Chapter 30
She called Asher.
He answered quickly, his voice gentle. “Found a favorite among those gowns, Gabby?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Which one do you prefer?”
She heard his soft chuckle. “Didn’t I say to get all three? My assistant’s already secured them.”
“That fast? I just posted.”
“Limited editions sell out quickly. Wouldn’t want to miss them.”
“Thank you, Asher.”
“Gabby, you’re my fiancée now. We’re family. No need for thanks.”
True enough, but she couldn’t quite step into the fiancée role yet. In her heart, Asher was still the patient tutor from next door.
“By the way, getting around New York by Uber must be tiresome. I’ve arranged for a car. Just send me the address for delivery.”
Gabriella felt a pang of guilt. Asher must know why she’d fled to New York to escape their arranged marriage, why her father had cut off her accounts.
She’d been living like any other working professional in New York–no car, no property.
Her London friends had offered to “sponsor” her, but she’d refused.
She’d only accepted help for those first two months, paying them back as soon as she started earning.
Now here was Asher, the very person she’d run from, offering her a car without a hint of resentment.
Shame tightened her grip on the phone.
“Really, ride–sharing is fine.”
A hint of hurt crept into Asher’s voice. “Are you still so reluctant about our engagement?”
Gabriella shook her head instinctively, then remembered he couldn’t see her.
“No, Asher. I agreed to this engagement because I want to. I just… I’m coming back to London in a few days anyway. A car seems unnecessary.”
“No matter. We can have it shipped back.”
“But-”
“Don’t you have that court appearance in Jersey next week? Driving would be easier.”
Gabriella blinked in surprise.
“How did you know about that?”
“You posted about it two months ago.”
Gabriella paused.
The hearing was indeed scheduled for September 25th at the circuit court in New Jersey. She’d made a casual Instagram post joking about the “business trip,” planning to try that famous ramen place everyone talked about and maybe do some sightseeing.
Asher’s voice carried a warm smile. “Having a car would make it more convenient. You could explore the area after court.”
Standing in his London office overlooking the city lights, Asher’s expression softened.
Three years ago, learning about her modest life in New York, he’d wanted desperately to help–buy her a car, an apartment, anything. But he’d had no
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The Encrypted Line to the White House: A Scorned Heiress’s Annihilation
26.45
Chapter 30
right then. Any gifts would have been refused.
Now things were different. Their engagement finally gave him the right to care for her properly.
Gabriella felt something shift in her chest at his words, like ripples spreading across still water.
Her Instagram posts were set to delete after three days. Sometimes she forgot what she’d posted herself, yet Asher remembered every detail.
Drake had never paid attention to her posts like that.
Even when she’d explicitly told him about business trips, he’d still call on the day, confused about her absence.
She’d mentioned wanting to travel so many times, but Drake never seemed to care. Places she’d wanted to visit two years ago remained unseen.
So this was what it felt like to be truly noticed.
Gabriella stopped resisting and gave him the Tribeca address.
“You’ll be home tomorrow morning? I’ll have it delivered then.”
“Yes, I will.”
Shortly after hanging up, Drake returned–with Sienna.
Gabriella was watching TV in the living room, barely glancing at them.
Drake said nothing, but Sienna spoke up: “Gabriella, we meet again.”
Gabriella lounged on the sofa, eyes fixed on the true crime documentary, ignoring her.
Unfazed, Sienna sat down. “Such serious viewing habits.”
“Going to shower,” Drake announced, heading upstairs. Unclear who he was talking to.
“You saw the video.” Once Drake left, Sienna dropped her smile. “Drake loves me.”
Gabriella nodded absently, eyes still on the TV. “Noted.”
Her indifference irritated Sienna. “Playing it cool? Let’s see how long that lasts.”
“You’d know about playing parts,” Gabriella replied coldly.
Sienna scoffed, heading upstairs. “Drake, let’s shower together.”
She threw Gabriella a challenging look, wasted on her disinterested target.
At dinner, Drake and Sienna sat together, Gabriella alone.
Rosa set down a plate of steamed broccoli. “That’s everything.”
Gabriella frowned. “Rosa, why only these?”
The table was covered in green: lettuce, spinach, kale, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cucumber salad.
Nothing but vegetables.
“Sienna prefers vegetables,” Drake said flatly.
“Prefers vegetables?” Gabriella’s smile was sharp. “Or marking her territory in green?”
“Gabriella! What’s wrong with you?” Drake’s face darkened. “Watch your mouth!”
Gabriella’s eyes fixed on the obvious hickey on his neck.
Sienna had left it there deliberately for her to see.
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Chapter 30
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Gabriella smiled sweetly at Drake’s anger. “Are you sure I’m the one who needs watching?”
Drake glowered. “Eat or don’t. And Sienna’s staying here for a while. Get treed to vegetarian dinners or cook for yourself
They had a housekeeper, but Drake wouldn’t allow extra dishes. She remembered he’d never been fond of purely vegetarian meals before. He’d rather inconvenience himself than spare her feelings.
She knew he was still angry about the watch, but she felt no need to explain or apologize,
She hadn’t done anything wrong.
Gabriella set down her fork and left.
She could always order in.
The next morning, Asher’s car arrived.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.