8
I thought that would be the last I’d see of Gabriel. Surely, after everything, he wouldn’t dare show up again.
But the next day, the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, there he was, holding a collection of items and wearing an awkward, remorseful
smile.
“Lexa,” he began softly, “I spent all night thinking and realized how terribly wrong I’ve been.”
“I know it’s too late to fix anything, but please, give me a chance to make things right.”
I tilted my head, curious. This was new–Gabriel Whitmore, humble and pleading. It almost made me want to see how far he’d go.
“I know your stomach’s sensitive, so I made you some porridge myself.” He lifted the lid, and the aroma of fresh seafood wafted out.
“It’s seafood porridge, made with the freshest ingredients.”
The smell turned my stomach. I didn’t hesitate to swat the bowl from his hands. Hot soup splashed across his skin, making him wince.
“Why?” he asked, his voice trembling as he held back tears.
“Did you forget I’m allergic to seafood?” I asked coldly.
Serena was the one who loved seafood. I still remembered her showing off in Interviews: “Gabe knows how much I love seafood, so he gets it flown in from Europe just for me.”
Gabriel froze, visibly shaken. His lips moved, but no sound came out.
“Admit it, Gabriel,” I said with a bitter smile. “Your heart hasn’t been mine for a long time.”
“It’s not true…” he whispered.
4:35 PM
<
.
I turned away. “This sudden effort to win me back isn’t love–it’s guilt. If I hadn’t shown you my diagnosis, you’d still think everything was my
fault.”
“So tell me, Gabriel, should I wait another year? Should I stand by while you marry Serena and start a family? Should I wait for you to throw me out then?”
“Lexa…” His voice broke. “I never-”
He trailed off, defeated. “You’ve always been my one true wife. I’ll leave Serena. I’ll devote my life to you.”
I laughed mirthlessly. “Too bad. I have standards. I don’t want a man who’s already dirty.”
“Now, leave,” I said, slamming the door shut.
I never saw Gabriel Whitmore again after that.
His public fallout with Serena Sterling became the scandal of the year.
But what I didn’t expect was how low his family would stoop to salvage his reputation.
My in–laws went on national TV, claiming Gabriel had hidden me because I was promiscuous and abusive toward them. Gabriel remained silent, even liking the media’s coverage of their lies.
Fortunately, the truth prevailed. Staff from Golden Horizon Care Center came forward to defend me.
“For three years, Lexa came here rain or shine, always kind and patient. It’s the Whitmores who were abusive to her.”
“She didn’t mistreat them; they mistreated her.”
With no room left for spin, Gabriel’s career collapsed. Sponsors dropped him, his studio dissolved, and his millions vanished overnight.
That evening, I received an anonymous message: a signed divorce contract.
“Lexa, can you forgive me?”
I deleted the message and returned to my screenplay.
Forgiveness?
Gabriel had simply reaped what he’d sown.
