When she came to, everything was pitch ck. Her mouth was stuffed with cloth, her limbs bound tight. The only sound was water dripping somewhere in the


    darkness.


    “Drip.”


    “Drip.”


    “Mmph!”


    Terror consumed her. During Gabriel’s early business days, she’d been kidnapped once before.


    That experience had left permanent scars on her psyche.


    So you’re Ste Rivers?”


    Someone was standing in front of her now.


    ‘Mmph mmph!”


    she tried to say: “Who are you?”


    I told you to stay away from Gabriel. Don’t you get it?”


    uddenly light flooded in as the blindfold was ripped away. A masked man stood before her.


    Why won’t you stop clinging to Gabriel? He belongs to Lily! Because of you hanging around, people are calling our Lily a homewrecker.”


    he guy was clearly unhinged, waving a sharp knife inches from her face.


    It’s this face, isn’t it? All because of this face. If I carve it up, Gabriel won’t want you anymore!”


    te pressed back desperately, tears and snot streaming down her cheeks. She didn’t understand why this was happening when she was already nning to


    eave.


    ll she’d done was love someone.


    it thest second, he suddenly stopped.


    Call Gabriel. Tell him you’ll stop bothering him. Tell him you’re a worthless bitch who’s been impersonating Lily.”


    Do it now!”


    Vithout hesitation, Ste grabbed her phone with shaking hands.


    Gabriel picked up, he’d definitely save her.


    1st likest time.


    Sorry, the number you have dialed…”


    Sorry, the number you have dialed…”


    hird try.


    ourth try-still no answer. Her heart sank.


    You trying to mess with me?”


    he man was clearly mentally unstable. Gabriel’s continued silence was making him increasingly agitated. He suddenly kicked Ste hard in the stomach, then


    everal more times in her back.


    harp pain tore through her abdomen. ck spots danced in her vision, and she tasted blood in her throat.


    Hello? Gabriel’s in the shower. Can you call backter?”


    Chapter S


    “Oh, our Lily and Gabriel are together now. Don’t worry about it. Smart of you to back off, but letting you go this easily would be too kind.”


    Ste felt a stabbing pain in her arm, then everything went ck.


    She woke up in the hospital.


    Seeing her conscious, a nurse rushed over with concern. “How are you feeling? Who did you piss off? Your arm was shed pretty bad.”


    She shook her head, then noticed Lily standing in the doorway.


    “Ste, I’m so sorry. That was one of my obsessive fans-1 had no idea he’d do something like this. But I’ve called the police, We’ll definitely get justice for you.” <fn79e6> Newest update provided by fι?dnοvel</fn79e6>


    Lily looked pitiful, like Ste was somehow the one victimizing her.


    The nurse gave Lily a sympathetic look and left. The moment the door closed, Lily’s expression turned ice cold.


    Gabriel’s on a business trip, so I’m handling everything for him.”


    “I told you before to leave Gabriel alone. You just wouldn’t listen.”


    “What exactly can you offer him? Like this kidnapping-Gabriel’spany is expanding, he’s making more enemies every day. Are you going to need him to Cescue you every single time?”


    When the board gives him trouble, can you help him?”


    Wake up. You’repletely wrong for him. I’m the only one who’s his equal. I’m the only one who can actually help him.”


    Lily spoke withplete confidence and poise. At that moment, Ste suddenly realized how vast the gap between her world and Gabriel’s had be.


    I’ll leave him alone. You don’t need to worry.” Ste looked down. If she’d had any lingering resentment before, her heart was nowpletely shattered.


    Gabriel never visited during her final days in the hospital.


    Good thing she didn’t need him anymore anyway.


    AU