Joey Runs Into Gabriel, Her Ex, Who Ignores Her

Joey's POV

Words couldn't describe the emotions I felt at that moment. But if I could, it would be a mix of relief, hatred, and something else that made my heart skip a beat.

It really was him. It was Gabriel.

He stood over me, impossibly handsome as always, with piercing blue eyes that still seemed almost unreal against his tousled black hair

A memory of me running my hands through them flashed before my eyes.

He wore a fitted black hoodie over a plain white T-shirt, dark jeans, and spotless white sneakers, looking every bit like an ordinary college student.

To anyone else, he would've looked charming.

To me… He looked like a nightmare wearing a beautiful face.

Beautiful? I pushed the thought away. I couldn't think that way. Not now. Not after what he did.

Still, a part of me felt the opposite.

I picked up the books again, faster this time, and then straightened, meeting his eyes.

I let my lips curl into a smile, giving in to that relief of seeing him, of knowing that he was okay. “I didn't think you would choose Cavern Bark over—"

Before I could finish the words, he walked away. Just walked away

I turned around, hoping to go after him, but he was already mid-hallway. He didn’t turn back even once.

I was confused. What the heck was that? He wasn't just rude; he pretended like he didn't know me. I walked into the library, my heart in pieces as memories flooded my mind.

I went to the tutorial session in a daze, running everything through my head. When I looked up then, I could've sworn I saw shock in his eyes before they hardened. It was like he was pissed at me, which was weird since I was the one who should be pissed.

One day, we were talking about eloping, him promising to do anything to save me from my mom, then the next thing, he broke up with me after graduation.

That was the last day I saw him.

It's been four years, and he never reached out. No calls, no texts, not even a freaking letter. He was just... gone.

And now he shows up in front of me and acts like I was the one who had left. That was ridiculous.

Maybe I was right to hate him. Such a douchebag. All rich kids were.

***

“Don't worry, baby girl. Mommy wouldn't find out. It’ll be quick... or little brother over there pays for your disobedience.”

My breath caught.

Across the room, three-year-old Cassian sat on the floor, giggling as he rolled a toy truck back and forth. He looked up at me and smiled, blissfully unaware.

The man leaned closer.

My legs felt rooted to the floor. If I screamed... If I fought... He'd hurt him.

I couldn't let that happen.

I squeezed my eyes shut, praying for someone to make it stop. But no one was coming. I let my hands fall to the sides.

“Good girl,” He muttered as he stretched his arms, reaching for me. I shut my eyes, waiting for it to happen.

Suddenly, the front door creaked open.

Mom.

For one foolish second, relief flooded my chest.

Her eyes widened at the scene before her, then went back to normal. “You should've waited for me,” she said, her voice calm.

The man chuckled. “I couldn't resist. Your daughter's a pretty thing.”

A strange smile crossed Mom's face. Practiced. Almost painful.

She bent down and scooped my brother into her arms before grabbing my wrist. “Come with me.”

I winced, her fingers digging painfully into my skin as she dragged me into our bedroom.

The door slammed behind us; the lock click echoed through the room.

She dropped Cassian on the bed and stood for a few seconds, not doing or saying anything.

I felt my lips part, about to break the silence, when she swept a stack of books off the desk. The sound made me jump.

I already knew what came next. Her hand against my cheek. My face burned.

“Why?” she screamed, shoving me backward. “Why?”

My lips trembled, but no words came.

She grabbed my shoulders, shaking me until my vision blurred.

“How long?” she cried. “Tell me the truth! How long has he been doing this?”

“I...” my voice faltered, refusing to work.

Her eyes flashed with fury, and then she slapped me again.

The sting exploded across my face as I jerked awake with a gasp. My lungs fought for air as I shot upright in bed, my hands instinctively clutching my cheeks.

I looked around and saw Cassian sleeping next to me, relief flooding my mind. A dream. It was just a dream.

I glanced at the clock. I had a few hours before I had to leave. At least that would distract me from the nightmares.

I placed a kiss on Cassian's cheek before leaving the room.

“Hello, sleeping beauty,” Winona muttered, looking at me, a smile on her lips. “You're right on time for your favorite cup of coffee.”

I chuckled as I sat down at the kitchen counter, reaching for the coffee. This was one of the perks of staying off campus.

“How long was I out?” I asked. “The last I remember was helping Cassian with his homework.”

I might not have the money to enroll him in elementary school yet, but at least his day care attendant was giving him some stuff to work on, and that I was grateful for.

“I'm not sure," she took a sip of her coffee. “When I got back, you were already dead on the bed with Cassian.” Her narrowed. “I didn't want to wake you up since I wasn't sure how much sleep your mystery boyfriend was letting you have at night.”

An awkward chuckle escaped my lips. But I didn't say anything. I drank the coffee.

“Seriously? Are you still not going to tell me about him? Not even a clue?”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “I'm sorry, Winona, but we agreed to keep it a secret for now while we figure things out.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. You both spend every night together except for Sundays, and you're still what, trying to figure things out?” She scoffed. “I just hope he's not an asshole.”

“He's not,” I muttered. Just then, I felt an ache in my heart. Keeping such a secret from Winona hurt. I wanted to tell her; I really did. But I couldn't tell her. Not yet.

“Well,” She leaned forward on the counter. “I, for one, wouldn't mind getting into something like that with one of those sportsmen. I'm thinking, football.”

A memory from earlier snuck into my head, making my ache worsen. “Hopefully he's not a jerk like my ex.”

She raised a brow. “Where's that coming from?”

I shook my head. “It's nothing.”

Her eyes narrowed again. “Joey?” She turned towards me, grabbing my shoulders. “You can't just put that out there and expect me to just ignore it. What... What happened?”

I didn't want to talk about it, but then I had no choice.

“I saw him.”