Chapter 61: In-Person Love and Intimacy

I deliberately sat on Gabriel's lap again, right in front of Julian.

Suddenly I realized there were benefits to Gabriel being in a wheelchair - I could sit on his lap whenever I wanted.

Since he didn't push me away, I felt reassured and naturally sat more comfortably.

Today he had a blanket over his legs, and sitting on it felt soft and cushiony - the experience was excellent.

I wrapped my arms around Gabriel's neck, rested my head in the crook of his neck, and put on a sweet and obedient appearance.

"Of course, Gabriel is so wonderful, anyone would want to have his child. I'm no exception."

Gabriel didn't speak, his eyes seeming somewhat distant.

Julian appeared rather agitated, saying with apparent displeasure, "How old are you, already thinking about having a child for a man!"

I didn't get pregnant until I was almost twenty-seven, and he didn't care then, did he?

Now he's lecturing others about it.

Meeting his agitated eyes, a wicked thought suddenly popped into my head.

If Julian knew my identity, I would definitely whisper in his ear, "Since you didn't treasure the child you had with me, what right do you have to control me if I have children with other men?"

Too bad he doesn't know.

But that's okay, as long as it makes him uncomfortable.

The corners of my mouth lifted slightly, "Julian, don't let my young age fool you. Gabriel and I are already married, so having children is perfectly legal and reasonable."

"Also, don't let the wheelchair fool you - Gabriel's abilities are anything but lacking. Especially at night, my back gets so sore I can barely straighten up."

Gabriel hadn't expected me to be so bold. The redness behind his ears quickly spread, he swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

Julian's eyes filled with shock and disbelief. He opened his mouth, "You, you've already slept together?"

"Julian, you're a married man yourself. You should understand what it's like to be newlyweds. Oh sorry, I forgot you've been trying to kick your wife out of the house all along, so your marriage probably wasn't very happy."

"But you and Anastasia were together for years, so I don't need to spell those things out for you, do I?"

Like a bewitching siren, I reached out to caress Gabriel's face, putting on an affectionate look, "Gabriel is really amazing. My back hurts so much every night, can you rub it for me?"

Without caring about anything else, I forcibly grabbed Gabriel's wrist and pressed it against my waist.

I was wearing a knit sweater, but the moment Gabriel's hand touched my waist, he instantly froze, motionless, as if afraid of overstepping any boundary.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Julian's extremely dark expression, and felt thrilled inside.

Back then, when Julian had amnesia, he held Layla's waist just like this, ignoring me completely in the hospital corridor.

When I simply told Layla to "mind the boundaries," Julian frowned in displeasure and said to me, "Anastasia, just because you have a dirty mind doesn't mean everyone else is as filthy as you! Layla is my sister. She's not feeling well, what's wrong with me supporting her?"

The way he defended Layla back then still pierces my heart like needles when I think about it now.

Now, I'm just returning the favor, making him watch helplessly as I use this face that resembles Anastasia's to be intimate with someone else, while he can do nothing about it. That must feel terrible.

Torturing someone's heart is much more satisfying than the simple revenge of stabbing them directly.

I'll use this face to be lovey-dovey with Gabriel right in front of Julian, so that every time he sees it, it'll feel like a knife stabbing into his chest.

Julian, didn't you say when you had amnesia that you loved watching me suffer? Now it's your turn.

I want you to live in agony day and night, just like I did watching you and Layla together!

I nuzzled against Gabriel's neck, my voice soft and sweet, "Gabriel."

That slightly coquettish tone happened to reach Julian's ears - he heard it crystal clear.

Gabriel was wearing a casual white shirt with the collar slightly open, revealing a small patch of skin that had already turned a faint pink.

His voice was low and husky with nervousness, "What is it?"

"Gabriel, shouldn't we be leaving? I really can't wait to have a home that belongs just to the two of us."

"Okay."

I got up from his lap and pushed the wheelchair again, without giving Julian another glance.

"By the way, Gabriel, you still haven't answered my earlier question - do you prefer boys or girls?"

"How about we have two? One like you, one like me. Just thinking about it seems perfect!"

At these words, Julian suddenly looked up at me.

I had said the same words to him before. Bringing them up again now, his heart must be churning like stormy seas.

He probably remembers that we once had such moments of looking forward to the future together, except those images have long been torn to shreds.

Julian stared at my back in disbelief, then quickly caught up.

"Uncle Gabriel, I'm more familiar with house hunting than you two. I don't have anything going on today anyway, so let me come along and help you choose."

Gabriel glanced at him coolly, "Whatever."

Honestly, I can't quite understand what kind of feelings Gabriel has toward Julian.

To say they're very close - over all those years, they haven't had much contact.

From one perspective, they're competitors, but Gabriel left Sunset Ridge Town early to go abroad, struggling on his own.

Clearly, the signal he sent was that he didn't care about the Westbrook family's assets at all. He would fight for what he wanted himself, and had no intention of competing with Julian for anything.

Therefore, Lloyd was less guarded against him too.

But Gabriel suddenly returned to the country recently, gradually transferring his assets back, and even claimed he would take over the Westbrook family from Jack.

Jack didn't have much of a reaction to this.

But Lloyd, upon hearing the news, naturally worried that the Westbrook family assets that were about to fall into his hands wouldn't end up with Julian.

Plus, Gabriel's own abilities are remarkable, and the connections and resources he's accumulated abroad over the years are not to be underestimated. Lloyd inevitably grew more wary of Gabriel.

Although Julian works as a doctor at the hospital, Lloyd still makes him take time to understand company affairs, and even has him help handle company matters together, constantly telling him to be vigilant about Gabriel.

Julian initially thought it unnecessary, but with Lloyd's day-after-day "reminders," he gradually came to view Gabriel as a potential threat too.

But I don't know if it's my imagination - Gabriel doesn't seem to have the same wariness toward Julian that Julian has toward him.

He doesn't even seem to want to harm Julian, but rather has a somewhat indulgent attitude.