Chapter 3

Gabriel's POV

"Alright."

I stepped over the umbrella lying on the ground and walked away.

Although my injuries were nothing more than a few scratches, the doctor insisted on keeping me in the hospital for several days of observation.

The patient who'd been occupying my assigned bed was still packing up to leave, so I had no choice but to wait outside.

After everything that had happened that day, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep in my chair.

When I woke up, I found Joanna looking at me with concern. For a moment, I almost believed things had gone back to the way they used to be.

When we were children, she would often hold a finger beneath my nose to check whether I was still breathing, terrified that something might happen to me in my sleep.

But the moment I noticed the bandages on my hand, all I could think about was the way she'd deliberately hurt me with the bouquet.

The hurt and resentment that surged through me were so overwhelming that I started retching.

Joanna's expression stiffened, and she immediately snapped, "Do I repulse you, Gabriel? Is that it?"

I ignored her and slowly made my way into the ward.

Joanna glanced around the cramped room, which had three beds and barely enough space for an extra chair. Something about the sight seemed to bother her, because she immediately arranged for me to be moved to the hospital's finest private room.

But she turned to me and said, "The Piano Association has one spot available for an exchange program in Pember next week. I want you to let Ashton go instead.

"You should focus on getting ready for our honeymoon. He's done so much for you over the years. Just do him a favor."

That was what our relationship had become.

Joanna would offer me something to make up for how she'd treated me, only to demand something else in return. It was a miserable arrangement, but somehow, it had kept us together.

The idea of being put in a "luxury" hospital room struck me as a cruel joke.

Nevertheless, I turned to Joanna and agreed.

If she knew that Ashton would also be taking my place at the wedding, she'd probably be thrilled.

Joanna seemed taken aback by how readily I'd agreed. In the past, I would have argued with her and fought desperately for what I wanted.

She studied me for a moment before asking again, sounding uncertain. "Are you sure you're okay with that?"

This time, I nodded calmly. "Yeah."

Joanna seemed uncomfortable with my indifference. As though trying to get a reaction out of me, she awkwardly offered, "You love fireworks, don't you? How about I arrange a show for you tonight?"

"No, thanks. We'd just be a nuisance."

Before she could respond, I told her I was tired and wanted to get some rest.

I felt a palm settle against my forehead. Once Joanna was satisfied that I'd fallen asleep, she couldn't resist calling Ashton to share her excitement.

"Alright, alright. I'll be right back to celebrate your birthday with you. The fireworks over Yewton tonight are all for you."

My fingers slowly loosened their grip on the blanket as tears rolled silently down my face.

She'd once promised that she'd never watch fireworks with anyone but me for the rest of her life, but even promises like that came with an expiration date.

I'd never forget the times I'd broken down and desperately asked her whether she still loved me.

All she ever did was tell me to calm down, which only made me look even more unhinged.

"Why don't you calm down first? Then, we can talk."

All I'd wanted was a simple answer, but even that had been too much for Joanna to give.

Now, though, I no longer needed her reassurances, and I never would again.

On the day I was completing my discharge paperwork, Joanna suddenly called me.

"Gabriel, I need you."

Her voice was trembling.

After everything we'd been through over the past few decades, I still couldn't bring myself to abandon her when she was in trouble.

But the moment I arrived, I was forcibly dragged into a car.

"Gabe, Ashton's father kidnapped him, and all he wants is money. Could you take his place, just this once?"

Ashton's father, Tristan Barker, had sold him off when he was little.

I stared at Joanna in disbelief. "What the hell does that have to do with me? Let me out of this car!"

Joanna pointed at me accusingly. "Ashton has risked his life protecting you all these years! Don't you feel even the slightest bit guilty?

"And another thing. His father said you were the one who told him where Ashton was. Gabriel, when did you become such a monster?"

All it took was an accusation, and she was already willing to believe the worst of me.

"Do you seriously believe I'd do something like that?" I retorted.

"Who else could it have been? No wonder you've been sneaking off to make phone calls behind my back these past few days! You've been planning this whole thing all along!"