جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 89

I stared at my phone, my heart slamming against my ribs. The laughter of my team felt distant now, like I was underwater and they were on the surface.Do you really think Damiano will never find out about the twins?My fingers wouldn't stop shaking."Gabrielle?" Anna's voice cut through the fog. "You've gone pale. What happened?"I shoved the phone into my pocket. "Nothing. Just... wrong number."She didn't believe me, as I could see it in her eyes. But she didn't push."I need to check on the kids," I said, standing up so fast my chair scraped against the floor. "I'll be back."I walked to the bathroom and pulled out my phone again. My thumb hovered over the number, wanting to call, wanting to demand who this was and how they knew about Luca and Lia.But I couldn't.The number was blocked with no name and no trace.I sank onto the toilet lid, pressing my palms against my eyes until I saw stars. The tears came before I could stop them.I'd been so careful, five years of keeping my hea

The realization hit me like a physical blow: Damiano was still my husband. Legally, the children were his too. If he ever discovered Luca and Lia existed, everything I had carefully built over the past five years would come crashing down.I gripped the edge of Rachel's desk, my knuckles white."Then I have to do it," I whispered.Rachel studied my face, her expression cautious. "Do what?""Go back."Her eyes widened. "Gabrielle, think about this."“I had been thinking about it for five years,” I said, staring at the invitation. For five years, I had built a new life away from Damiano. I raised my children, grew my business, and learned to depend on myself.When I left, I was broken, but I wasn't broken anymore."I'm opening the store," I said, my voice firm.Rachel nodded slowly. "And the divorce?""I'm ending the marriage."The words scared me, but for the first time, they also felt liberating.Rachel leaned forward. "You understand what happens once you file, right?""He'll know I

For a moment, everything around me seemed to disappear as the sound of footsteps faded. All I could see were those words on my phone: Damiano De Luca will be attending the meeting in person.My fingers tightened around the phone.Of all the people I could face today, why did it have to be him?I slowly lifted my head and looked at Daniel. He had stopped beside me."You saw the message?" he asked.I nodded."Are you okay?"I swallowed,My heart was beating so hard that I could feel it against my ribs. My palms were cold, and for one foolish second, I wanted to turn around, take Luca and Lia, and leave this city before Damiano ever see us.But I couldn't...I had already spent five years running; I wasn't going to run again."I'm fine," I said.Daniel studied my face. "Gabrielle…""I can do this."He didn't argue.We walked out of the hotel and got into the car. The entire drive to the meeting, I stared through the window; everything looked normal, but inside me, everything was shaking

The elevator doors closed, but I could still feel Damiano's eyes on me.I stood beside Daniel, staring at the silver doors as they carried us down. My hands were still shaking; I pressed them together, hoping Daniel wouldn't notice, but he did."You don't have to pretend with me," he said quietly.I looked at him. "Pretend what?""That you're fine."I looked away, and the elevator continued downward."I am fine."Daniel gave me a small look. "Gabrielle."I sighed. "I just want to go home."He nodded. "Then that's what we'll do."When the elevator opened, I walked out quickly.Outside, the afternoon air hit my face, and I took a deep breath.I had spent five years building a life without him. I had my children, my company, my money, and my own name. I had survived the nights when I cried myself to sleep and wondered if leaving had been a mistake.And now, after one meeting, he has managed to bring every old feeling back. I hated him for it, but I hated myself even more for still caring

The question hit me harder than a slap for a second; I couldn't move as the office around me faded away. I tightened my grip around Luca's shoulder; he looked up at me, confused by the sudden tension. "Mommy?" I forced a smile. "It's okay, baby." But my voice shook, and Damiano noticed. His eyes moved from Luca to me again, and there was something different in his face now as the cold confidence he usually carried was gone. He looked shocked and almost lost. "Gabrielle," he said quietly. "Answer me." I swallowed hard. "He has my eyes." Damiano's brows pulled together. "No." My heart jumped. He stepped closer. "I've seen your eyes, Gabrielle, and those aren't yours." My palms turned cold… I looked around the room, and everyone quickly looked away. Anna's smile disappeared, and Grace stood completely still. I couldn't let this continue. "Damiano, this isn't the place for this conversation." His jaw tightened. "Then where is it?" "Anywhere but not here." He looked at Luca