Chapter 27 A Shy Couple
Emily had heard from Dominic that Gabriel was juggling William's funeral arrangements with a mountain of corporate responsibilities, while also dealing with various power struggles and resistance within the Sterling family. His position was extremely precarious right now.
She had taken the initiative to call Gabriel, hoping to offer some support, but his attitude was cold and distant—he didn't seem willing to share much. The disappointment hit her hard.
They used to tell each other everything.
So Emily contacted her husband again, suggesting they invite Gabriel for dinner on Saturday evening to see what help they could offer.
After all, both their families had been longtime friends with the Sterlings, and William had treated them like family.
By all rights, they should help with William's final arrangements.
But Gabriel also declined Dominic's well-intentioned offer.
This infuriated Emily, who became convinced that Arabella was somehow interfering, making Gabriel afraid to maintain contact with them.
"This is infuriating! The only mistake William ever made in his life was having Gabriel marry that woman! She's ruined Gabriel's entire life!" After hanging up, Emily clutched her phone, seething with rage.
Dominic was also sitting in the car and scolded her sharply when he heard this, "Emily!"
He meant she had gone too far.
William wasn't just an elder—he was deceased. Speaking ill of the dead was deeply disrespectful.
Emily pouted, her confidence deflating, "I... I was just so angry I lost my head."
Dominic didn't say anything more, looking down at the laptop on the small table and continuing to type.
After a moment, he finished his work, closed the laptop, and said to her, "Given Gabriel's personality, if he wasn't willing, no one could force him."
The implication was clear—this wasn't Arabella's fault.
Emily looked back at her husband, dismissive, "But that woman is demanding a divorce at a time like this! Gabriel has to consider her feelings somewhat."
"If he's considering her feelings, it means he values her and their marriage." Dominic looked at Emily with even more disapproval. "I've told you before—marriage changes everything. You need to watch yourself."
Emily stared at her husband, looking deeply hurt, "Why should I? He's... he's like family to me. Just because he got married means he can't have contact with family anymore? Can't have family?"
"He's only like family—he's not actually your family." Dominic's expression hardened as he made his point clearer.
"Dominic, what do you mean? The three of us grew up together—it's been over twenty years! Have you forgotten how Gabriel protected us all these years, how he helped you reclaim the Kingsley family assets? Saying this now is just cold and heartless!"
Seeing his wife take everyone else's side, Dominic's anger flared.
"Emily! When are you going to grow a brain? If you really remember all the good he's done for us, you should keep your distance and stop causing trouble for their marriage. Do you really think there's such a thing as pure friendship between men and women? Don't think I don't know what you're thinking—you want to keep both Gabriel and me under your thumb! You see him being good to another woman, being cold to you, and you can't stand it!"
Dominic had wanted to say this for a long time, but had held back to preserve their relationship.
But seeing Emily become increasingly unreasonable, he couldn't take it anymore.
Sure enough, once he said it, Emily's doll-like, beautiful face froze, her delicate features seeming to crack.
"Dominic... is that... is that really what you think of me?" After a long moment, Emily spoke in a broken voice.
Dominic thought to himself, 'If you can't let go of Gabriel, why didn't you marry him instead? Why marry me?'
But seeing her heartbroken expression, he softened slightly and didn't voice his own thoughts.
The car fell into an icy silence. Dominic knew that if he apologized now, this could all blow over, but he had his own frustration burning inside him.
So they remained locked in this standoff until they got home.
But when they arrived, Emily didn't enter the house. Instead, she went to the garage, got in her own car, and drove off.
Dominic was walking ahead and hadn't yet entered the main house when he saw this. His expression darkened, "Emily!"
He barked sharply, but it was useless—soon only her taillights were visible.
The assistant who had driven them home looked to his boss, "Mr. Kingsley, should I follow her?"
Dominic gritted his teeth, forcing his voice to remain cold, "No need."
They'd only been married a little over a year. Aside from those first few months of newlywed bliss when he'd felt the warmth and happiness of family life, things had gone downhill day by day.
With this arrogant and willful temperament, she still demanded they have children every day, wanting to become a great mother. Thank God he hadn't agreed—otherwise this family would be in even worse shape!
————
When Gabriel came home, he set down his briefcase and scanned the living room.
He didn't see the person he was hoping to find.
Mary saw right through him and approached to take his jacket, whispering, "Mrs. Sterling hasn't come downstairs all day—she's been staying in her room."
Gabriel frowned, "Is she still not feeling well?"
"She should be fine, oh my—probably just embarrassed." Mary's face was full of mischief, her smile suggestive.
Sure enough, at these words, Gabriel's expression became strange too, his ears flushing red.
Upstairs, he walked to the master bedroom door. His large hand was already on the door panel when he hesitated.
If she was too embarrassed to leave her room all day, wasn't he feeling just as awkward?
He'd had some work to handle at the office today, but spent the whole day distracted. When Emily called in the afternoon, he hadn't been in the mood to deal with it and hung up after just a few words.
Later, when Dominic called to invite him for dinner, he refused without even thinking.
His mind was completely occupied with thoughts of Arabella, replaying the morning's events over and over.
Thank goodness it was Saturday—fewer people in the executive office, no one to bother him. He'd spent a good while lost in thought, or rather, savoring the memory.
Taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart, he finally pushed open the door.
Arabella was sitting on the balcony with a book in her hands.
Hearing the door open, she quickly turned around. Not surprised to see Gabriel, she just as quickly turned back and continued reading.
However, her heart was pounding, her ears buzzing, her cheeks burning—she couldn't focus on a single word.
Seeing her like this, Gabriel forgot all the words he'd prepared.
After standing frozen in the doorway for several seconds, he finally walked inside, clearing his throat to break the silence.
"You... you're home." Arabella felt obligated to greet him.
"Mm." Gabriel approached, holding up a manila envelope and offering it to her.
"What is it?" The woman glanced back slightly, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Look, and you'll see. Grandfather left it for you."
Arabella was startled and quickly took the envelope.