Chapter 335: Little Fool
“But… Gabriel, it hurts when I see that,” Alison murmured, blinking as she pouted. Gabriel brushed his hand through her hair as they stepped inside.
“Wait—Gabriel,” she called after him.
“What is it?” he asked, not stopping, ignoring the tremor in her voice.
“Don’t come in. Please,” she pleaded, tugging at his arm.
“Why?” he asked hoarsely, his face shadowed with that dangerous charm that made her heart stutter.
“I already feel guilty about Jack,” she whispered. “So please… not here. Not in the room where he once lived.”
“Why cling to the dead?” he murmured, stepping inside anyway. Then his lips descended toward hers.
“Gabriel—no, you rascal!” she gasped, twisting away.
“From now on, forget him,” he commanded, lifting her as if she weighed nothing and striding toward the bathroom.
“Gabriel—let me go!” she cried, half-angry, half-panicked.
“I won’t,” he said flatly, unmoved.
“Then I’ll bite you,” she warned through gritted teeth.
“Go ahead,” he said coolly, kicking the bathroom door open with a sharp thud.
Anger flared—she bit down hard on his arm.
She refused to release him, jaw locked stubbornly.
He turned on the shower, the spray cascading over them. As the foam slid away, a streak of red swirled into the drain—the place she’d bitten was bleeding.
She recoiled, horrified, a smear of blood marking his skin.
Water dripped gently over the wound, washing it clean.
Oh my God… that must hurt.
Yet Gabriel didn’t flinch; he simply kept washing her in silence.
her from the bathroom.
“Jack will hate me,” she murmured, head bowed. “Gabriel… do you think he’ll hate me?”
“No, he won’t,” Gabriel said softly. “If he really loved you, he’d want you to live— not drown in sorrow.”
Alison turned his words over in her mind, unwilling to admit that he was probably right.
“But Gabriel… what should I do?” she whispered, voice trembling.
He brushed a damp strand from her cheek, guiding her to sit beside him on the bed. Slowly, they leaned back together.
His gaze locked on hers—tender, familiar, heartbreakingly like Jack’s. Alison felt herself drowning in it.
“Gabriel… tell me. Who is that man?” she demanded, eyes bright with desperation. The question that had haunted her for days finally escaped.
His fingers traced her cheek lightly, the softness sending a tremor through him.
He hesitated, then said lowly, “Alison, you can’t take him on. It’s better you don’t know. Let me deal with it.”
She shook her head stubbornly.
“Gabriel, tell me anyway,” she insisted. “I need to know who he is so I can be ready.”
After a long pause, Gabriel said quietly, “There are two of them… but I only know one by name.”
“One’s enough!” she pressed, lifting her tear-streaked face toward him. “Tell me, please.”
“Promise me you won’t go after him alone,” he warned. “You’re no match for that kind of man. If you can’t promise, I won’t tell you anything.”
Her heart thudded violently; she couldn’t breathe until he spoke.
“Matthew was the one who threatened you—but someone else sent him those photos,” Gabriel said, his voice low. “That person wanted him to torment you… and Emily. The truth is, you and Emily might be sisters.” He pulled her closer as if shielding her from the words themselves.
Shock rippled through her, colliding with an eerie sense of understanding. Why us? Why torment Emily and me?
“Gabriel… I need to see Emily alone. Can you help me?” she asked softly.
“Alison, is that wise?” he hesitated.
“If we’re sisters, why can’t I face her myself?” she insisted, eyes glinting with determination.
“She’s too far gone, Alison,” he said grimly. “The drugs own her now. If anyone offers them—no matter who or what they demand—she’ll obey. They’ve controlled her for years.”
Hearing this, Alison’s heart clenched. What about him? she thought. He’s used them too.
Gabriel closed his eyes, weariness clouding his face.
“Nothing’s impossible,” he said quietly.
“Then quit, please, Gabriel,” she pleaded, her voice breaking.
“All right,” he sighed. “But you’ll have to give me time.”
She nodded slowly, knowing that quitting would be harder than any promise.