Chapter 4

Gabrielle sank her teeth into the tip of her tongue, the sharp taste of blood mixing with the bitterness in her mouth.

So it was true—a woman who was loved really did look the most beautiful. Looking at Winona now, how could Gabrielle possibly compete with her?

Still… didn't Winona know Morgan was married? How could someone as proud as she was ever lower herself to being someone's mistress?

Gabrielle's heart throbbed dully. She pushed back her chair and stood up, ready to leave. "I've got things to do…"

"Gabrielle!" Winona suddenly called after her. She dug a business card out of her purse and held it out, looking earnest. "I don't know what you've been through over the years, but… Here's my business card. If you ever need anything, you can reach out to me."

Gabrielle's face went pale. She clenched her jaw and said, "I don't need—"

"We're good friends, Gabrielle. I'm not implying anything else. I just wanna help you…"

Gabrielle's hands shook as she pushed Winona away. Then she bolted for the door like she was running for her life.

The other customers who'd overheard bits of their conversation turned to stare after her. Pitying eyes followed Gabrielle's retreating back, then slid over to Winona, full of admiration for the gorgeous, kind, and rich woman they saw.

The moment the door clicked shut behind Gabrielle, Winona's smile turned nasty. She turned back to her seat, took a forkful of cake, and muttered under her breath, "Stupid fat cow."

Outside the cafe, Gabrielle stopped in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and caught her reflection. She was thick around the middle, and she looked haggard. Anyone who caught sight of her would think her life had gone off the rails.

No wonder Winona had offered to help her.

Gabrielle gave the woman in the glass a bitter smile, then flagged down a cab and headed to Locke Tech.

Micah had given the reception staff a heads-up. All Gabrielle had to do was give her name, and a staff member immediately escorted her straight to Micah's office.

He was behind his desk. When he saw her come in, he stood to greet her.

"Come on, have a seat." He led her into a small meeting room off to the side and took the seat across from her. Then he poured her a cup of coffee.

His tall frame was dressed in a navy suit that made him look put-together and polished. He'd been two years ahead of Gabrielle at Creston University and the golden boy of the computer science department. After graduation, he'd pulled together his family's resources and built one of the top tech companies in the country.

The company had started out doing consumer electronics. Then, in the last couple of years, it had made a high-profile announcement that it was getting into electric vehicles. Locke Tech was a rising star in Janverton's tech scene.

"Have you been crying?" Micah's gaze lingered on the redness at the corners of Gabrielle's eyes.

"I'm fine. Just allergies." Gabrielle lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze.

"Right, we're between seasons now. You need to take care of yourself." He didn't call her out. Instead, he asked, "Have you thought things through about the job?"

"Yeah. I can start whenever." Her tone was firm.

"Morgan's okay with it?"

Gabrielle kept her head bowed as she grimaced self-deprecatingly. "He's never cared about anything to do with me. Besides, we're getting divorced soon."

Micah was surprised. His gaze flicked over her face. "I see."

He didn't press for details. He just picked up his coffee mug and took a slow sip, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"There's just one issue. I don't have any real work experience, and I'm not great with people… I only know the technical side." Gabrielle's voice clearly lost some of its confidence.

"That's exactly what I need you for—your technical skills." Micah looked her right in the eye, his voice steady and sincere.

She'd entered Creston University's honors program at 16 years old, focusing on control algorithms, and finished her master's degree by 22. Then she'd let marriage drag her down like quicksand.

Micah had hated watching it happen. He'd invited her to come work for him more than once, but she'd always turned him down.

This was the first time she'd cracked the door open, and he was afraid she might slam it shut again.

Gabrielle lowered her head and pressed her lips together, feeling awkward. "Well, I should still prep a bit. I've been out of the field for a long time."

Micah nodded. He had absolute faith in her talent. Even after a few years as a stay-at-home mom, all she needed was a little exposure, and she'd be back at the top of her game in no time.

"You can intern here for a while first and get used to the work environment. You'll adapt faster when you go overseas," he suggested.

She nodded. "That works."

He looked pleased. "Then come in tomorrow. You can start out as my assistant. You'll stay by my side, and I'll personally get you up to speed on office life."

Gabrielle nodded, feeling grateful. She knew Micah worried that dropping her straight into a new environment would be too much of a shock, since she'd never worked a day in her life. For a CEO like him to personally mentor her was already more than generous.

She thanked him and stood to leave.

"Gabrielle."

She was almost at the door when Micah called out to her. She turned back.

"Whatever happens, congratulations on starting a new life." Micah smiled.

Gabrielle smiled back.

Downstairs, outside Locke Tech's building, the long hedges along the walls were covered in climbing roses. The bright flowers swayed in the breeze.

Gabrielle let out a long breath. For the first time in forever, her lips curved upward in a genuine smile.

One rose had grown so far it brushed over the sidewalk. She reached out, gently flicking the bloom with her fingertips. Still smiling, she said, "Hey there."

By the time she got home, it was already 5:30 pm. As she bent down to change her shoes, she spotted Casper's tiny sneakers lined up neatly by the door.

Warmth bloomed in her chest. But when she walked into the living room, she saw Judy there with her arms around Casper.

Judy said, "Your mommy lazes around at home all day and still can't be bothered to pick you up. We shouldn't be so close to her anymore, okay?"

Casper frowned. "Not okay."

Judy burst out laughing.

"Casp," Gabrielle called.

Casper's head whipped around. When he saw her, his whole face lit up. "Mommy!"

He ran over and stopped in front of her, pouting. "Mommy, why didn't you come pick me up?"

Gabrielle glanced at Judy, then gently pinched Casper's cheek. "I had something to take care of today. Go work on your drawings for a bit, okay?"

He answered with a sulky grunt, then shuffled over to his art room.

Judy started to leave.

"Judy." Gabrielle stopped her.

"What now?" Judy's tone dripped with sarcasm.

"If you badmouth me in front of my child again, you can pack your things and leave."

Judy froze, then curled her lip in open disdain. "Do you seriously think you're the lady of the house? This house belongs to Mr. Quilton, and he said I could live here. Before you start throwing your weight around with me, maybe think about whether it's your place to do that."

"That's exactly what I was gonna say to you," Gabrielle shot back coolly. "If you're so eager to play mom to Morgan, maybe ask his actual mother how she feels about that."

The words hit Judy where it hurt most. She'd practically raised Morgan and prided herself on her years of service. She strutted around Quilton Manor like she owned the place.

She'd long since gotten on Tina's nerves, and Tina had been looking for an excuse to kick her out for years. Morgan was the only reason she was still around.

After getting married, Morgan had brought Judy over to this house—mainly so she wouldn't butt heads with Tina anymore.

If Gabrielle really brought this up with Tina, the latter would have the perfect excuse to get rid of Judy.

"Fine," Judy muttered, clearly unwilling.

Gabrielle went to sit with Casper in his art room for a while. When she finally stepped back into the living room, she saw Morgan there.

He rarely came home. He owned a luxury condo near Quilton Group's headquarters and usually stayed there alone. Whenever he missed Casper, he'd have someone bring him over.

Right now, a heavy, stifling tension clung to him. He tugged at his tie and sank onto the couch, casually picking up a magazine.

"Judy says you're trying to kick her out," he said coolly without looking up.

Gabrielle drew a deep breath. She'd already guessed Judy would go running to him.

"She was trying to turn Casper against me—"

"Did you pick him up from preschool today?"

"No."

Morgan snorted. "Then what exactly did she say that wasn't true?"

Gabrielle's hands balled into fists, and her nails dug into her palms. He knew perfectly well whether Judy had tried to turn Casper against her. He'd just made it perfectly clear whose side he was on.

Even a housekeeper who'd looked after him since he was a kid counted as family, yet she, as his wife, wasn't.

A lump formed in Gabrielle's throat. She forced herself to stay calm. "I had something come up today, so I couldn't pick Casp up myself. But I made arrangements ahead of time. And it's not like you went, either…"

The magazine flew from Morgan's hand, hit Gabrielle's shin, and landed on her foot.

It didn't hurt. It was just humiliating.

She looked up and saw Casper standing in the doorway, staring straight at her. The look in his eyes wasn't one that was familiar to her.