Chapter 159 The Madam Is Back!
Gabriel's arrival at the mansion startled the housekeeper immediately.
Joanna emerged at the sound, taking one look at the blood on her son's forehead and letting out a sharp gasp. "What happened? Were you in an accident? Are you hurt anywhere else?"
She fired off questions while hurrying forward, grabbing his arm to examine him from head to toe.
Gabriel frowned slightly, his voice flat. "No, just bumped into something."
"Bumped into something?" Joanna's tone dripped with suspicion. When she looked up at his face again, her sharp eyes caught the split skin on his lip.
Understanding dawned instantly.
"Arabella did this to you, didn't she?"
Gabriel remained silent, heading toward the stairs.
Still jet-lagged from his business trip, utterly exhausted, and drained from the confrontation with Arabella, all he wanted was a hot shower and sleep.
Joanna followed behind him, completely baffled. "What exactly are you thinking? Have you fallen in love with her? Going to her place just to get beaten up—what's gotten into your head?"
Gabriel didn't respond to his mother's words, but internally, he'd finally acknowledged the truth.
Yes, he was in love with Arabella!
From the day she'd asked for a divorce, all his anger, rage, constant interference, even those forced kisses and desperate attempts at intimacy—it all stemmed from the earth-shattering realization that he'd fallen for this woman.
He couldn't understand how it had happened.
But love was love.
During his business trip, he'd finally examined their relationship clearly.
Though their initial meeting had been built on a beautiful lie—to give William peace of mind during his recovery—as they'd spent time together, everything about her had drawn him in. Her beauty, her kindness, her gentle nature, her strength, even her contradictions.
Emily had once occupied every corner of his heart, but this woman's presence had gradually pushed Emily out, piece by piece.
The process had been long and subtle, so gradual he hadn't noticed it happening.
By the time he'd finally realized it, she was already heartbroken and ready to leave.
In the bathroom, the man stood under the rainfall showerhead, letting the cascading hot water wash over him, her image still haunting his thoughts.
Love and hatred intertwined, impossible to separate.
With the court hearing approaching, he had no idea what else he could do to change her mind.
Should he really follow Dominic's advice and confess his feelings?
But she was already with Manuel—would she even accept his confession?
Would his sincerity only earn him her merciless mockery and ridicule?
The wound on his forehead burned under the water, and his inner turmoil reached its peak. Like a caged beast throwing himself against the bars with all his might, unable to find an escape, his emotions finally erupted as he slammed his fist hard against the tile wall.
————
Once she was certain her cold had completely cleared, Arabella couldn't resist her longing for the children any longer and called Mary.
With Gabriel back from his business trip, Mary had returned to the Parkside Estate with the twins.
Receiving the mistress's call, Mary sounded troubled. "Mrs. Sterling... Mr. Sterling is home today, so I can't really step out..."
Arabella was surprised. "Today's Monday—he didn't go to work?"
"No... his stomach condition flared up, and he injured his forehead. He's been resting at home for the past couple days." Mary answered honestly.
Arabella had no idea that Gabriel had waited downstairs at her apartment building for half the day when he returned from his trip, skipping meals and sleep.
Already exhausted, such treatment was bound to trigger his stomach problems.
"Since he's home, then forget it. I'll wait..."
"Mrs. Sterling!"
Arabella was about to hang up in disappointment when Mary suddenly called out urgently.
"Mrs. Sterling, Mr. Sterling just came downstairs. He says... you can come see the children."
Arabella's heart tightened. "He agreed?"
Mary looked toward the master of the house, who'd come downstairs in his pajamas, confirming once more. "Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling can really come see the children?"
Gabriel's expression remained neutral, his tone equally flat. "She's got legs—she can come or not come, it's up to her."
"Mrs. Sterling, did you hear that? Mr. Sterling agreed! Come over, and stay for lunch—I'll have the kitchen prepare some of your favorite dishes!" Mary was delighted, extending an enthusiastic invitation.
But Arabella hesitated.
She'd assumed Gabriel would be at the office on Monday, which was why she'd thought of visiting the children.
But if he was home...
How could she dare go? What if he trapped her again, what if he tried to force himself on her...
"I... I just remembered I have some work to handle today, so... I won't come over right now..." She chickened out after all, making up a lame excuse before hanging up.
Mary's hopeful expression crumbled as she turned around with the phone, looking lost. "Mr. Sterling... Mrs. Sterling says she has work today, so... she won't be coming."
Gabriel's already cold expression instantly darkened like storm clouds.
Mary could see Gabriel's true feelings, knowing he was too proud to actually ask Arabella to visit. After a moment's thought, she hatched a plan.
Both babies were awake, playing with toys on their activity mat.
Nearly six months old now, Henry ate and slept well, developing nicely. These past few days he'd learned to sit up independently and could even crawl forward on the mat in army-crawl style.
Isabella was a pickier eater, and without breast milk these past few days, her appetite had noticeably decreased.
Seeing Henry able to sit up and reach for toys on his own, she babbled in frustration, getting more and more worked up until she burst into tears.
When the nanny moved to comfort her, Mary quickly intervened, pulling out her phone to record a video of the little girl crying.
Gabriel heard his daughter's wails, and seeing no one attending to her, immediately stood up in anger. "What are you all doing? Don't you hear the baby crying?"
Mary quickly hid her phone and picked up Isabella.
Gabriel, heartbroken for his daughter, stepped forward and took her into his arms, gently soothing her.
Mary quietly retreated, sending the video she'd just recorded to Arabella.
[Isabella has a runny nose today, might be catching a cold. She's been extra fussy and crying constantly.]
No mother could bear to see her child sick and suffering—she didn't believe Arabella could remain indifferent.
Sure enough, upon receiving the message, Arabella immediately panicked.
This year's flu season had been particularly severe—even she, who rarely got sick, had been bedridden for a week. If the babies caught it, she couldn't imagine how much they'd suffer.
And when twins got sick, they easily infected each other, which would be even more devastating.
After watching the video twice, Arabella could no longer sit still.
She'd already been missing the children desperately after a week apart, sleeping restlessly the past two nights, constantly dreaming of babies crying. Now hearing that Isabella might be sick and was currently wailing, her heart felt like autumn leaves—brittle and shattered.
She couldn't care about anything else anymore.
Even if Gabriel was home, even if he would humiliate her again—for the children's sake, she had to endure it.
She was already a failing mother; she couldn't abandon a sick daughter just to protect herself.
After replying to Mary, she quickly gathered her things and headed out.
Back at the mansion, Mary received her response with a smile, hurrying to the living room to report the good news to the master.
To her surprise, Gabriel simply gave a flat "Mm" upon hearing it.
Mary stared at his overly calm reaction, stunned for a moment. Thinking he might not have heard, she stepped closer and repeated, "Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling will be coming over shortly."
Gabriel continued soothing his daughter, his brow slightly furrowed. "I'm not deaf."
"Oh..."