Все главы The Wrong Cupid Arrow : Глава 21 - Глава 30

The welcome dinner ended in laughter, clinking glasses, and the low hum of satisfied conversation. Plates were cleared, chairs scraped softly against the floor, and one by one, the photography club members began to leave.Gabriella slipped on her jacket, exhaustion settling deep into her bones. She had smiled all evening—too much, maybe—but now all she wanted was her bed.Outside, the night air was cool and damp, the street glowing beneath yellow lamps. She pulled out her phone to order a taxi when a familiar figure stepped beside her.Caleb.He stood there typing on his phone, one hand tucked into his pocket, expression unreadable as always. He didn’t look at her. Didn’t acknowledge her presence at all.For a moment, Gabriella forgot what she was even doing—until a taxi stopped in front of them.Without a word, Caleb opened the door and got in.Something snapped inside Gabriella.Before she could second-guess herself, she rushed forward, pushed him deeper into the seat, and climbed i

“You, mister—are you the manager here?” Andy asked, standing up as she walked toward Mr. Matthis. But Mr. Matthis didn’t even look at her. Andy stopped mid-step when she realized she had been completely ignored. The man’s gaze was fixed on Gabriella. On the young woman standing quietly in a white, elegant dress that fit her as if it had been made for her alone. The fabric hugged her frame perfectly—soft, refined, timeless. For a brief moment, Mr. Matthis forgot where he was. He remembered the day Daria had designed that dress. How she had stood in her private studio, eyes distant, fingers tracing the sketch, saying nothing—but imagining her daughter in it. And now, Gabriella was wearing it. Exactly as Daria had envisioned. A quiet pride swelled in his chest. The Mason women had always been striking. Arathina—reserved and regal. Daria—bold, mischievous, fearless, a woman who bent rules and people alike. Gabriella, however, was different. She carried calm. Gentleness. A kind

Andy stood outside the apartment building, her fingers wrapped tightly around her phone as if squeezing it hard enough would force the screen to light up with Gabriella’s name.The last message she had sent still showed delivered.No reply.Minutes had passed—long, unbearable minutes that stretched into something heavier, something suffocating—and yet there was nothing. Not even a read receipt.She bit down on her lower lip, anxiety clawing its way up her chest.What am I even doing?The night air felt colder than it should have. Maybe she should just go upstairs. Maybe she should stop pretending that waiting patiently in her car made her dignified. If Gabriella was in Norman’s apartment, then she would see it with her own eyes instead of torturing herself with possibilities.Andy pushed her car door open and stepped out.That was when she heard it.The sharp, urgent wail of an ambulance siren tore through the quiet street, red lights flashing violently against the glass windows of th

Morning light slipped through the hospital blinds in pale gold strips.Gabriella stood by the window while a nurse finished the discharge formalities. The room felt almost untouched—no flowers, no clutter, no trace of a long stay. She hadn’t even been there a full day.After a quick shower, she stepped out of the bathroom, drying the ends of her hair with a towel.Norman sat by the window, phone in hand. At the sound of the door, he looked up.His eyes lingered.A faint smirk curved his lips.“Are you done?” he asked.She nodded, smoothing her sleeves. “We can leave now.”He stood and crossed the room without another word. When she reached for her bag, his hand closed around hers first.Warm. Firm.She looked down at their joined hands but didn’t pull away.They walked out together.—The car ride was quiet.The city rolled past in blurred reflections against the windshield. Norman’s hands rested steady on the steering wheel. Gabriella traced invisible patterns on her fingers, glancin

The late afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the campus parking lot.Gabriella adjusted the strap of her bag and walked toward her car, exhaustion tugging lightly at her shoulders after a long day of lectures and club activities. The air carried the soft hum of students leaving for the day.She reached for her keys.“Gabi.”Her hand froze midair.She turned instantly, the voice too familiar to mistake.Norman was walking toward her.Not in a rush. Not hesitant either. Just steady. Intent.Her face lit up without effort, and before she could stop herself, she hurried toward him.“Norman! What are you doing here?” she asked, breath slightly uneven from the quick steps.She hadn’t expected him. Not here. Not at campus.They were dating now, yes—but wasn’t this… too sweet? Too much?“I came because I missed you,” he replied simply.She laughed, shaking her head. “Seriously? That’s your excuse? What about work? Don’t tell me you left just to see me.”He didn’t answer immediately. A