Chapter 298 I Only Care for One Person

Chapter 298 I Only Care for One Person

Arabella had indeed never lived alone before.

When she married Gabriel right after college graduation, she went straight from campus to the Sterling family, moving into an independent villa worth over a hundred million dollars.

The estate had bodyguards, servants, and a butler—every aspect of daily life was arranged by dedicated staff.

Now, suddenly moving out of that palace-like mansion to live alone, it was indeed worrying.

Arabella ignored his explanation. After two or three seconds of silence, she suddenly turned to look at the man's superior, chiseled profile. "Do you still love Emily?"

Gabriel's expression shifted slightly. He looked back at her, his brows knitted in deep confusion.

A car behind them honked. He snapped back to attention and drove forward. Only after passing the intersection did he ask in a low voice, "What do you mean? Why are you asking this now?"

Actually, Arabella hadn't just thought of it. Ever since Gabriel had shown such persistence toward her, she'd been mulling over this question.

He'd loved Emily for so many years—how could he cut it off so cleanly, so suddenly, with not a trace of lingering feeling?

Thinking of the meaning behind the champagne roses she'd just looked up, the question resurfaced in her mind.

I'm devoted only to you.

If those were his true feelings, where did that leave Emily?

"Just curious. I want to know how long your love for your first love can last," Arabella replied.

Gabriel gave a bitter smile. "To estimate how long my feelings for you will last?"

"Do you love me?" She reacted quickly, turning to look at Gabriel.

Gabriel's profile hardened, as if displeased by her questioning, but he quickly composed himself. "That depends on how you define love."

Here we go with the evasive dance again.

Arabella withdrew her gaze. "So that's a no. Which means you're still hung up on Emily."

Gabriel drew in a slight breath, his expression and tone both turning cold. "If that's what you choose to believe, I have nothing more to say."

The atmosphere in the car froze. No one spoke again. The oppressive silence lasted until the luxury vehicle drove through the gates of the upscale community.

Once inside, night had completely fallen.

Gabriel called Mary to bring over dinner and pack some of Arabella's clothes.

By the looks of it, she'd be staying here for a while.

That evening, after finishing her work discussion with Ella, Arabella sat in the living room staring blankly at her laptop, her thoughts in complete chaos.

The studio now had no photographer and was missing her as the main on-camera talent, leaving only Ella, Sophia, and Crystal.

And Sophia, troubled by Zachary's imprisonment and harassment from her former mother-in-law, was in no condition to work properly.

Though Ella hadn't complained outright, Arabella could hear the worry in her voice—the fear that the studio wouldn't survive.

Gabriel was probably still upset about their conversation in the car. He didn't bother with her, simply went into the bedroom to make phone calls, then headed straight for a shower.

He had a habit of bathing and changing into comfortable loungewear as soon as he got home before dealing with anything else.

Mary arrived with dinner and Arabella's clothes.

Seeing the large bouquet on the kitchen island, Mary beamed. "Oh my, Mr. Sterling finally gets it! These flowers are gorgeous! Though not as gorgeous as Mrs. Sterling!"

Embarrassed by the compliment, Arabella helped Mary unpack and arrange the takeout containers. "How have the children been these past few days? Have they been fussy?"

"They're fine. Whenever they miss you, we do a video call and tell them Mommy's busy with work. It's like they understand—they settle right down." Mary naturally emphasized the positive, not wanting her to worry.

In truth, after spending more time with their mother recently, the twins had become harder to manage during the separation, crying frequently at night.

Gabriel had gotten up to soothe them multiple nights in a row, but told Mary not to mention it.

From an outsider's perspective, Mary was pleased to see Gabriel's transformation. She firmly believed these changes would eventually win Arabella back, mending their broken marriage.

Listening to Mary's words, Arabella felt deeply guilty.

Divorcing when the children were still so young already made her an inadequate mother.

Now, due to various circumstances, she wouldn't be able to see her babies for some time. How could she not miss them?

"Alright, you should eat while it's hot. Mrs. Sterling, go hurry Mr. Sterling along." Mary finished packing up the thermal containers with a smile.

"Mm..." Arabella responded. Just as she was debating whether to call for him, she caught sight of his tall, straight figure emerging slowly.

Fresh from the shower, Gabriel looked crisp and clean. As he approached, the air filled with the pleasant scent of body wash—the same fragrance from the toiletries at Parkside Estate.

The familiar scent awakened recently buried memories. Arabella felt a wave of shyness and couldn't bring herself to look at him directly.

Mary noticed the awkward atmosphere between them but attributed it to stress and worry over the recent online situation. She simply said, "Mr. Sterling, eat while it's hot. I need to get back to the children."

"Let me know immediately if anything comes up," Gabriel nodded.

"Will do."

Mary turned and left. Arabella looked at the man—his features refined and handsome, his expression cool and distant. From head to toe he radiated an air of aloof detachment. Her heart fluttered anxiously.

She hadn't felt this sense of inferiority and apprehension around Gabriel in a long time since the divorce.

"Um... let's eat before the food gets cold," she said, feigning composure. Her voice came out barely above a whisper as she sat down sullenly.

Gabriel maintained his untouchable demeanor, pulling out the chair at the head of the table.

The two ate in silence.

Arabella's phone kept buzzing.

This backup phone number was known to few people. The intermittent notifications were all from the work group chat.

Ella had posted new job listings to recruit two photographers or photography assistants.

After the announcement, many people submitted resumes, but when Ella called to invite them for interviews, they all declined.

The reason—upon hearing the studio was caught in a media firestorm, they wanted nothing to do with it.

So Ella was stressed, still discussing work in the group chat after hours, asking everyone to think of solutions and see if they knew anyone in their circles with relevant experience.

Arabella ate while intermittently checking her phone and replying to messages.

Gabriel initially shot her a few cold glances, clearly holding back. But when she actually set down her utensils and focused entirely on her phone, his temper finally snapped.

"Can you not play with your phone while eating?" His voice cut through suddenly, ice-cold, making Arabella jump.

Steadying herself, she looked at him and shot back defiantly, "I'm not playing—I'm handling work!"

"Then handle it after you finish eating."

Arabella glared at him, her anger rising!

Mark had been settling in just fine until Gabriel used underhanded tactics to drive him away.

Before they could even recruit a new photographer, this massive PR crisis hit, and now they couldn't hire anyone at all!