Chapter 151: Held Hostage By My Own Fears

Gabriel's POV

The vibrating sound came first.

Then the soft thud of my phone against the desk as it lit up again.

Clairessa was calling for the tenth time this hour.

I tried to look away, tried to focus on the reports in front of me, but my traitorous

heart wouldn't cooperate. I reached for the phone, tempted to toss it into the

drawer and forget it existed.

But my fingers hovered, trembling slightly. No matter how hard I tried to ignore her

call, my chest clenched each time I saw her name.

It was already evening. The sun had set, and I still hadn't moved—same

position, surrounded by silence—except for her persistent calls.

I finally gave in and picked up the phone.

Thirty missed calls.

A dozen unread messages.

Messages lined my screen like daggers pressing against my chest.

I scrolled past each one, feeling my heart betray me.

Babe... have you landed?

Gabe, what's wrong?

I'm worried.

Talk to me.

I heard you're back. Went to see you but Tems didn't let me through.

Please talk to me. I'm losing my mind.

I love you!

Why are you avoiding me?

Did I do something?

We can talk about it.

What about our dinner plans?

Gabriel Storm I love you!

That last one gutted me.

"I love you."

How could she say that so sweetly, so easily, while stabbing me in the back?

It was hard to believe. My sweet, beautiful Clairessa... the woman who melted in

my arms, who looked at me like I was her entire world—could really be cheating

on me.

I should hate her.

had evidence, didn't I? That damn picture. Her

Hands on her waist like he owned her. I

every damn text, torn her out of my

bastard I'd always been.

hovered over

I didn't trust Nicole. That viper

smile, and make it seem like the truth. I had to

needed to

on my phone.

I'd never done for anyone

now, but I

leave her

So, I replied.

Dinner, 8 PM.

air. No crowd.

came almost

Clairessa: So you're alive!

tone came through even in the text,

mouth lifted

happy you finally replied. I'll

Shit.

running a hand down my face. I couldn't avoid it

eyes and get the truth—whether

could take it. If she

true, it would shatter me beyond

muttered

from my

the shelf. I poured

into a

catching the

I tossed it

did little to numb the

in my chest.

Trey announced

I didn't move.

gone by since I told Clairessa to meet me, and now we

rooftop restaurant.

the perfect

came

was seated by the light,

told her to wait.

toyed with her

strands and

like she

scene. Her

like it

her

sultry, and completely her.

God, she looked breathtaking.

days, but it felt like

her. I wanted nothing more than

up into my arms, and kiss

nothing else mattered.

the doubts and evidence and rumors vanished. Until I could believe

love to her like none of it ever

on the door handle—and didn't move. I

my own

was a

A big one.

Not around her. Not when she looked

much I

made me stupid. Vulnerable.

her. Not when I hadn't even begun to recover

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