Chapter 489
Chapter 489:
Realizing she couldn’t win, Fiona pushed back her chair and walked out. “Brenden, if I so much as speak to you again, may lightning strike me!” she hissed, her voice shaking with anger.
Brenden shot upright, face flushed. “Ha! Same here! Don’t you dare step foot in my place again — I’m resetting the password right this second p>
Her heels clicked faster across the floor, each step louder than the last as she stormed off.
Even after sliding into the back seat of the car, her fury still burned hot in her chest, her hands clenched tight in her lap.
The driver peeked at her through the rearview mirror, uneasy. “Miss Dewitt… would you like me to head straight home p>
“Hold it,” Fiona snapped, her jaw tight. “We’re not leaving yet p>
Nearly half an hour later, Gabriela’s figure appeared in the distance, and Fiona’s brow pinched tight without her even realizing.
She always claimed she wanted Gabriela and Brenden together, yet the moment Gabriela stepped into the house, irritation churned hotter inside her. The strange unrest made no sense, but still, she gave the driver no signal to start the car.
Gabriela slipped off her shoes at the door and crossed into the living room.
The sound of her steps reached Brenden, and with a cocky grin he called out, “Fiona, back so soon? I knew you couldn’t bring yourself to leave p>
Silence answered him. He twisted his head with effort, only to find Gabriela standing in the doorway.
𝗥o𝗺𝘢𝗻c𝗲 𝗻𝘰𝘃𝗲𝗅𝘴 𝗼𝗇
Panic flickered through him. He didn’t want her to see the ugly whip marks streaking his back, so he fumbled to cover himself. The movement tugged at his wounds, forcing a grimace across his face.
Gabriela hurried forward, steadying him before he could strain further. “Stay still. Just say what you need p>
His brows drew together. “What brought you here p>
She said calmly, “Fiona reached out and filled me in on everything.” Her eyes lingered on the cut across his face. Guilt stirred within her as she said softly, “Mr. Saunders, I’m really sorry for your suffering. Thank you for what you have done p>
Brenden felt uneasy under Gabriela’s earnest gaze.
“There’s no need to thank me. It was nothing,” he muttered, shifting slightly in his seat.
The mood turned heavy, silence stretching between them until it grew almost stifling.
After a moment, Gabriela’s eyes drifted toward the dishes left on the table, and she reached out as if to gather them up.
Before she could, Brenden stopped her. “Leave it for now, Gabriela. Sit with me — I have something to say p>
He gave the cushion beside him a small, deliberate pat.
Startled by the gravity in his tone, Gabriela hesitated, then crossed the room and lowered herself onto the seat at his side.
Brenden leaned closer, his voice tinged with urgency. “Yesterday, I put on a dress, the veil, and even doused myself in a perfume that smelled like yours. For a moment, Wesley really thought I was you. He took my hand, and I could feel it — he wanted to walk away with me p>
Gabriela’s fingertips quivered.
If she had shown up at that party to stop his engagement to Rebecca, would Wesley have chosen her too?
Before she could sort through the thought, Brenden pressed on, his gaze locking onto hers. “Gabriela, believe me, Wesley’s heart is with you p>