰v𝖾𝗅ѕ.сo𝘮
Tessa gave a small, solemn nod.
Gabriela had taken her in without hesitation, and Tessa hated the idea of making life harder for her.
“Tessa, look at this,” Gabriela said, unlocking her phone.
On the screen, a video played: Fulton getting pelted with eggs, Raven screeching, grappling wildly with another woman. The scene was chaotic and pathetic.
“As long as we’re in the right, nothing can crush us,” Gabriela said, firm.
The sight of Raven being shoved around by a woman her own age tugged a reluctant smile from Tessa’s lips.
Gabriela’s eyes gentled, but her voice carried weight. “Promise me you won’t do anything reckless. Whatever it is, you’ll tell me first. And I’ve already asked someone to look into that attack from college — the night you were cornered in the alley p>
If they could track down those men, it might finally open a way out.
Tessa let out a crooked smile. “Alright p>
But inside, she knew it was useless.
That alley had been dim, lit by weak, patchy streetlamps. Every shadow had stretched long and warped. Every face had blurred. Those men had disappeared afterward without leaving a trace.
And even if someone found them now, what would it change?
People only wanted to repeat one thing: Fulton ruined his leg for her.
Gabriela’s voice dropped, threaded with doubt. “Something about it doesn’t sit right with me. Fulton doesn’t seem like the type to throw himself in front of danger for a woman who’d already turned him down p>
Tessa’s breath caught. “Are you saying Fulton might have…” She couldn’t finish.
That he’d staged the entire attack with those men — just to force her into gratitude, and then into his life.
The idea flickered across Tessa’s mind, sending a chill through her. But she forced it away almost immediately.
Sacrificing a leg was far too steep a price for any staged scheme.
Gabriela answered with quiet certainty. “It’s just a theory for now. Hold on and wait for me to update you p>
“Alright,” Tessa murmured, though her eyes dimmed with sadness.
She leaned forward and pulled Gabriela into a trembling hug, her voice thick. “Gabriela, you’re incredible. Thank you p>
By the next morning, Ken went to knock on Tessa’s door to call her for breakfast — only to find the room empty.
Everything had been tidied with care. The bed was neatly made.
Sometime during the night, without a sound, she was gone.