Chapter 326: A Gentle Nod (Part 2)
“So that’s why you held his hand when you left together?” Gabriel asked expectantly.
“Yeah… But how did you know that?” Alison asked, blushing.
“Silly girl, that’s more band-aid than it is solution,” he chuckled.
“Then what should I do?” she asked, tears streaming down her face.
“It’s all right, don’t cry. I promise everything will be fine tomorrow and that there won’t be any photos of you online, okay?” He gently wiped her tears away with his fingertips.
“Really?” Her eyes widened with doubt as she stared at him.
“Sure, I swear.” He gently pinched her nose. “We’ll see tomorrow.”
“Let’s go. I need to head home, or I won’t make it to tomorrow morning’s symposium.” She rubbed her eyes against his clothes like a kitten.
“All right.” He lifted her and strode toward the motorcycle.
“Thank you, Gabriel,” she said, her heart brimming with joy.
“You should thank me after tomorrow,” he objected.
“How should I thank you?” she asked, turning to face him.
Her breath carried a faint fragrance that brushed his cheek.
Give yourself, he thought.
“Let’s go,” he said.
He started the motorcycle and sped toward the place where she and Jack had once lived.
She closed her eyes and felt the wind and his scent. When the intense fragrance reached her nose, she smiled.
When they reached the community gate, the guard recognized them and waved them through.
However, he gave Gabriel several extra glances; news of his and Aidan’s arrest that morning had already spread throughout the neighborhood.
At the building entrance, Gabriel remained seated on the motorcycle, waiting for her to dismount.
She stepped down, stood before him, and tugged at his sleeve.
“Gabriel, come up and have a coffee,” she said. “But only ten minutes, okay? I have work tomorrow.”
He paused briefly before replying, “Okay.”
Her mood lifted instantly. Yet, as they walked arm-in-arm toward the building entrance, she stopped suddenly.
“Gabriel, I’m sorry. I can’t let you come up.”
She realized that bringing Gabriel to the home she’d once shared with Jack would be unfair to Jack.
“What’s wrong?” Gabriel asked, puzzled.
“I’m sorry. This is where Jack and I used to live, so… I don’t want…” she explained.
“I see. Then I won’t intrude,” he said. “I just want to see your two precious children.”
“Do you like children?” she asked.
“Yes,” he murmured, his eyes brimming with longing.
“Can you swim?” she asked.
“Yes, I can,” he answered.
“Then could you teach Sophia and Ethan to swim? Please?” She gently shook his shoulders.
“Sunday, then. That’s my day off,” he suggested.
“Alright, it’s settled!” She reached out and high-fived him to confirm.
“Go upstairs and rest now. Good night,” he said gently.
“Okay, I know.” She smiled.
Just as she turned to leave, she suddenly took his hand and said, “Come upstairs with me. I want to check your injuries.”
“What about Jack?” His eyes lit up instantly.
“Don’t mention him. He abandoned me and left me heartbroken for months. I went to Paris to find his shadow. But when I came back and saw the kids, I felt like I’d done wrong. My heart is torn. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably just drift through each day in a daze.” She poured out her inner turmoil.
The two chatted as they rode the elevator home.
Alison fumbled for her keys, unlocked the door softly, and pulled Gabriel quietly into the room.
“Would you like to see my children, Gabriel?” she suggested.
He nodded.
“Please be quiet. Don’t wake them up.” She led him toward the children’s room and whispered.
The door opened softly.
Sophia and Ethan slept soundly, their steady breathing filling the room. Moonlight spilled across their faces, making them look especially adorable.
Alison was absorbed in her children, ignoring Gabriel.
Then she pulled him out of the room. “Let’s go.”
Alison had planned to take Gabriel to her bedroom, but instead led him to the living room.
She sat him on the sofa. “I’ll get the first-aid kit. Wait for me.”
“Alison, it’s fine.” He took her hand. “It’s just a minor injury. I took care of it this morning.”
“At the hospital?” she asked casually, recalling that Aidan had also been to the hospital that morning.
“Yeah, I’m a bit delicate,” he joked.
“I still want to take a look,” she insisted.