Chapter 282 If You Feel Shortchanged, You Can Make It Back by Touching

Chapter 282 If You Feel Shortchanged, You Can Make It Back by Touching

Gabriel's face flushed red. He hesitated, words hovering on the tip of his tongue for a long while, but he still couldn't muster the courage to speak them.

"I've said more than once that I didn't want the divorce. I thought you understood what I meant." In the end, he chose a veiled confession.

Arabella nodded. "I understand. It's for the children, right? They're so young—they need their mother and a complete family."

Gabriel was so furious his head spun. He pointed at her and took several deep breaths. "Arabella, fine! Just keep playing dumb!"

With that, no longer wanting to see her evasive, innocent expression, he deliberately brushed past her and shoved her as he went.

Arabella stumbled from the push, her lower back hitting the sofa's backrest. Pain shot through her spine.

But Gabriel didn't care. He strode away with long steps and slammed the door behind him.

"You're sick!" she muttered through clenched teeth at his retreating figure.

How was this her fault?

The vast gap between their social status and family backgrounds.

Their past of hurting each other.

His first love.

His mother's fierce opposition.

Any one of these alone was enough to make someone think twice, let alone all four combined.

Even if Emily had gone abroad and was no longer an obstacle between them; even if she could set aside past grievances and stop dwelling on old wounds—there were still two mountains standing between them.

And all he'd done was send ambiguous signals. He hadn't directly and honestly said he loved her or that he'd protect her from life's storms. How could she dare assume too much?

This freedom had been so hard to win. Just because he'd thrown her a few crumbs of sweetness, should she dive headfirst back in?

Arabella unconsciously shook her head. She couldn't do it. She no longer had the courage or fearlessness she'd possessed three years ago.

Even if Gabriel knelt on one knee right now and solemnly proposed, saying "Arabella, I love you—marry me again"—she'd still need to think carefully and consider it thoroughly.

Let alone when he hadn't even stated his intentions clearly, playing these ambiguous games—who knew what he really meant?

She'd assumed that after their unpleasant exchange, he'd at least ignore her for the night. But as Arabella was making the bed before sleep, her bedroom door swung open.

She whirled around in surprise to see him entering with a cold expression, looking ready to pick a fight.

Arabella straightened up and asked nervously, "What's wrong? Do you need something?"

Gabriel looked at her fresh from the shower—her long hair casually pinned in a messy bun with strands falling around her temples, her face bare of makeup like a lotus emerging from clear water. She looked like a young girl just awakening to romance.

His heart stirred with desire.

They'd been separated for some time now. He'd finally gotten her back to his territory, yet he was supposed to behave like a perfect gentleman? Sorry, but he couldn't do that.

Seeing her nervous apprehension, Gabriel approached and raised the medicine in his hand. "What are you afraid of? I'm just reminding you it's time for your medication."

Arabella looked at the medicine in his hand and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She stepped forward and raised her hand. "Thank you. I can—"

Before she could finish, his hand suddenly withdrew, pulling the medicine back.

Arabella looked puzzled.

"I came all the way here. You think I'd let you do it yourself?" Gabriel replied sarcastically and walked toward her.

Arabella immediately tensed. "It's not necessary. I can manage on my own."

She reached out again, but the man grabbed her wrist and pulled her directly into his arms.

"Gabriel!" The desire in his eyes was blatant. Arabella panicked.

Although fulfilling the contract was inevitable sooner or later, she didn't want it to happen at Parkside Estate.

As his ex-wife, staying here was already improper. If they became intimate on top of that...

She couldn't get past that mental barrier.

It would feel like she'd deliberately come back to tempt him.

"You've... you've been working so hard these past few days. Get some rest early. I'll apply the medicine myself." She pressed both hands against his chest, tactfully refusing.

Gabriel stared intently at her shy, flushed face, his low, husky tone especially seductive. "My exhaustion is my business. Fulfilling the contract is yours."

"But... you're still sick."

"It doesn't matter." He smiled, his eyes tender. "I won't kiss you today, hmm?"

Arabella's face turned crimson, her eyes darting around with nowhere to settle.

This wasn't just about kissing. Even without kissing, when things heated up and breathing grew heavy, being so close meant germs would transfer anyway.

"Be good... listen to me. Let's apply the medicine first." Taking advantage of her distraction, Gabriel's large hand gently began to remove her nightgown.

Arabella frowned tightly. "Gabriel... wait, wait two days, just two days..."

Seeing the panic and evasion in her eyes, he frowned with displeasure.

Seeing his hesitation, Arabella immediately raised her hand to swear. "I promise I won't lie to you. In a couple days when Isabella's better, I'll be in the mood. You don't want me distracted and killing your interest, do you?"

She was gradually learning how to handle Gabriel.

Gabriel did indeed treasure every opportunity to "fulfill the contract." After all, with once-a-month intimacy, he always went in determined to get his money's worth.

If something was weighing on her mind and she couldn't fully engage, it would definitely affect the mood.

"Then let me apply the medicine for you." After a moment of silence, he finally compromised.

"No..." Arabella was about to refuse when she suddenly realized something and quickly changed her answer. "Fine... but make it quick."

She knew that even if this guy didn't do anything tonight, he'd definitely take advantage of the opportunity to satisfy his desires.

If she didn't agree to let him apply the medicine, he'd definitely keep pestering her to fulfill the agreement.

In the end, she'd have no choice but to climb obediently into bed and undress.

Although Zachary had already received his due punishment, when Gabriel saw the bruises covering her body, he still couldn't help but reveal his murderous intent.

Seeing the fierce look on his face, Arabella's eyes darted around as she actively sought conversation topics. "You're going to work tomorrow, right? You seem pretty busy."

Gabriel glanced at her. "What, planning to sneak away again while I'm gone?"

Arabella rolled her eyes. "What do you mean 'sneak away'? I need to go to work too."

"How's that broken studio of yours doing lately?" Gabriel asked casually about her career, actually wanting to know if she'd guessed who was sabotaging her behind the scenes.

Arabella frowned with concern. "It's okay... everything's hard at the start. I'll just keep persevering."

"Nine out of ten startups fail. Yet you're mysteriously confident," Gabriel said dismissively.

Arabella couldn't be bothered to respond. She also didn't mention that her work was about to be published.

He'd probably just pour cold water on it anyway.

After applying the medicine, Arabella got dressed and prepared for bed, only to have the man's arm block her path as he lay down beside her. "Why bother getting dressed? Too much trouble. Go to sleep."

She froze and looked at him. "Are you tonight—"

"I'm sleeping here tonight."

"Gabriel!" she called out softly but angrily.

"Just sleeping. It's not like we haven't slept together before. Keep fussing and I won't mind doing something else," Gabriel said lightly while lying on his back, looking at her small face propped up and staring at him, his tone threatening.

Arabella was speechless with anger. She resolutely put her clothes back on, burrowed under the covers, and put distance between them.

But the man stuck to her like adhesive tape, pulling her tightly into his embrace.

That would have been fine.

But after only a few seconds of behaving, the hand that had been resting on her waist began to misbehave, rising upward to settle on her chest.

"Gabriel!" She faced away from him, growling the warning through clenched teeth.

But he showed no fear. He even kissed her ear and coaxed softly, "If you feel shortchanged, you can touch me back."

She squeezed her eyes shut, pretending he didn't exist, forcing herself to sleep.

But the more she forced it, the more awake her mind became. She remained highly alert, afraid this guy would suddenly turn over and pin her beneath him.

However, after maintaining this tension for a while, there was still no movement behind her.

She quietly turned her head to look at him, only to hear his even breathing—he'd already fallen deeply asleep.

It seemed the recent travel and turmoil had truly exhausted him. His eyes were ringed with dark circles.

Thinking of everything he'd quietly done for her, Arabella's heart tangled again. If only he'd treated her this way earlier—how wonderful that would have been.

As her nerves relaxed, drowsiness slowly crept over her. She yawned involuntarily and tried to move the hand from her chest, but as soon as she removed it, the claw seemed to have a mind of its own and returned to its position.

Arabella was speechless.

This guy was definitely a pervert! Even asleep, he couldn't resist copping a feel!

Thinking he was just taking small liberties and wouldn't actually do anything serious, she fumed internally but then let him be...