Chapter 2

Gabriella’s POV

I instinctively tried to close the door, wanting to avoid a confrontation. Kayden blocked it with his foot, his eyes narrowing. “Why are you avoiding me?”

He leaned closer, studying my face. “You’re upset about Charlotte, aren’t you?”

I quickly shook my head. “Not at all. I’m happy for you both. You deserve each other.”

Something flickered in his eyes – dissatisfaction, perhaps.

“Really? Or is that sarcasm?” He let out a harsh laugh. “Come on, Gabriella. Don’t tell me you’re still not over me? That drunken kiss at your eighteenth birthday party – did you think I didn’t know about that?”

He continued, “All those love letters you’ve been hiding – I’ve read every single one. You thought you were so subtle, but everyone in this house could see right through you. Your eyes gave you away every time.”

“Not confessing was the smartest thing you ever did. I would have laughed in your face.”

“Laughed at how pathetic it was,” I retorted.

He strode past me to my desk, yanking open the bottom drawer. Grabbing a stack of letters, he scattered them across the floor, stepping on them deliberately.

“I’ve raised you since you were seven, Gabriella. I’ve been like a father to you, and this is how you repay me? Harboring these… feelings?”

“You knew Charlotte was the only one for you, yet you still wrote those disgusting letters. You make me sick!”

He leaned in close, whispering, “That’s why I came here – I saw how you looked at me yesterday when I was drugged. I know you wanted to ‘help’ me. Thank God you didn’t. I would have been revolted for life. You’re not worthy of touching me.”

My heart clenched painfully. Even though I no longer loved him, his cruel words still cut deep. After warning me to stay away from him and Charlotte, he slammed the door on his way out.

Not wanting to face them, I left to handle my overseas paperwork. I deliberately returned late, around 10 PM. The moment I entered my room, something felt off. My bed had been disturbed.

Then I saw Charlotte’s latest social media post – a selfie of her in bed with the caption: “Nothing like a luxury mattress for the perfect night’s sleep! I mentioned having trouble sleeping once, and he immediately replaced my mattress. This is what happens when a man truly loves you!?”

She’d taken my custom mattress – the $100,000 one Kayden had specially ordered when my back injury flared up earlier this year. He used to be kind to me, too. He knew exactly what it meant to treat a young girl he’d raised with affection, yet he’d encouraged my feelings. Now he stood on his moral high ground, condemning me for loving him. And now, based on a casual comment from Charlotte, he’d given away my mattress without even telling me.

Chapter 2 (continued)

Kayden appeared in my doorway, his voice casual. “Charlotte’s a light sleeper, so I gave her your mattress. Your back’s fine now anyway – any mattress will do.”

I didn’t look up, just mumbled a quiet, “Mm-hmm.”

His eyes narrowed. “What’s with this sudden maturity, Gabriella? You’re acting strange. Aren’t you usually furious when someone is favored over you? What are you plotting?”

“I’m warning you, if you try anything against Charlotte, you’ll regret it.”

I finally looked up. “I’m not plotting anything. I just want everyone to leave me alone.”

“Isn’t this what you always wanted, Kayden? For me to grow up? You should be happy now, shouldn’t you?”

He pressed his lips together, his voice dripping with sarcasm: “Oh, so now you’re Little Miss Perfect, are you? How wonderful.”

He stormed out, slamming the door – his typical reaction when angry. But I had no interest in soothing his temper anymore. His anger meant nothing to me now. Soon, I would be gone.