Chapter 5

As Gabriel left the hospital, he headed for the rear passenger door. Isabella stopped him.

"Sit up front, Gabriel. I've adjusted the seat to your favorite position so you won't get sick."

"Owen isn't coming?"

His voice was flat, but she took it as another complaint about Owen.

"Gabriel, he didn't mean what happened. Don't start again."

Gabriel opened the door without another word.

Normally, they would have filled the drive with conversation. Today, silence crowded the car. Then unfamiliar buildings began appearing outside Gabriel's window.

"This isn't the way home. Where are we going?"

"It's my father's birthday. We're going to his party."

Gabriel turned sharply. "You didn't ask me. Turn around. I want to go home."

"What's wrong with you?" Isabella snapped. "You used to care so much about these occasions. You always started shopping for his present weeks early. Why wouldn't you want to go?"

'Because I'm leaving you. I don't need your parents' approval anymore.'

But he couldn't say that without endangering his escape.

"I've been busy and haven't prepared a gift. I'll skip this one."

Isabella sighed. "You're going to be my husband. We're family. A present isn't important. And we're already here. It would look terrible if you didn't come in."

She parked and dragged him into the ballroom despite his objections.

Owen hurried over the moment he saw her. In front of the guests, he linked his arm through hers.

"Bella! Decorating the ballroom together was a huge success. Your dad absolutely loved it. He praised me so much I blushed. It's a shame you missed it."

He glanced at Gabriel, pride and triumph glimmering in his eyes.

Isabella praised him warmly. When she turned to take Gabriel's hand, Owen pulled her away.

"Your dad wants to see you."

Gabriel watched them disappear and sat alone on a couch. The surrounding guests whispered freely, apparently unconcerned that he could hear.

"So that's the boyfriend? Seven proposals ruined, and he's still hanging around. If my girlfriend kept choosing another guy over me, I'd leave no matter how much I loved her."

"Love? You really believe that? He's after the McCarthys' fortune. Once a nobody like him gets close to that kind of money, you think he's letting go?"

"And Owen practically grew up with Isabella. They're the obvious match. That freeloader has no shame. Didn't anybody raise him better?"

Every word cut deeper.

Gabriel dug his nails into his palms as he watched Isabella lean close to Owen, refuse drinks on his behalf, and wipe something from the corner of his mouth.

Perhaps he'd been the intruder all along. Perhaps he should have stepped aside years ago.

He stood to leave. Owen intercepted him.

"Leaving without saying hello to Mr. McCarthy? How rude. Then again, you were raised in a group home. I guess nobody taught you manners."

"Enough, Owen!" Gabriel burst out. "You don't have to insult me. I've already decided to leave Isabella!"

Owen smiled, his expression suddenly cold.

"Then leave properly. Make sure she forgets you completely."

Before Gabriel could respond, Owen's face drained of color. He began shaking his head, sobbing wildly.

"That's a lie! I didn't cause my parents' deaths! It wasn't my fault!"

Isabella hurried over from the guests she'd been entertaining. Hearing Owen's cries, her face hardened. She wrapped him in her arms and glared at Gabriel.

"What have you done just now?"