Chapter 109 Forced Kiss
Arabella returned home after viewing the apartment, arriving just after eight in the evening.
After placing the expressed breast milk in the refrigerator, she turned to see Mary approaching with Henry, who immediately reached out his arms for a hug.
She hadn't washed up or changed clothes yet, but Henry couldn't wait any longer, practically launching himself from Mary's arms into hers.
"Has work been keeping you very busy, ma'am? You've been working late every day," Mary asked with concern.
Arabella felt apologetic. "Yes, I've been tied up with a project proposal these past few days. Almost finished now."
"That's good. Once things settle down, try to come home earlier. Henry and Isabella are growing so fast—they need both parents around more."
"I'll do my best," Arabella said, bouncing Henry and looking around. "Where's Isabella? Already asleep this early?"
"No, Mr. Sterling is with her upstairs, playing."
Gabriel was home?
Arabella glanced toward the staircase, hesitating for a moment before ultimately deciding not to go up.
She didn't want to start an argument in front of the children. Even babies could sense tension and negative emotions—she refused to expose them to that toxicity.
Later that evening, after both Henry and Isabella had been put to bed, she remembered Ella's sponsored content assignment and headed to the study to work on it.
But when she pushed open the door, she found Gabriel sitting behind the desk.
Their eyes met, both freezing. The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here," Arabella immediately apologized, having assumed he'd be in the master bedroom preparing for bed.
Gabriel had thought she was coming to find him. For a brief moment when she opened the door, his heart had leaped with joy.
But that happiness crashed down as soon as she spoke, delivering yet another blow.
Seeing Arabella turn to leave, he couldn't hold back. "Am I some kind of monster?" he asked coldly. "You run away every time you see me."
Arabella stopped mid-step, turning back to look at the man behind the desk. "No, I need to work. I'm on a deadline."
"Work?" he murmured, rising from his chair. His tall, lean frame moved toward her step by step. "Are you naturally passionate about work, or are you just using it to avoid me, Arabella?"
Arabella looked away, her heart racing. "Everyone should work. You're reading too much into it."
Gabriel didn't respond, stopping directly in front of her, his gaze burning into hers.
Two days.
They'd been in this cold war for two days.
Seeing him expressionless, speaking without warmth, living under the same roof yet acting like the other didn't exist.
Gabriel had had enough!
"Arabella, how long are you going to keep this up?" He stared at her for a long moment, his jaw clenching.
Arabella looked up, mustering the courage to meet his eyes, her brow furrowing slightly.
She had planned to find an apartment and move out directly, meeting him only in divorce court since talking seemed pointless.
But since he was asking, she might as well try one more time.
"I'm not 'keeping anything up.' I've been actively looking for solutions to our situation. You're the one who won't cooperate, always resisting. If you'd agreed, we could have resolved this ages ago." She kept her voice calm and deliberately low—it was late, and the house was quiet.
Gabriel wore casual loungewear that made his silhouette appear gentle and refined, but his face was cold and intimidating.
His deep eyes looked down at her from above, patiently waiting for her to finish speaking. Then his thin lips curved into a mocking smile. "Your solution is to divorce me, abandon our two children, and go live whatever carefree life you want. Don't you think that's selfish?"
Selfish?
The word struck Arabella like a physical blow, her brow tightening, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief.
She couldn't understand how a man who had ignored his wife for two years of marriage, who had always loved another woman, who was a chronic liar and betrayer of his family, had the audacity to call her selfish.
Her expression showed complete shock. After a long moment, she couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "I'm selfish? If I were selfish, I never would have married you to give Grandpa peace of mind during his treatment. If I were selfish, I wouldn't have endured so much suffering during pregnancy to bring our children into the world! If I were selfish, I would have demanded alimony and dragged your reputation through the mud!"
The reason she was in so much pain, letting him hurt her over and over, was precisely because she was too soft-hearted, because she had to consider too many factors.
"We're talking about your wanting a divorce now. Why bring up ancient history?" Gabriel was cunning, casually changing the subject. "You chose to have those children. Having them without raising them—do you even deserve to be called a mother?"
"Of course I want to raise them, to be there as they grow up. The question is, would you let me have them?"
Arabella had never dared hope for such a thing, but if Gabriel would generously give her custody, she would raise both children even if she had to beg on the streets.
Gabriel smiled coldly, asking with disdain, "Give them to you? Could you even afford to raise them?"
Before she could respond, he continued mockingly, "Either they become homeless with you, or you drag them along while you find them a new daddy. With your abilities, how exactly would you support them?"
Arabella's unspoken words were cut off. Her mouth opened and closed, but she finally fell silent.
Yes, at the end of the day, it came down to their vastly different social positions and financial capabilities. She was at a complete disadvantage, with no leverage whatsoever.
There was nothing left to say.
She took a deep breath and nodded absently. "You're right. I don't have the means, so I choose to be selfish. Say whatever you want."
She was exhausted. Since she couldn't work now, she might as well get some rest and finish the assignment during lunch tomorrow.
"It's late. I'm going to bed. I hope you'll agree to the divorce tomorrow." With that, she turned to leave.
Without warning, Gabriel suddenly reached out, his large hand gripping the back of her neck like he was scruffing a kitten, yanking her back.
"Ah, what are you..." She suddenly felt pain, her face tightening. Before she could finish protesting, he spun her around.
His large hand gripped her neck, pulling her face toward his. His handsome but fierce expression carried a terrifying anger as he lowered his head and kissed her forcefully.
Arabella was stunned!
They'd reached the point of mutual hatred and disgust, and this bastard was forcing a kiss on her!
After less than a second of shock, she began fighting back violently, raising her hand to strike him. But Gabriel seemed to have eyes in the back of his head—without even looking, he caught her wrist with his free hand, pulling it behind her back and locking it in place.
He kicked the study door shut with his foot, then pressed her against the cold door panel. Gabriel held her tightly as he kissed her with urgent, savage intensity, his vicious demeanor suggesting he wanted to tear her apart.
Arabella's heart filled with hatred. As his presence completely overwhelmed and consumed her, she suddenly realized this bastard wasn't showing her any real affection—he was just using her as an outlet for his desires!
Fighting like this and he could still get aroused—he truly was a complete bastard.