บททั้งหมดของ Contracted to Deceive : บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

(Gloria)I’m sitting at my desk, pretending to be productive but in reality I can’t stop thinking about last night. The feel of Gabriel’s hands on me, the way he looked at me like he knew exactly what he was doing to me. My body still hums with the aftermath, but I can’t focus on that right now. No, I have work to do. And it’s not the kind of work I’m used to, this is the kind where I have to figure out why Damon Clark and Kate are being so… shady.I’m at home today, because Gabriel decided I needed the day off. It’s a nice gesture, I guess, but I’m not exactly the type to sit around and relax, especially not when I’ve got so many things swirling in my head. Things that, let’s be honest, I’d be better off ignoring. But I can’t help myself. I’ve got a whole damn mystery on my hands now, and I’m going to figure it out, one way or another.I take another sip of coffee, the bitter taste just as sharp as the thoughts in my mind. I don’t trust Damon. Hell, I don’t trust anyone

(Gloria)I walked into the office like any other day, my coat draped over my arm, heels clicking like I was walking into war. Because I kind of was, just that no one else knew it yet.Kate was already behind her desk, perfectly poised like she hadn’t spent the weekend stabbing people in the back with her red bottom heels. Her expression didn’t even twitch when I walked in.“Morning, Kate,” I said, sweet and polite. She didn’t look up, she just kept typing like I was invisible.Cute. I bit back a smile. Please. I had bigger things to worry about.I headed to the break room and made Gabriel’s coffee from muscle memory. My hand was steady, but my heart wasn’t. It thudded against my ribs, not because of the coffee, not even because of her, but because of him.Things had changed between us. Ever since that work event. Ever since the heat… and the look in his eyes like I wasn’t just a girl behind a desk.And now everyone had something to say about it. I took the mug to his office and gave

(Gloria)At The Lysander, Gabriel’s eyes never left mine as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers tracing the edge of his wine glass. His smile was small, but his gaze, those piercing blue eyes, made me feel like he could see right through me. I fought the urge to check my phone again. The seconds were ticking away, but I couldn’t afford to look anxious. I was supposed to be on a date with him and not planning my next move.“So, Gloria,” Gabriel said, breaking the silence between us. “What’s something about you that I don’t already know?”I froze for a second. My mind was so focused on the time that I almost didn’t catch the question. “Hmm,” I muttered, tapping my fingers on the edge of my glass, pretending to think. “I’m pretty sure I’ve told you everything important, Gabriel. Unless you’re interested in more personal details.”His lips curled into teasing smile. “I like personal details,” he said, his voice low, the words lingering between us. “Maybe I’ve been reading the wrong p

(Gloria)So far, I’ve successfully dodged the GI - Gabriel Interrogation.Barely.He hasn’t asked again about the envelope, but the way he keeps looking at me? Like he’s waiting for a confession or a crack or maybe just for me to trip over my own guilt, it’s exhausting. I’ve spent the last day pretending to nap, sipping lukewarm soup, and mentally running laps around how I came to lose everything.And now, finally, I’m getting out of this hospital.The door swings open and in walks Gabriel in a fresh suit, coffee in hand, and… a box.I blink. “Please tell me that’s not another fruit basket.”He smirks, then he walks over and places it on the bed beside me. “Nope. Just thought you might want your life back.”I peel back the lid, and there it is… a brand new phone.“Gabriel,” I say, stunned, “you didn’t have to…”“I wanted to,” he says simply, settling into the chair. “Besides, you need a way to ignore my texts again.”I laugh, but it hurts my ribs, so I wince instead. “Still not funny.

I come back to my senses with the sharp sting of a slap that feels like I’ve been yanked from a deep, suffocating dream. My head spins, and everything is blurry for a moment. “Elena…” I murmur weakly.Her hand is warm and shaking as she holds my face, the slap was just her frantic attempt to bring me back.“Gloria! What the hell… Gloria! Should I call the hospital?” she asks, her voice rising in panic. “Should I call Gabriel?”I push her hand away weakly, trying to sit up, “No… no hospital,” I mutter, my voice unsteady. “I’m fine. Just… too much.”I try to stand, but my legs betray me and give out beneath me. I stumble forward, barely catching myself against the edge of the coffee table.“Elena, I…”But before I can say more, I crumble, tears welling up in my eyes and spilling over before I can stop them.“Gloria?” Elena asks, confusion in her voice. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”I shake my head, unable to answer. “I’m… I’m just so… overwhelmed.” The sobs shake my whole body, and