Chapter four

“Papa, how did he know my name?”

Elias’s small voice echoed in the hallway, cutting sharper than any blade. Gabriel’s throat tightened. His son’s wide brown eyes, so much like his own,searched him for answers.

He forced a smile, though his stomach twisted. “People talk, Eli. You know that. Maybe someone said your name.”

But Elias frowned, not satisfied. He clutched his notebook tighter, the pencil smudge still on his fingers. “He said it like he knew me.”

Gabriel’s jaw clenched. He turned toward Adrian, whose eyes were locked on Elias like he had found oxygen after drowning.

“You stay away from him,” Gabriel said, his voice low and harsh. “Do you hear me, Adrian? He has nothing to do with you.”

Adrian took a step forward, his face pale but determined. “You can’t expect me to look at him and pretend I don’t see it.”

“Pretend?” Gabriel’s laugh was bitter, sharp. “You’ve been pretending for years. Pretending I didn’t matter. Pretending love was something you could walk away from. Don’t drag him into this mess.”

Adrian’s voice dropped, almost a plea. “Gabriel… is he mine?”

Elias tilted his head. “Mine what?”

“Enough!” Gabriel snapped, pulling Elias gently against his side. “This is not the place. This is not the time.”

Daniel finally cut in, stepping in front of them both, his voice controlled but edged with control “Mr. Knight, you’ve made your point. Gabriel doesn’t owe you anything. Leave.”

Adrian’s gaze flicked between the three of them, Daniel’s protective stance, Gabriel’s trembling hands, Elias’s questioning stare. For a man who always had the upper hand, this was the first time he looked lost.

Victoria’s cold smile lingered at his shoulder. “Adrian, we should go. The press is waiting. You don’t want to hand them gossip on a silver platter.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. “This isn’t finished.”

“It is for me,” Gabriel bit out. He turned sharply, tugging Elias’s hand. “Come, Eli.”

Elias glanced back once, confusion written all over his face. Adrian’s eyes followed him until the crowd swallowed them up.

******************************

Back at home, Gabriel dropped his briefcase onto the couch and rubbed his temples. His apartment was warm, filled with the quiet clutter of Elias’s world, schoolbooks, crayons, a half-built Lego tower on the floor. It was safe or at least, it had been.

“Papa,” Elias said softly, sitting at the kitchen table. “Why did that man look at me like that?”

Gabriel froze, his back to his son as he poured water into a glass. “Some people… they see what they want to see, Eli. Don’t think about it.”

“But I am thinking about it.” Elias’s voice carried that stubborn note Gabriel knew too well. “Was he a bad man? Did he hurt you?”

Gabriel set the glass down, his hands tightening around it. He forced himself to turn, crouching so his eyes were level with Elias’s. “Listen to me. Whatever happens, I will always protect you. Always. That’s all you need to know.”

Elias studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. But the doubt in his eyes lingered.

Daniel arrived not long after, letting himself in with the spare key. He dropped his coat and sighed. “He’s not going to stop, Gabe. You saw his face. He’s not the type to let things go once he’s got a scent.”

Gabriel glared at him. “And what would you have me do? Hand over my son? Let Adrian destroy him the way he destroyed me?”

“I’m saying be careful,” Daniel replied, his tone calm but firm. “Adrian Knight isn’t just a man. He’s an empire. He’ll use every weapon he has if he wants something.”

Gabriel swallowed hard, his anger draining into something heavier. Fear. “He’s not taking Elias from me, not now, not ever.”

Daniel hesitated, then placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re not alone in this. I’ll stand with you.”

Gabriel’s chest tightened, not with comfort, but with guilt. He knew Daniel meant more than the words said. But his heart… his heart was still broken in the shape of Adrian Knight.

Later that night, Gabriel found Elias still awake, sitting cross-legged on his bed with his notebook open.

“Eli,” Gabriel said softly. “It’s late. You should be asleep.”

Elias looked up, chewing his lip. “Papa… can I ask you something?”

Gabriel sat on the edge of the bed. “Always.”

“Why don’t you want me to talk to that man?”

Gabriel’s breath caught. He smoothed Elias’s curls back gently. “Because some people bring more pain than peace and I don’t want you near that kind of hurt.”

“But he didn’t look scary,” Elias whispered. “He looked… sad. Like you sometimes.”

The words pierced straight through Gabriel. He swallowed hard. “Even sad people can be dangerous, Eli.”

“But if he’s not dangerous?” Elias pressed, stubborn as ever. “If he just wanted to know me?”

Gabriel shook his head, forcing a smile. “You already have everything you need. You have me.”

Elias nodded, but it was slow, thoughtful.

*************************

The next morning, choas erupted.

“Have you seen this?” Daniel dropped the newspaper onto Gabriel’s desk at the firm. The front page screamed:

Adrian Knight Once Left a Bride at the Altar – Isabella Moreau Speaks Out

Gabriel scanned the article. Isabella’s smile stared back from the glossy photo, perfect and poisonous. The piece detailed her “painful past” with Adrian, hinting at betrayal, abandonment, and secrets. The press had a new story to feed on.

“Why now?” Gabriel muttered.

“Because Adrian is weak,” Daniel answered. “And everyone smells blood. Isabella, the board, the rivals, hell, even your father.”

As if summoned, Gabriel’s phone buzzed. Sebastian Hale’s name lit the screen. Gabriel almost let it go, but Daniel raised a brow. “Answer. You know he won’t stop until you do.”

With a weary sigh, Gabriel picked up. “Father.”

“Gabriel,” Sebastian’s voice was smooth, but laced with disapproval. “I’ve seen the papers. This lawsuit, your… entanglement. Do you have any idea the shame this brings on our family name?”

“This isn’t about you,” Gabriel said flatly.

“It’s always about family,” Sebastian snapped. “You think you’re protecting that boy, but all you’re doing is dragging him into the mud. End this case, walk away from Knight, and maybe you can still salvage your reputation.”

Gabriel’s hand shook as he gripped the phone. “I will not walk away.”

“Then you’re a fool,” Sebastian spat. “And don’t expect me to shield you when you have problems.”

The line went dead.

Gabriel exhaled shakily, staring at the phone. For a moment, he let his head fall into his hands.

But then, a soft voice interrupted his spiral.

“Papa?”

Elias stood in the doorway of his office, his schoolbag hanging off one shoulder. His eyes were wide, uncertain. “Is it true?”

Gabriel froze. “Is what true?”

“That man…” Elias’s voice wavered. “Is he my father?”