Chapter 591

Chapter 591:

Matthew’s throat constricted with emotion.

Gabriela was his daughter. She was meant to lean on him, trust him, and bask in the security of a father’s care.

Yet now, her eyes burned with bitterness when she looked at him.

He spoke deliberately, his voice soft but firm. “Gabriela, you’ve got me all wrong. Rebecca has made mistakes, so she should pay for her actions. I’ll see to it she learns her lesson. I won’t let her hurt you again. Please trust me—I will keep you safe and never let anyone hurt you p>

His words were heartfelt, meant to offer solace and certainty. But when Gabriela heard her name spoken so warmly, a chill ran through her.

Still, with Matthew being so earnest, she couldn’t simply brush him off.

“Mr. Howard, please, come inside,” she said, guiding him into the villa’s cozy living room.

Ken, upon learning who Matthew was, served him tea with a polite smile but a sharp edge to his words. “We only have simple tea here, Mr. Howard. I hope it is not too plain for your refined tastes p>

Matthew’s expression flickered with understanding as he caught the undercurrent in Ken’s tone.

а𝘥𝖽iс𝘁і𝘃𝘦 ո𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗌 o𝗻 ѕ.𝖼𝗼𝘮

Rather than irritation, he felt a quiet gratitude.

At least Gabriela had friends watching over her.

Just then, Farley emerged, carrying a freshly bathed Truett. “Gabriela, Truett has been restless all day. I’m wondering if he is under the weather p>

He stepped into the room, only then noticing the visitor.

After learning about Matthew’s identity, Farley’s expression mirrored Ken’s—cool and distant. He did not even bother with a word of acknowledgment.

Truett stretched out his tiny arms toward Gabriela the moment he saw her.

She scooped him up, soothing him with gentle pats until he calmed.

Matthew’s gaze settled on Truett.

The boy’s delicate features made him utterly endearing. He would occasionally glance at Matthew, babbling nonsense in a way that only added to his charm.

The more Matthew watched, the more his heart warmed.

“Gabriela, could I hold him?” he asked softly.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Howard,” she replied without hesitation. “A friend held him once, and he got peed on. With your esteemed status, it’s probably best not to risk it p>

Matthew sensed the excuse but did not press further.

He rose, slowly taking in the living room’s decor.

Was this where Alanna had later lived?

Did she feel isolated and afraid, raising a child alone?

This very villa was where Gabriela had endured her aunt’s cruelty and her cousin’s torment.

The thought overwhelmed Matthew, urging him to confess the truth and make amends—to finally give Gabriela the life of a cherished daughter.

“Gabriela, I would like to speak with you privately,” he said.

Before she could respond, Farley interjected, “Whatever you need to say, Mr. Howard, you can say it here. Ken and I are her family; we should hear it too p>

Matthew felt a pang of envy at their protectiveness.

This was his daughter, and he should have been the one protecting her.

With measured patience, he replied, “I assure you, I mean Gabriela no harm p>

Farley opened his mouth to argue, but Gabriela cut in, wary of escalating the tension.

The Howard family, despite their polished exterior, was not to be trifled with.

“It’s fine, Farley. I would like to know what he has to say,” she said, moving to pass Truett to him.

But Truett, unusually clingy, wrapped his arms around her and held on tightly, letting out soft whimpers of protest.