Chapter 3 Uncontrollably Drawn to Her
The composure Arabella'd fought so hard to regain was instantly shattered, her heart racing and face flushing with panic.
After everything that had happened last night, she had absolutely no idea how to face Gabriel now.
The housekeeper spotted her and immediately approached with a smile, "Mrs. Sterling, breakfast has been reheated for you. Please go eat while it's still warm."
"Oh... yes, thank you." She swallowed nervously, forcing herself to walk toward the dining room.
Gabriel sat there in his impeccable suit, bathed in morning light, his handsome profile sharp and defined, every line from his jawline to his hairline perfectly sculpted.
He looked nothing like the passionate, demanding man from last night.
Arabella had initially agreed to this marriage partly because of that devastatingly handsome face.
She'd hoped that over time, they might develop genuine feelings for each other and find some measure of harmony.
But two years later, he still couldn't be bothered to truly look at her.
She sat down quietly, picked up her spoon, and began sipping her oatmeal with careful, measured movements, the picture of demure compliance.
But deep down, Arabella was still contemplating their divorce.
She was serious about it.
Though it would be unfair to their two children, their marriage was walking on thin ice. This dysfunctional relationship would only bring them both more pain if it continued.
Growing up in such a household would inevitably affect the children's personalities and futures.
After finishing most of her oatmeal, she steeled herself and looked up at him, "Please seriously consider what I said last night. Don't worry. I won't take any of your assets, and I won't take the children either."
She figured this would prove she had no ulterior motives.
Gabriel had been casually reading a financial magazine while sipping his coffee.
At her words, he slowly lowered his cup, his clear, penetrating gaze instantly darkening.
He looked up at her, his expression blank and cold as frost.
Arabella's scalp prickled with nervousness, her heart pounding, but she forced herself to remain calm.
"Grandfather collapsed and was hospitalized this morning. His condition is very serious. You want to push for a divorce at a time like this? Are you hoping to give him that kind of shock?"
"What?" Arabella's face went pale instantly, her spoon clattering as it fell from her hand. She stared at the cold man with worry written all over her features. "Grandfather collapsed? Did his condition suddenly deteriorate?"
Gabriel's expression grew even grimmer. "Not sure yet. We'll see what the doctors say when we get there."
Arabella lost all interest in eating. If she weren't still nursing and needed to maintain her strength, she would have left immediately.
She quickly finished her oatmeal in a few rushed spoonfuls and grabbed two sandwiches. "Let's go. To the hospital."
Gabriel studied her, his gaze scrutinizing, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something but held back.
He simply couldn't believe that Arabella, who had no blood relation to William, would be so genuinely concerned about his grandfather.
It was probably just because William had orchestrated this marriage, and she was worried that without him as her protector and advocate, she'd be left defenseless.
She talked about divorce, but who really knew what she was thinking?
This could all be an elaborate strategy—retreating to advance, calculating her next move.
With this thought, Gabriel's gaze filled with intense rejection, and he even regretted last night's moment of passion that had led them to be intimate again.
Remembering the previous night, his expression became incredibly complex, and he quickly averted his eyes from her.
Because just one more second of looking at her would send those intimate, sensual images flooding back into his mind, disrupting his composure.
What the hell was wrong with him? What kind of spell did this woman have over him?
The two left together.
With the chauffeur driving up front, Arabella had to sit in the back, pressed close to Gabriel.
During the ride, Gabriel took two business calls.
He was in a foul mood, handling the conversations curtly before hanging up.
Arabella knew he was worried about his grandfather. She stole several glances at his profile before finally gathering the courage to speak, "Grandfather's previous surgery was very successful. The doctors said with proper care, he'd be fine for four or five years. It's only been two... he's going to be alright."
Gabriel's brow furrowed deeply as he drew a slow breath. Just as he was about to respond, his phone rang again.
This time, looking at the caller ID, his expression visibly softened before he answered with gentle warmth, "Hello, Emily..."
A sweet, melodious female voice came through the phone, tinged with concern and anxiety, "Gabriel, I heard William's condition suddenly worsened, and he's been hospitalized?"
"Yes."
"How is he?"
"I'm still on my way to the hospital. Don't know yet."
"I'm heading over there now, too. Dominic left for a business trip early this morning, and even if he rushes back, he won't be there until tonight."
Dominic Kingsley was Emily's husband and Gabriel's childhood friend.
The three of them had grown up together, and their feelings toward William were like those toward their own grandfather.
Gabriel said softly, "Don't trouble yourself. Let him handle his business."
"I already told him. Whether he comes back is up to him. Don't worry too much—William is going to pull through this." Emily offered comforting reassurance.
Gabriel lowered his eyes, his expression softening slightly. "I know. It's raining right now, so have your driver take it slow on the roads."
Sitting quietly beside him, Arabella felt a sharp pang in her chest when she heard those words, as if an ant had taken a gentle bite.
So he did know how to be tender and caring—just not with his wife, but with someone else's.
After the call ended, silence returned to the car.
Gabriel held his phone quietly for two seconds, then suddenly became aware of something and turned to look at the woman beside him.
She was gazing out the window, her beautiful, elegant face serene and peaceful, clearly unbothered by the phone conversation. He stopped himself from saying whatever he'd been about to say.
She'd married him for status, position, and wealth—why would she care who he had feelings for?
So there was no point in explaining.
At the hospital, they hurried toward the patient's room.
Gabriel's mother, Joanna Taylor, saw them coming. Her eyes focused solely on Gabriel as she asked disapprovingly, "I notified you first thing this morning. Why are you only arriving now?"
The Sterling family tree was vast and deeply rooted, with various branches and relatives numbering no fewer than thirty people.
Times like these were crucial opportunities to demonstrate one's filial devotion.
Arriving late would certainly invite criticism.
Gabriel glanced through the glass window into the hospital room, where he could see his father and several relatives speaking quietly with the doctor. He curtly told Joanna, "I was delayed by something this morning," then pushed through the door.
Arabella followed behind him, puzzled by his words. Hadn't he stayed home from the office this morning? What could have delayed him?
Lost in thought, she suddenly had a flash of insight!
Could it be because she'd overslept? Had he been waiting for her?
But given Gabriel's attitude toward her, surely he wouldn't be that considerate and protective?
As Gabriel entered the room, Joanna naturally turned her attention to Arabella.
Feeling the scrutiny, Arabella immediately offered a polite greeting, "Mother."
Joanna looked at her daughter-in-law with obvious displeasure. "Taking care of children is a woman's responsibility. You have nannies and housekeepers aplenty at home. Don't use those domestic matters to delay Gabriel."
Clearly, Joanna was blaming Arabella for Gabriel's late arrival.
Arabella wanted to object, but the hallway was filled with Sterling family members.
She suppressed the urge and said quietly, "I'd like to go in and see Grandfather."
"See what? Don't you notice everyone else is staying out here?" Joanna cut her off sharply.