Chapter 97 His Own Making
Gabriel's expression darkened. "We could have easily exited the highway for a proper meal. You did this on purpose."
"Mr. Sterling, we ordinary folks make do with whatever's available. You're the one who crossed class lines to experience the common life—how is that my fault? Honestly, this kind of life feels comfortable and grounded to me."
Unlike the rules and constraints of high society, with all its suffocating protocols.
Gabriel understood the deeper meaning in her words—wasn't she essentially saying they belonged to different worlds and shouldn't force it?
He felt deeply irritated, convinced she was just being deliberately argumentative.
People naturally aspire to better things. If you could live well, why choose to go back to suffering? He refused to believe that a luxurious, high-end lifestyle could be more unbearable than this cheap, low-quality food.
The stool was so dirty he couldn't even bring himself to sit down. So he shot her a cold look and walked away.
Seeing him refuse to eat, Arabella snorted coldly to herself.
He already had gastritis, so let him be stubborn! When his condition flared up, she wouldn't be the one suffering.
Gabriel walked to the parking area and found several young people taking photos around his Maybach, marveling that even rich people had to use rest stops for bathroom breaks and meals—just like ordinary folks. They seemed to find psychological comfort in this revelation.
Listening to their commentary made Gabriel even more uncomfortable. He strode over and opened the car door.
Seeing the owner appear, the young people felt embarrassed and quickly walked away, whispering among themselves, "Rich, young, and handsome too. Damn, God really isn't fair!"
Though meant as praise, the words only made Gabriel feel worse.
What good was being rich, young, and handsome when one woman could still treat him with such disdain?
When Arabella got in the car and saw his expressionless face, she offered no words of concern, simply stating, "Ready to go."
He suddenly flared up. "What am I, your chauffeur?"
She paused, turning to give him a cold glance. "You're the one who insisted I get in the car. I already had my train ticket."
Gabriel's handsome features hardened into sharp lines as he stared at her, his presence intimidating.
But Arabella wasn't afraid. Instead, she remained defiant, "Are we leaving or not? If not, I can find someone else to give me a ride."
It would just be more hassle.
Gabriel pressed his thin lips together, staring at her. After a tense standoff, he finally conceded and started the engine.
"Damn ungrateful woman," he muttered under his breath, jerking the steering wheel as the car pulled out of the parking space.
They reached Luminara at three in the afternoon.
Arabella had napped during the journey, and thanks to the luxury car's excellent performance and comfortable seats, the trip hadn't felt particularly taxing.
But the driver was a different story.
Gabriel had barely eaten breakfast, skipped lunch entirely, and driven for five hours. He was not only physically exhausted but also experiencing nagging stomach pain.
However, he didn't dare show it, afraid of Arabella's cold mockery about getting what he deserved.
As the Maybach pulled into the courtyard, Arabella saw Mary waiting under the portico with Isabella in her arms. Her face lit up with joy as she eagerly pushed open the door and rushed toward her child.
Meanwhile, in the driver's seat, the man let his hands fall from the steering wheel, his left hand unconsciously pressing against his stomach as his face, no longer needing to maintain composure, visibly tightened with pain.
"Sweetheart, did you miss Mommy? Mommy missed you so, so much!" Arabella took Isabella in her arms, joyfully cooing at her.
Isabella's beautiful, adorable face broke into a smile, her bright eyes sparkling as she gazed at her mother, babbling and giggling.
Seeing them return together, Mary felt happy too. "Mrs. Sterling, you must be tired from the journey. Please go inside, wash up, and rest. The babies have been fussing several times—they need feeding."
"Of course, I'll go right now."
Arabella, carrying Isabella, headed straight into the house without a backward glance.
Butler Mike noticed Gabriel hadn't gotten out of the car and walked over to check.
Seeing Gabriel's pale complexion, Mike immediately asked with concern, "Mr. Sterling, are you feeling unwell?"
Gabriel slowly straightened his body, swinging out one long leg. After taking a deep breath, he finally stepped out of the car, "I'm fine, just tired from the long drive."
"That's good to hear. I'll arrange for the massage therapist to come by later."
"Mm."
The villa's basement housed a spa treatment room. When Gabriel was exhausted from work and needed to unwind, professional therapists would provide on-site services.
Once inside the house, Gabriel finally allowed himself to relax.
Mary approached him immediately, "Mr. Sterling, afternoon tea is ready in the kitchen. Would you like some?"
"Yes," he nodded, then turned back as he headed toward the stairs. "Where's the stomach medication?"
"Stomach medication?" Mary's face tightened with concern. "Is your gastritis acting up again?"
The man didn't answer, but Mary understood not to press further and immediately went to fetch the medicine cabinet.
Gabriel frowned as he swallowed several pills before going upstairs to shower and change.
After settling herself, Arabella came downstairs to nurse the babies.
Her phone buzzed—a Facebook message from Sophia with a restaurant address.
Checking the time, it was nearly four o'clock.
She planned to nurse Henry and Isabella, grab a bite to eat, send the work she'd completed during the trip to Ella, then head out to meet Sophia.
Life after starting work was actually quite fulfilling.
After feeding the babies and going to the dining room for afternoon tea, Mary began to notice something.
Though they'd returned together, the couple had shown no interaction since coming home. Gabriel had gone upstairs and hadn't come back down—likely resting due to stomach pain—while Arabella seemed rather unconcerned about his condition.
After some consideration, Mary decided to speak up.
"Mrs. Sterling... Mr. Sterling asked for stomach medication as soon as he got home. His condition seems to have flared up again. Won't you go check on him?"
Arabella continued sipping her soup, unsurprised by the news. "He wouldn't eat lunch—brought it on himself. Who else is to blame?"
"He didn't eat lunch?" Mary paused, understanding. "Was the food not to his taste?"
"Possibly. Rest stop fare isn't exactly fine dining."
Mary nodded, grasping the situation completely.
"Mrs. Sterling... actually, yesterday Mr. Sterling came home at noon, originally planning to take you and the children out somewhere. When he learned you'd gone home, he—"
Mary hesitated. Arabella could imagine Gabriel's reaction without needing more details.
"Later, in the evening, he suddenly left, saying he wouldn't be home for the night. I guessed he'd gone to find you. Mrs. Sterling, Mr. Sterling just isn't good at expressing himself, but he does care about you. Perhaps you could be more understanding."
If not for her careful mediation, these two would have divorced countless times by now!
Previously, Arabella would at least listen to Mary's counsel, but this time she refused.
"Mary, if you're worried, call the doctor to examine him. I don't know how to care for patients—I'd probably just make things worse." She smiled dismissively.
Mary couldn't say anything more.
After filling her stomach, Arabella went upstairs to the study, giving the project proposal a final review before confirming it was perfect and sending it to Ella.
Car sounds came from the courtyard below. She didn't think much of it, assuming the family doctor had arrived to see Gabriel.
But moments later, a servant knocked on the door, "Mrs. Sterling, Mr. James Sterling and Mrs. Joanna Taylor are here."
Arabella's heart sank with a sense of foreboding.