After The Divorce: He Wanted Me Back のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 131 - チャプター 140

Isabella I stay near the counter while the shop assistant carefully writes the message on the chocolate cake.The display lights reflect softly against the glass case, illuminating rows of smaller pastries and neatly arranged mini cakes on the lower shelf. The smell of cocoa and vanilla lingers in the air, warm and comforting in a way that almost makes the small shop feel quieter than it actually is.Outside the glass window, I can see Gabriel standing a few meters away from the door.One hand is tucked into the pocket of his coat while the other holds his phone to his ear. His posture is relaxed, but there’s a slight tension in his shoulders that tells me the call is probably work.He turns slightly as he speaks, pacing once along the sidewalk before stopping again.For a moment, I just watch him.Then the shop assistant slides the finished cake box toward me.“Your order will be ready in just a minute, ma’am,” she says politely.I nod absently.My attention drifts back to the displ

Isabella By the time we reach the restaurant, the sky has already turned fully dark.Gabriel pulls the car smoothly into the valet lane in front of Aurelio, the warm lights from the entrance spilling across the polished pavement. Through the glass walls I can already see a few familiar faces inside, waiters moving between tables while soft music drifts out each time the doors open.I gather the cake boxes carefully from my lap just as Gabriel shifts the car into park.Before I can even reach for the door handle, he’s already stepping out.A second later the passenger door opens and he offers his hand like this is some kind of formal event.I stare at him.“Really?”Gabriel tilts his head slightly. “What?”“I can open the door myself.”“I know,” he says calmly. “But I was already here.”I shake my head but take his hand anyway as I step out, making sure the cake boxes stay balanced in my other arm.Once I’m standing, I turn toward the entrance.“Alright,” I say. “You can go.”Gabriel

Isabella “Excuse me,” I say quietly, setting my fork down. “I’ll just go to the restroom.”Mia nods absentmindedly, still mid-story, while Elias laughs at something she just said.Gabriel glances at me for a second.“Don’t get lost,” he mutters lightly.I give him a look. “I won’t.”Then I turn and walk away before he can say anything else.The restroom is quieter than the main dining area.The noise from outside fades into a soft blur the moment I step inside, replaced by the faint sound of running water and the low hum of the lights overhead.I move toward one of the cubicles and step inside, locking the door behind me.For a moment, everything is still.Just silence.Then the door to the restroom opens again.Voices follow.Two girls.“…I’m telling you, that was him,” one of them says, her voice slightly hushed but still excited.“Are you sure?” the other asks. “Like, sure sure?”“I’ve seen him before,” the first insists. “That’s Gabriel Thorne.”I pause.My hand still resting lig

Isabella The moment we step inside—I know this isn’t the kind of place Gabriel described.Not even close.The bar is dimly lit, but not in a relaxed, cozy way. It’s polished. Sleek. Every surface looks expensive—from the marble bar counter to the velvet seating arranged in clean, intentional sections. Low ambient music hums through the space, just loud enough to fill the silence but not enough to drown conversations.People are dressed well.Too well for something “casual.”Tailored suits. Designer dresses. Effortless, curated.I pause for half a second, taking it all in.This is not a chill bar.This is the kind of place where people come to be seen.Of course.I glance sideways at Gabriel as we walk further inside.He doesn’t even look around.Like he’s been here a hundred times.Before I can say anything—a staff member approaches us almost immediately.“Good evening, Mr. Thorne,” he greets politely, giving a slight nod toward Gabriel. “Your table is ready.”I blink.Your table?

Isabella Sleep doesn’t come.I turn to one side, then the other, pulling the blanket up before kicking it down again. After a while, I let out a quiet breath and stare at the ceiling, pressing a hand against my forehead. “This is ridiculous,” I mutter softly, shifting again, but the restlessness doesn’t leave.Because he’s here.That thought alone is enough to keep my mind awake.I sit up after what feels like forever, glancing at the clock beside my bed. “Two in the morning,” I whisper under my breath, letting out a small sigh before swinging my legs off the bed. “Great.”If I’m not sleeping, I might as well do something.The house is quiet as I make my way to the kitchen, the soft sound of my footsteps echoing faintly in the stillness. I pour myself a glass of milk, leaning lightly against the counter as I take a small sip, but my attention drifts almost immediately toward the living room.I hesitate for a second, then shake my head slightly. “I’m just checking,” I murmur, like I n