Ste stared at the train ticket to Riverside in her hand, gradually drifting off to sleep.


    In her dream, she was back to when they first met.


    “Gabriel, I like you. Will you be my boyfriend?”


    Rain was pouring down, and they’d ducked under a bus stop for shelter.


    At first he ignored herpletely, but when she started coughing from the cold, Gabriel took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders,


    “If you’re gonna chase someone, at least dress wartner.”


    Everything was perfect in the dream.


    “Gabriel, why did you lie to me?” A tear slipped down her cheek.


    Ste’s eyes snapped open to her phone buzzing insistently. Gabriel.


    “Where are you?” His voice was ice-cold as usual.


    “With a friend.”


    “Send me the address. I’ming to get you.”


    She knew Gabriel’s temper-if she didn’tply, he’d keep calling. Reluctantly, she sent her location. Sure enough, Gabriel appeared within minutes.


    Maybe it was his imagination, but she seemed much thinnertely.


    “Why haven’t you been home?” Gabriel grabbed her arm.


    “Ah!” She cried out in pain, her face going white instantly.


    “What’s wrong?”


    “Nothing.” She stepped back, still pale.


    Gabriel stared at his empty fingertips, unease creeping in again. Ste seemed different-even though they were right there together, she felt impossibly distan


    I’ve been swamped at work these past few days. Wasn’t intentionally ignoring you.”


    Gabriel found himself exining.


    “I’m leaving for Riverside tomorrow. Gabriel, do you ever miss the old days?”


    “I don’t miss them. I hate them.”


    His expression turned cold.


    Ste’s heart clenched. Of course-those days didn’t have Lily in them. Why would he miss that?


    “That’s good. People should look forward.”


    She smiled, but it looked more painful than crying.


    Good for you, Ste. You should look forward too.


    She’d thought these final days would pass quietly.


    But she’d underestimated Lily.


    Halfway through their drive, Lily’s assistant called: “Gabriel, Lily’s at a promotional event and there’s some trouble. Could you help out?”


    Gabriel left without hesitation.


    Just wait in the car,” Gabriel said coldly.


    So he’s worried 111 interfere with Lily? A sharp pain shot through Ste’s chest.


    She pressed her lips together and stayed silent. <fn392c> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel</fn392c>


    Gabriel strode toward the venue, his tall frame and intimidating presence naturally parting the crowd.


    “They’re so perfect together!”


    “Lily said Gabriel woulde, and here he is! What kind of fairytale romance is this?”


    “A CEO with a packed schedule dropping everything toe-if that’s not love, what is?”


    The chattering outside gave her a headache, and her arm started throbbing again. She closed her eyes.


    “Ahhhhh!”


    Screams pierced her eardrums as Lily threw her arms around Gabriel on stage and kissed his cheek.


    Even though she’d expected this, the pain was unbearable. Her injured stomach protested, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead as her face went ashen.


    She felt sick.


    Why do this to her? If he didn’t love her, fine-but why make her watch it happen?


    After what felt like forever, they got in the car.


    Gabriel took the back seat; someone else was driving.


    “Oh Ste, you’re here too! Gabriel just had a drink with the brand sponsors for me. You don’t mind, do you?”


    Lily curled up against Gabriel, her words dripping with challenge.


    But even that couldn’tpete with what she’d just witnessed.


    “It’s fine,” she said tly, then closed her eyes-missing the sh of darkness in Gabriel’s gaze.