Chapter 62

Before I knew it, it was the weekend of the Clarity Gala. I asked Gabriel what it was for, and he said it was for polar bears. The charity gala was definitely for polar bears, judging by the huge white bear banner at the entrance and the countless posters about the effects of global warming on them.

This was my third charity gala, and it was the most fun. Arthur and Lily weren't there. Anna and I stayed together the entire time; Gabriel even danced with me at the end, and a few older women gushed over what a good pair we made.

My black gown ended up on the floor of Gabriel's room, just like my two previous dresses should have, but didn't. I slept entwined with Gabriel that night, and everything felt right.

But on the following Tuesday, I received the call I'd been dreading for years. It was from my grandfather's caretaker, and a part of me knew what it was before I even answered. I hoped I was wrong, I prayed I was wrong, but I wasn't.

I was downstairs, submitting files and meeting with HR to finalize my employment contract when the call came. My whole world felt like it was shaking, and having no idea what to do, I did the best I could. Taking deep breaths and holding back my tears, I ran to Gabriel's office.

Peter had been on holiday for a week, and Gabriel's interim assistant stared at me as if I had two heads. "You cannot see Sir," he said, his voice sympathetic but firm. "He's in an important meeting and asked not to be disturbed."

"Look, I—I know. It's Logan, isn't it? Your name?"

He nodded.

"I am his wife," I told him. "My name is Sofia. Just tell him I've come to see him. It's urgent. Please."

Logan, the young man with blond hair, looked at me reluctantly. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I wish I could, but Sir Gabriel didn't mention any exceptions."

"I'm his wife, damn it!" I screamed, louder than I intended. I gulped to compose myself. "Please. Just please. Tell him. Once. It's an emergency."

He hesitated. I was holding back tears, on the verge of breaking down.

As if by a miracle, Gabriel's office door opened. "Why the commotion, Logan?" he asked, his eyes widening in surprise as they fell on me. "Freckles?"

Tears filled my eyes. "What's wrong, Freckles?" He quickly approached, his hands firmly on my shoulders, steadying me as my knees felt wobbly.

"Grandp… he… he… Gabriel," I couldn't finish the sentence without sobbing.

Gabriel stiffened. "When?"

"Ten minutes ago… I got a call." The lump in my throat grew. "Need to go, now, Gabriel. Need to go."

"Let's go, sweetheart."

Logan perked up. "Sir, your meeting. Should I tell the clients you had to leave due to a family emergency?"

"What did she tell you? Who is she?"

"Your wife, Sir."

"You think you have the right to refuse my wife access to me?" Gabriel gritted. "Tell the clients that, then let yourself out. You're fired."

I wanted to tell him it wasn't his fault, that he was just doing his job, but I couldn't speak. I was afraid I'd collapse. His hands intertwined with mine as he led me out of the building. Everyone we passed stared at us, but I barely noticed, replaying memories of my grandfather in my head.

Gabriel drove. He mentioned wanting to hold me, but focusing on driving faster than the usual driver was more important. We completed a three-hour journey in under two, but even that felt too long.

Alister and Leila called repeatedly, but I couldn't speak. I was too afraid of breaking down.

Everything froze when we arrived. Standing on the porch, I remembered my last visit, a week and a half earlier, and his hug. I wished I'd hugged him tighter.

Gabriel held my hand tightly as we entered the house, silencing hushed conversations. Mrs. Riley, Sam, Alice, the caretaker, even the old man across the street—my grandfather's chess partner—turned to look at me.

"Sofia…" Mrs. Riley said, tears streaming down her face.

I took a deep breath. "Where?"

"In his room. He was sleeping. He passed peacefully. The caretaker said it was painless."

It was painless. That should have made it better, but it didn't. I wasn't ready.

I looked at Gabriel. "Come with me?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

My shaky legs carried me inside, and when I saw him, lying on his bed, pale and cold under the blanket, the tears I'd been holding back poured forth. Tears turned to sobs, then cries. Gabriel held me close, kissing my forehead, but it wasn't enough. I was breaking apart in his arms. I had lost the man who'd cared for me after my parents died, the man who'd been my father, provider, teacher, and the source of my kindness and love. I lost the man I'd lived for, and a chilling realization hit me: I wasn't orphaned when my parents died because he'd taken their place; today, I was truly orphaned.