“Gabriel, are you mad at me?”
Back in the hospital room, Gabriel sat inplete silence while Lily fidgeted beside him.
“Given the situation, we couldn’t have gotten out of there without saying that. And not exining about Ste is actually the best protection for her. Hollywood’s like that-fans have no memory. Give it some time and they’ll forget all about this.”
Gabriel didn’t respond, his eyes glued to his phone.
Ste hadn’t called once sincest night.
The story had blown up everywhere-photos of him and Lily were stered all over social media. Had she even seen any of it?
Maybe Ste’s just busy with her reunion and hasn’t had time to check messages yet!” Lily seemed to read his thoughts.
Yeah, she’s at her college reunion today.” Gabriel kept reassuring himself-she just hadn’t seen the news yet.
Gabriel, you should take a shower. You look terrible, and when Stees back, she’ll me me for not taking care of you.”
Gabriel wasn’t really listening to anything except when Ste’s name came up-that seemed to snap him back to attention.
Right, I should shower.”
He went into the bathroom, leaving his phone glowing on the bed.
The moment he was gone, Lily’s gentle smile vanishedpletely. She stared coldly at his phone, jealousy burning in her eyes.
Ste Rivers, you pathetic bitch. I should never have gone soft on you. Should’ve just finished you off.”
Hearing the shower running, a devious n formed in her mind.
Gabriel, did you forget to grab clean clothes? I’ll bring some in for you.”
Thanks.”
ily could barely contain her grin as she typed a message to Ste.
Ste, he said yesst night! Gabriel was so passionate-I’m just getting out of bed now.”
One second, two seconds…
Ete’s reply came through.
You don’t need to keep twisting the knife. I’m gone. Be happy.”
Lily’s eyes went wide with disbelief, then pure joy. Ste was leaving.
Ste was actually leaving.
The immediately tried to send another message-red exmation mark. She grabbed Gabriel’s phone and tried from his ount-blocked there too. <fn834e> Fresh chapters posted on fι?dnοvel</fn834e>
The bathroom door clicked. Gabriel wasing out.
ily frantically deleted the message thread, trying to act like nothing happened.
Ste was gone. Now she needed to keep Gabriel distracted so he wouldn’t notice Ste had left.
She had to make him marry her.
She quickly texted her parents.
Gabriel, my parents areing over. Let’s have dinner together, okay? After I exin everything to them, I’ll go talk to Ste, then I’ll do a livestream and tell everyone the whole truth. You and Ste are the real couple here.”
Thinking he’d soon be able to clear everything up, Gabriel finally felt some relief.
Thanks for doing this, Lily Gabriel ruffled her hair like when they were kids. Back in high school, he’d thought he liked Lily, but when ste came along, be realized his feelings for Lily were purely sisterly.
Too bad he’d figured it out sote-they’d missed four whole years in college. But he’d have plenty of time to make it up to Ste now.
That evening, in a private dining room.
Gabriel, dear, Lily told us everything. Even though you can’t be our son-inw, I still think of you like my own son. When your parents… when that happened. ve were overseas and couldn’t help. We still feel terrible about it. Thank goodness Lily could help you this time.”
Talking about the past brought tears to Mrs. Rose’s eyes. Gabriel spent the whole evening thinking about Ste, wondering if she was back yet.
Sweetheart, let’s toast.”
Gabriel lost track of how many drinks he’d had. By the time his head was spinning, only he and Lily were left in the room.
Ste?”
The girl in front of him looked just like her.
You finally came to find me, Ste. I never meant to ignore you before. Lily and I really have nothing going on-I’ve always seen her like a sister.”
It’s okay, Gabriel. I believe you. I’ve always believed you.”
lender arms wrapped around his neck, and he couldn’t hold back anymore, leaning down to kiss her.
Ste, let’s never be apart again, okay?”