Chapter 101 101
Four Years Later
“Sof!” Alfonso wailed dramatically.
The next second, he had Sofía lifted in a crushing bear hug.
She couldn’t hold it in tears spilled freely down her cheeks. It had been years. Years since they had stood face to face like this. Phone calls were never the same. Laughter through a screen could never replace warmth.
She had told him about Fernando four years into her marriage and not even willingly. She hadn’t been ready. But Fernando had walked in on her call with Alfonso, plucked the phone from her hand, and coolly introduced himself.
As her husband.
Alfonso had gone completely silent.
Then Fernando had casually informed him about their two children.
Alfonso had scolded Sofía thoroughly afterward for hiding something so huge but he hadn’t been shocked. Not truly. Years ago, Fernando had once answered her phone and introduced himself as her boyfriend. Alfonso had suspected since then. He recognized the voice.
Fernando Ruiz.
Her former teacher.
“I missed you,” Sofía whispered against Alfonso’s chest.
He laughed softly, rubbing her back. He wasn’t the same boy anymore time had carved him into a man. His busy life had kept him away for so long, but when the opportunity finally came, he had taken it.
“I missed you too, Sof.”
Sofía pulled back and noticed a beautiful woman standing behind him and a handsome boy at her side. Her eyes softened.
Alfonso wrapped an arm around the woman’s waist.
“Sof, this is my wife, Geneviève. And this is my son, Tristan.”
He turned to them proudly. “And this is Sofía. My best friend.”
The women embraced warmly. Sofía bent and kissed Tristan’s cheek, making the boy blush instantly.
She stepped aside.
Alfonso looked past her and froze.
Sofía smiled, radiant.
“This is my family.”
Fernando stood there, jaw tight. He had not appreciated the hug. In fact, he was already mentally planning Sofía’s “punishment” for later. Still, he extended a hand to Alfonso.
Damien and Dominique followed, each wrapping Alfonso in bone-crushing hugs.
“I can’t believe these are the sweet little boys you used to talk about,” Alfonso muttered.
Damien and Dominique chuckled darkly.
Charlotte approached shyly, offering a polite greeting. Little Eugénie bounded forward more enthusiastically.
Soon, they all gathered in the lounge, conversation flowing easily.
Eugénie sat cross-legged on the floor, busy drawing. A large boot stepped into her view.
She looked up.
Alexandre crouched beside her, studying the paper.
“What are you drawing?” he asked.
“Unicorn,” she replied proudly.
He chuckled.
It looked nothing like a unicorn.
He remembered the time Damien had looked at his unicorn drawing and declared it a pig.
“Can I join?” Tristan’s voice chimed in.
Both heads turned as he sat beside Eugénie.
She nodded shyly.
Alexandre moved away, letting the two kids draw together.
“Your name is Eugénie, right?” Tristan asked with a warm smile.
She nodded again.
“How old are you, Tristan?” she asked.
“I’m twelve.”
Her smile widened. Finally someone close to her age.
—
Dominique was walking past Gabrielle’s room when he heard muffled sobs.
He paused.
Knocked once.
Before she could lock it, he pushed the door open and stepped inside just as she reached for the handle.
His brows furrowed.
Her brown eyes were wet. Her cheeks flushed red.
She wiped her tears quickly and turned away, stomping to the bed and sitting with her back to him, staring out the window.
Dominique had never been good with crying girls.
But Gabrielle wasn’t just any girl.
She was theirs. Part of their squad. She held a place in his heart that was different permanent.
He closed the door quietly and sat beside her.
She sniffed.
“What do you want, Dominique? I’m not in the mood.”
From the cage, Mr. Coco the sparrow chirped in agreement.
“I can see you’re in the crying mood,” he said casually.
She shot him a glare.
“Okay,” he sighed. “What’s wrong?”
She looked down.
“I don’t know.”
He raised a brow.
“Why are you girls so complicated? You’re crying like the world ended and you don’t even know why. Fuck do you all share one brain cell?”
She smacked the back of his head instantly.
He growled.
“Your brother is making me cry,” she blurted.
Dominique frowned. “What did Damien do?”
She hesitated then spilled it.
“I like him. And he’s ignoring me.”
“You what?” Dominique nearly shouted.
She rolled her eyes.
“I saw him last night. With a girl at the door.”
Her eyes glossed again.
“I hate him.”
“The fuck? Two seconds ago you liked him.”
She groaned, holding her head.
Dominique leaned back, eyes glinting.
“I’ve got an idea.”
—
Damien had just finished his protein shake after the gym when he heard her voice.
“Leave me, Dominique,” Gabrielle cried.
He froze.
Then turned.
And saw red.
Dominique had Gabrielle pinned lightly against the wall, hovering close.
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
She was crying.
Rage exploded inside Damien like molten lava.
With a low growl, he grabbed Dominique and tore him away, positioning himself in front of Gabrielle like a shield.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Damien roared.
Dominique smirked lazily.
“Just talking to my Gabrielle.”
That did it.
Damien’s hands curled into fists.
“Your Gabrielle?” he spat.
“Yes. Any problem?” Dominique challenged.
“She’s not your Gabrielle,” Damien growled, voice thunderous. “She’s mine.”
He grabbed Gabrielle’s hand and dragged her away.
Over Damien’s shoulder, Gabrielle glanced back.
Dominique stood there grinning giving her a thumbs up.
The plan worked.
But as Damien shoved her into his room and slammed the door shut behind them, locking it
Gabrielle felt her stomach twist with equal parts triumph…
And terror.
Uh oh.