Chapter 629
Chapter 629:
Gabriela couldn’t bear to hear Stewart continue.
She understood that once his words filled the space between them, their friendship would shatter beyond repair.
She pivoted to leave, but Stewart’s grip tightened around her arm, anchoring her in place with desperate determination.
“Gabriela, from the very first moment I laid eyes on you, you carved yourself into my memory p>
R𝗈𝘮а𝘯cе 𝗮ո𝖽 р𝘢ѕ𝘀іo𝗻 oո ѕ.с𝗼m
Back then, Gabriela had been just a college freshman. Maturity hadn’t yet touched her features, leaving her face soft and unmarked by the world’s harsh lessons.
To Stewart, she had seemed fragile as spun glass.
Yet her hands possessed magic. The deep-sea city model she had crafted from nothing but imagination and skill had haunted his thoughts for years afterward.
She had arrived at his company repeatedly, her voice unwavering as she championed software development for the visually impaired—all for Allan’s sister.
When success finally crowned her efforts, she threw herself into the work alongside the development team, gathering information with relentless passion. Her lips cracked from dehydration and her eyes burned from exhaustion, yet she never complained.
That year, something shifted inside Stewart—an instinctive need to shield her from the world’s cruelty.
Years later, when fate brought them together again, she had transformed. Radiance poured from her like sunlight, her laughter bright enough to banish shadows. The scars of her childhood had become invisible, buried beneath layers of hard-won confidence.
She moved through the world with skill that impressed him, intelligence that challenged him, and beauty that stole his breath.
In Stewart’s eyes, Gabriela existed without flaws.
He murmured, “I care for you deeply. I’ve carried these feelings for longer than I can measure, and you p>
Heir to the Williams dynasty, a man born with every advantage life could offer, Stewart found his voice trembling like a schoolboy’s. His heart thundered against his ribs as he forced out the words.
“Is there even the smallest chance you might feel something for me in return p>
“No.” Gabriela’s answer cut through the air without hesitation. “Stewart, romantic love isn’t what I feel for you. We’re friends, nothing more p>
She delivered her rejection with surgical precision.
“Am I truly so unworthy?” Stewart’s voice cracked with disbelief, his confidence crumbling. “You didn’t even pause to consider it p>
“You’re not unworthy.” Gabriela straightened her spine, her gaze steady and kind, yet immovable. “You’re handsome enough to turn heads, capable enough to command respect, wealthy enough to buy kingdoms. You lack the arrogance that poisons so many men born to privilege p>
Stewart, alcohol still clouding his thoughts, responded with a voice roughened by emotion. “You paint me as perfection itself, yet you crushed my hopes without a second thought p>
Gabriela’s laughter rippled between them, unexpected and genuine.
“You are remarkable, but so am I. I’ve built my independence stone by stone, lived each day through my own strength and determination. Your love confession proves your excellent judgment p>
Her expression remained serene, her eyes clear as mountain streams.
“But my heart doesn’t echo your feelings, and I won’t accept you simply because you are in love with me p>
Stewart’s laughter came soft and wondering, as if he had discovered something precious and strange.