Chapter 7

Gabriel hung up and opened his messages. As expected, Owen had already sent another taunting photograph.

It showed him at Westgate Galleria. Gabriel left immediately.

His phone buzzed on the way: a bank notification followed by a message from Victoria.

Five million dollars had been deposited into an account in his name.

"Your departure is almost arranged. I hope you're not planning to change your mind," her message read. "I've transferred the money. You'll be able to use it once you've left. But if you try anything, that same transfer can be used against you. Don't make trouble."

Gabriel understood. After the birthday-party disaster, she wanted to remind him who held the power.

He didn't care.

"I wish I could leave today," he wrote back.

Her reply came at once. "Good. You'll be gone by the morning after tomorrow at the latest."

He felt himself relax for the first time in days.

At the mall, he found Owen alone on the second floor, browsing an expensive jewelry boutique.

Owen scowled at the sight of him.

"Why are you here? Did you follow the picture? God, you're pathetic. Will you ever stop chasing Bella?"

"I'm not looking for Isabella. I'm looking for you."

"Me?" Owen laughed maliciously. "What for? Want to get thrown out again?"

Gabriel refused to take the bait.

"Give me the silver locket around your neck. I'll promise never to appear in Isabella's life again."

Owen removed it and dangled it from his fingers.

"You mean this?"

Gabriel watched the precious heirloom swing dangerously. He forced himself not to reach for it.

"It isn't especially valuable," he said, pointing toward the display cases. "If you want something in exchange, choose anything from this store. I'll buy it for you."

"I don't need your money." Owen tossed the locket higher. "Even if I never give it back, Bella will still be mine."

Then he deliberately let go.

The locket struck the tiled floor. Its hinge snapped, and the two halves skidded apart, the inside crushed flat.

Gabriel barely had time to register what had happened before Owen screamed.

"Bella! Help me!"

Owen threw himself backward. At almost the same moment, someone slammed into Gabriel from behind. He fell hard, tearing the skin from his elbow.

"Bella..." Owen whimpered from Isabella's arms. "Gabriel tried to steal the locket you gave me. When I wouldn't let him, we struggled, and it broke. Then he attacked me!

"You told me he regretted what happened at the party and apologized for him. Does he look sorry to you?"

Isabella soothed Owen, then turned toward Gabriel with fury.

"Gabriel! What are you trying to..."

Her accusation died when she saw the blood running down his arm.

Gabriel knelt amid the broken pieces of the only keepsake he had from his parents. Hurt, humiliation, anger, and grief crashed over him. He burst into tears.

"I didn't do a damn thing!" he shouted. "There are employees everywhere! You could ask a single witness, but you hear Owen's version and decide I'm guilty. Are you blind?"

He looked at the woman he'd loved for six years.

"I wish I'd never accepted your confession in college."

Isabella turned pale.

Owen noticed her reaction at once. His expression crumpled.

"You're going to defend him, aren't you? I shouldn't be here! I'll get out of your way!"

He ran toward the balcony overlooking the floors below and climbed against the railing.

Isabella raced after him and pulled him into her arms.

"Let me go!" he cried. "I'm the problem. I shouldn't even exist!"

She wiped his tears, her face full of anguish.

"Don't say that. You're family. You're like my own little brother. You'll always be important to me."