The family dinner was strained, with everyone eating in uncomfortable silence.
Having nothing to say to her family, Gabriella retreated to her room early. Spotting the gift box on her desk reminded her she still hadn’t given Asher..
his watch.
She called him.
“Asher? Remember that gift I mentioned? Are you
“I am.”
at
estate? I could bring it over.”
“Perfect. I’ll be there shortly.”
Meanwhile, at Drake’s penthouse…
When Drake and Sienna entered, Rosa looked past them expectantly. “Mr. Ashcroft, isn’t Miss Rodriguez with you?”
Drake frowned. “She’s not here?”
Suddenly uneasy, Drake took the stairs two at
“She hasn’t been home for days, sir. I thought she was
with you.”
2
time.
In Gabriella’s room, the transformation was stark. Her vanity was stripped bare–no cosmetics, no skincare products. The personal touches that had made the room hers were gone.
He yanked open the closet. Empty.
Every trace of Gabriella had vanished, leaving the room as pristine as before she’d moved in.
Drake’s breathing quickened. He shouted down to Rosa: “When did she move her things out?”
The housekeeper flinched at his tone. “The room was empty when I came to clean the next day. I thought you knew…”
Drake’s fists clenched as he pulled out his phone. The call wouldn’t connect–he’d been blocked.
He immediately called Celine. Gabriella had few friends in New York; Celine had been closest to her.
Celine sounded surprised. “Gabriella? No, I haven’t seen her. Let me try messaging her.”
A moment later: “She’s blocked me too.”
Drake froze.
Standing nearby, Sienna had pieced it together. Her heart leaped–Gabriella had actually left.
“Drake… does this mean you’ve broken up?”
The question stunned him.
Break up?
He hadn’t meant that. His words that night–about never wanting to see her again–had been spoken in anger.
Even when she’d blocked him, he’d assumed she was just sulking, waiting for him to apologize.
But emptying her room of every possession? Was that really just a tantrum?
Seeing his troubled expression, Sienna slipped her arm through his. “If you’ve broken up, let’s respect that. We could take a trip, clear your head,”
Drake’s initial panic had transformed into anger.
17:05
The Enervnted Line to the White House: A Scorned Heiress’s Annihilation
Fine. So Gabriella thought she could just walk away from him.
Let’s see how long she lasted. Ten days? Two weeks?
Her disappearing act infuriated him. He’d let her stew for a while.
He’d show her that he was perfectly fine without her.
Ile forced a smile. “A trip sounds good. Where would you like to go?”
“Really?” Sienna brightened. “I was thinking Montana–the fall colors at Glacier National Park are supposed to be stunning.”
Glacier National Park.
Why did that sound so famiGabbyr?
Then he remembered–Gabriella had mentioned wanting to go there during fall break.
He’d dismissed it: “Everything’s crowded during holidays. What’s the point?”
It was fall break now. His instinct was to refuse, but thinking of Gabriella changed his mind.
“Montana sounds perfect.”
Later, still unsettled despite watching TV with Sienna, he made an excuse to leave.
Sienna didn’t press him. She understood he needed time to adjust to Gabriella’s absence.
She smiled graciously. “Of course. I’ll be here when you return.”
Outside, Drake called Mason.
“Drinks tonight? Get Chase and the others too.”
At their usual private club, Chase greeted him: “Just you? Where’s Sienna?”
Drake gave him an odd look. “Why would she be here?”
“Uh…” Chase floundered.
Before he could recover, Drake added: “Gabriella’s my girlfriend. Why aren’t you asking about her?”
Chase stared.
“Come on, Drake. Since Sienna got back, she’s been at every gathering. Didn’t you say Gabriella was too boring for our crowd?”
Drake’s expression turned pecuGabbyr.
He couldn’t argue with that.
Mason quickly changed the subject. “Haven’t seen you out lately. Been busy?”
Drake sank into a couch, lighting a cigarette. “Been at the hospital with Sienna. She was injured.”
Mason’s expression turned strange. “Didn’t you just say Gabriella was your girlfriend? She was okay with you spending days at the hospital with Sienna?”
Drake’s face darkened.
Okay with it? She was trying to break up with him!
He took a long drag. “She wants to end things.”
The men exchanged awkward glances, regretting the topic.
Chase scoffed. “Gabriella? Break up with you? You’re probably the best she could ever get. Ten days max before she comes crawling back.
Annihilation
Chapter 39
“Agreed. She’s been crazy about you for three years. Eight days, tops,”
“She’s just throwing a tantrum, waiting for you to chase her. Two weeks maximum before she’s begging to reconcile.”
Drake’s expression cleared at their words.
He sipped his drink dismissively. “Chase her? Not happening.”
Then Mason asked quietly: “But… what if she doesn’t come back?”
The question stopped Drake cold.
What would he do if Gabriella didn’t return?
He realized he’d never considered that possibility.
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.