CHAPTER 31: DO YOU BELIEVE HIM, REINA?

CHAPTER 31: DO YOU BELIEVE HIM, REINA?
“Gavin?”

My voice shook as the name slipped from my lips the moment our eyes met.

I couldn’t see his whole face yet. A piece of cloth covered the lower half of it, and the black hoodie he wore made him almost unrecognizable. The color felt wrong on him like it wasn’t the Gavin I knew.

“Gavin?” I called again, my tone heavier this time, as if saying his name was that heavy.

Slowly, he tugged the mask away and lifted his head. My breath caught the second his eyes locked with mine.

GAVIN’S POV

“Gavin?” She called my name like she was completely sure it was me.

Like she really knew me.

I pulled off my mask, trusting her with all of me. For a moment, I forgot to hide.

I lifted my head and met her eyes.

Worry. Pain. Sadness. A glimpse of happiness. Then confusion. Surprise. Every emotion was there, crashing into me all at once.

“How’s… it going?” I asked, my voice was soft.

Her eyes shifted so fast—rage mixing with disbelief.

“How’s it going? Are you serious, Gavin? You… you’re the one who made him like this! And you even tried to kill me!” Her voice rose, sharp and trembling.

My brows pulled together, shock and confusion twisting inside me.

Was she… blaming me for Jake being stabbed?

“Reina, I don’t—”

“I saw it, Gavin!” she cut me off. “Jake pulled your hoodie by accident. I saw the color of your hair… this same hoodie you’re wearing right now. So don’t you dare deny it.”

She didn’t give me space to explain. Not even one word.

So I forced a bitter smile. A fake one. The kind that makes people feel less uncomfortable and awkward. That’s what I do best, isn’t it?

I taught her everything I could. But there’s one thing she still refuses to learn.

Communication. She didn't ask for truth before she act.

“Do you believe what Jake said to you?” I finally asked while my eyes were locked on hers.

She avoided it like she always does when she’s scared to face the truth. When she’s afraid she might be wrong.

“Did you do it?” she asked me instead of answering my question.

“No.” I shook my head lightly. “I asked you first, Reina. Do you believe him?”

Her lips parted, but instead of replying, she tried again. “Did you—”

“Do you believe him?” I cut her off, but my voice was sharper this time.

She let out a shaky breath that made her shoulders sinking. Then finally, she whispered the word that shattered me.

“Yes.”

That single word broke me. But instead of showing it, I forced a smile and gave a small nod.

“Then if you believe him, you don’t have to ask me.”

She stayed silent. She keep her walls high, strong, and unbreakable.

And yet, I was proud. At least she wasn’t walking away this time. At least she remembered one thing I taught her—don’t let your guard down.

I smiled faintly and turned to leave.

But then, I felt it that her hand clutching my sleeve, stopping me. I didn’t pull away. I just stood there, letting her be the one to release it if she wanted. I didn’t want her to feel like I was shutting her out too.

I paused mid-step and speak, “But always remember this… if you need anything, if you need me, and if you want me by your side, just say the word I told you. And I’ll be there.”

Her voice trembled. “S-solace.”

That made me smile. At least she remembered. At least she still held onto something. Even if it hurt, I was the one who planted it deep inside her heart.

So I left. Not because I wanted to, but because I knew… she would need her solace one day. Just not now.

And even though every part of me wanted to tell her the truth, that Jake set me up, that he wasn’t the man she thought he was—I couldn’t. Not yet. Because saying it now would destroy her completely.

She’ll know one day.
And when that day comes… she’ll see who really stayed on her side.

REINA’S POV

The moment he was gone, I collapsed on the floor, my back against the wall.

“Did I… misunderstand him?” I whispered to myself.

My hand went to the necklace around my neck. The one Jake gave me. I held it tight.

“I hope you’re telling me the truth,” I said under my breath.

When I finally stood up, the elevator doors opened. Mom, Dad, and Katie stepped out. Their eyes widened when they saw me.

“Reina? What are you doing here?” Mom asked right away.

I straightened my posture and forced a small smile.
“I was just… catching some air. It felt suffocating inside.”

My eyes landed on Katie.

“Hi, Reina,” she greeted softly while waving at me.

“Should we go inside?” I asked instead.

I didn’t wave back. I didn’t greet her. I noticed how they exchanged glances with each other before putting on fake smiles.

“Yeah. Jake must be waiting for us,” Dad said.

I turned and led the way.

The bodyguards lined up along the hallway bowed as we passed.

All of them belonged to Jake.

Of course. He was the Margaux heir. The eldest son. No wonder he could give me jewelry like it was nothing.

And Gavin? They called him a rascal. A troublemaker. But deep inside… I felt he was more than that.

“Katie, go and greet your cousin’s fiancée,” Mom said happily.

Katie stepped inside without even looking at me and without a single word.

But before she could come closer, a woman stopped her. The same woman Jake had brought into the house.

“No one is allowed near my cousin… only Reina,” she said firmly.

So she’s just his cousin.

I straightened my back and proudly walked closer to Jake, who was still asleep.

“Trix, I’m Jake’s cousin and also your biggest fan. I’m sorry for the last time,” she said in a soft voice as she extended her hand.

I accepted her handshake and gave her a genuine smile.

But Mom’s voice cut through the air, sharp.
“You dare ignore your cousin when she said hi, but now you’re shaking hands with a stranger? Someone who isn’t even blood-related to you?”

She stepped closer and was about to pull me away.

But then, another hand caught mine.

Jake’s.

His fingers tightened around mine as his eyes fluttered open.

He was finally awake.

“You can take your food and leave,” Jake said, his voice heavy with anger. “If you can’t respect my future wife, then you’re free to go. The door is right there. And the next time you try this with her, I’ll make you pay. I’ll cut off everything your family gets from us. Remember, your family is nothing without ours.”

He shifted his gaze to me, his tone softening just for a second.

“Reina doesn’t need your money, nor any of you. She’s already mine, signed to be my wife, and soon she’ll inherit everything I own. So if you dare disrespect her again, I’ll make sure all your dirty secrets are exposed for the world to see.”

Then he looked at Mom’s hand gripping my arm. His eyes turned sharp and cold.
“Care to let her go?” he asked.

Mom instantly pulled her hand back and everyone stepped away without complaining or anything.

“You can take the food with you,” Jake added.