Chapter 52
Gabriel
“Your room is ready,” Violet says as she comes back downstairs.
Your room.
“Thanks.” My eyes hold hers before she snaps them away.
She can’t even look at me.
“Where will you sleep?” I ask. “In Dom’s room.”
I nod, unsure what to say next.
“Good night.” She disappears up the stairs and leaves me alone. I look around the quiet house. It’s empty from people and yet feels full, as if the love they share is a tangible force.
My phone beeps a text and I glance at the screen, Ariana.
I drop to sit on the couch before opening it.
My heart is broken.
Come back to me.
I love you.
I close my eyes in regret. I imagine Ariana heartbroken back in New York.
Violet’s words come back to me… I’m telling you this with all sincerity, so please listen. Go back and marry Ariana. Don’t let go of something wonderful for an average night seven years ago that meant nothing.
Is that what I’m doing?
A lead ball sits in my stomach, my life is a mess.
Fuck…
The sound of Dom’s regulated breathing sounds through his bedroom like a drone. The sun is just peeking through the curtains, and I don’t think I slept a wink all night.
How can I be married to someone else while knowing that I still have feelings for you.
I exhale heavily. I don’t need this drama in my life, and after freaking out all night, I have made a decision. I’m not thinking about it again.
I slowly climb out of bed, put my robe on and go to the bathroom. I catch sight of myself in the mirror and cringe, oh
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hell…I look like crap. I wash my face, tie my hair up into a bun and make my way downstairs.
“Good morning,” I hear his deep voice purr.
Glancing up, I see Gabriel standing at my coffee machine, he’s freshly showered and wearing navy suit pants, his white shirt is open and his tanned broad chest and torso are on display.
I am instantly reminded of our mornings back in his office.
“Coffee?” He raises his eyebrow in question.
“What are you doing?” I pull the cords of my robe tighter, suddenly feeling very exposed.
“What does it look like?” He holds his coffee cup up.
“It looks like you are being a poser, that’s what.”
He gives me a slow sexy smile as he sips his coffee. “I should ask what are you doing.”
“What do you mean, what am I doing?”
“Why are you wearing that hideous dressing gown?”
My mouth falls open as I look down at myself. “This is a beautiful dressing gown,” I gasp.
“If you’re ninety.”
“Listen…”
“We need to talk.” He cuts me off.
“You’re damn right we do,” I whisper.
“I have to go back to New York, but I’ll be back on the weekend.” He sips his coffee casually. “We can tell the children
then.”
“Tell them?”
“I’ve made the decision and I am staying in their lives; you can’t ask me not to. I am their father, Violet; I want them
to know. My new life with them needs to start, and I’m not putting this off any longer.”
My heart sinks and I know he’s right, I can’t fight this anymore, the writing is already on the wall. I nod in resignation.
“I move into my new place on Saturday,” he continues.
“Your new place?” I frown.
“I’ve rented a property in town.”
“Here?”
Chapter 52
“There was nothing suitable to buy at the moment, but I’m on the lookout.”
I feel faint.
“You’re actually…moving here?”
“I’ll be splitting my time evenly between here and New York. I’m setting up a second office here and can do everything else by Zoom.” What the hell?
“I have an opening for a PA if you’re interested in the position.” He winks.
“I’m good.”
“I hear the Christmas bonuses are worth it.” He smirks.
“Hard pass.” I snatch my coffee cup from him. “When are you going back?”
“This morning.” His eyes hold mine. “Just waiting for them to wake up so
I can see them before I leave.”
I sip my coffee, unsure what to say next.
“What are you doing today?” he asks.
I shrug. “I have the week off.”
“Oh.” He thinks for a moment. “I would ask you all to come to New York with me, but…” But what?
“I’m in the middle of a situation in New York and now is not a good time.”
His mother.
“I wouldn’t go anyway. Did you think about what I said last night?” I ask him.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’ve already made my decision.”
“It’s not too late, Gabriel. You can still have it all.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning that I want you to be happy, you can still be a father, see your children and marry Ariana.”
“That’s not the all I want, Violet.” His eyes hold mine.
“Gabriel… It’s not going to happen between us.”
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“Not now.”
“Not ever.” I glance down to see the ripples on his stomach, and then, remembering where I am, I snap my eyes back up to his.
A trace of a smile crosses his face.
