Seven Proposals Too Late의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 10

Guilt flickered across Isabella McCarthy's face. "Gabriel, I'm sorry. I know I've put you through a lot. But Owen's parents died saving my life. I can't just abandon him."She lifted the engagement ring between them. "Give me your hand. I managed to get the marriage paperwork this time. Say yes, and we can go straight to city hall. Once we're legally married, Owen will have to accept it."Her eyes shone with desperate hope. Gabriel Hart couldn't make himself raise his hand.This was the seventh proposal.The first time Owen had ruined one, Gabriel had been devastated. After the second, he'd asked how much longer they had to wait. By the third and fourth, he'd stopped asking. Now, faced with a seventh diamond ring, he couldn't even summon the strength to accept.He looked at the glittering stone and remembered when everything had been different.Back then, he was an orphan attending Halbrook University on financial aid. He wore plain white shirts, smiled easily, and was known as o

Before Gabriel could finish, Isabella's phone rang.Owen's tearful voice poured through the speaker. "Bella, where are you? You think I'm a burden now, don't you?"She rubbed her temples, murmured a few reassurances, and stood."Gabriel, get some rest. I'll come back later."He watched her hurry away with a sad, crooked smile. Only after the door closed did he finish the sentence she'd interrupted."Isabella, I'm not waiting anymore."Two weeks left. After that, he hoped he'd never see her again.On the day he was discharged, Gabriel handled the paperwork himself. When he arrived home, Isabella was waiting near the entrance.She wore a crisp white blouse and carried a large navy suitcase. At the sight of him, uncertainty crossed her face."Gabriel! You're out already? Why didn't you ask me to pick you up?"He said nothing. If she'd cared enough to remember his discharge date, he wouldn't have needed to remind her.Noticing his eyes on the suitcase, Isabella looked guilty."

As Gabriel left the hospital, he headed for the rear passenger door. Isabella stopped him."Sit up front, Gabriel. I've adjusted the seat to your favorite position so you won't get sick.""Owen isn't coming?"His voice was flat, but she took it as another complaint about Owen."Gabriel, he didn't mean what happened. Don't start again."Gabriel opened the door without another word.Normally, they would have filled the drive with conversation. Today, silence crowded the car. Then unfamiliar buildings began appearing outside Gabriel's window."This isn't the way home. Where are we going?""It's my father's birthday. We're going to his party."Gabriel turned sharply. "You didn't ask me. Turn around. I want to go home.""What's wrong with you?" Isabella snapped. "You used to care so much about these occasions. You always started shopping for his present weeks early. Why wouldn't you want to go?"'Because I'm leaving you. I don't need your parents' approval anymore.'But he could

Gabriel hung up and opened his messages. As expected, Owen had already sent another taunting photograph.It showed him at Westgate Galleria. Gabriel left immediately.His phone buzzed on the way: a bank notification followed by a message from Victoria.Five million dollars had been deposited into an account in his name."Your departure is almost arranged. I hope you're not planning to change your mind," her message read. "I've transferred the money. You'll be able to use it once you've left. But if you try anything, that same transfer can be used against you. Don't make trouble."Gabriel understood. After the birthday-party disaster, she wanted to remind him who held the power.He didn't care."I wish I could leave today," he wrote back.Her reply came at once. "Good. You'll be gone by the morning after tomorrow at the latest."He felt himself relax for the first time in days.At the mall, he found Owen alone on the second floor, browsing an expensive jewelry boutique.Owen

Isabella scrolled anxiously through her messages. The last message she'd sent Gabriel was marked read, but there was no reply.She refreshed the conversation again. Nothing.Even when she texted in the middle of the night, Gabriel usually answered within half an hour. It had been much longer now.An inexplicable fear took hold. Something important was slipping out of her control."Bella, what do you think of this shirt?"Owen twirled in front of her, smiling."Looks good. Buy it." Isabella barely glanced up. "My mother hasn't seen you in a few days. She wants you to come to lunch.""I'd love to! I miss her."He looped his arm through hers. Isabella eased herself away and checked her watch."It's about time. I'll have the driver take you there."She handed her black credit card to the sales associate.Owen's smile vanished. "You're not coming?" He pushed her away, eyes filling with tears. "You're dumping me so you can see Gabriel again, aren't you? Did you forget what you pro