Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Seraphina
“Are you serious?” | snap:
Stop whining about him being in your house. He’s trying to do the right thing and came to say goodbye in person. He could have just gone to court and gotten an order to take them to New York just like you thought he wonudil. You tabl bien It’s all or nothing, your words and not his. He’s obviously thought long and hard about this and tralded the fact that he can’t be there for the kids as much as they need him and is graciously stepping aside. I know it’s not the decision you hoped for, but you are the one who did the whole ridiculous all or nothing scenario”
mmyk Because I don’t want y kids to be here waiting for him all the time while he’s in New York with his new kids while
hile totally ignoring them. They are happy now: they want for thing
1 get it. I really do.” Deb sighs as her eyes goliack down to him. “And he does too. He’s thinking of their needs before his own and trying to do
things the right way, at least give him some credit for that”
“What about the invasion of my privacy?” I widen my eyes. “Huh?”
“Don’t blame him for you leaving your dildo around.” She widens her eyes back.
“Mom.” Luria comes running up the stairs toward me all excited
“Gabriel is here.”
My stomach flips with fury at her excitement. “Is he? My eyes roam down to the front row and I can see the back of him as he sits and watches, his broad shoulders, they stand out from a mile.
“Can I a
I go and sit with him?” she begs as she jumps on the spot.
1 fake a smile. “Sure.”
“Tay” She skips down to the from row and shimmies along the seats until she gets to him. I watch on as she taps him on the shoulder. He smiles broadly when he sees her and then moves his jacket from the seat to make room for her to sit down beside him. He says something and she smiles goofily up at him, her excitement that he’s here is palpable. I watch their interaction with my heart in my threat.
“How could you ever be sad about that?” Deb says. “Look how happy she i
“He’s leaving”
know,”
So how is her getting to know him doing anyone any good? This is a disaster waiting to happen.“.
“Let him have his hour with them. He will be back in New York tonight and they will never see him again.”
“True.“1 sigh. “I just don’t get why he wanted to come in person to say goodbye. If he’s leaving, just do it by text. Don’t put us through it.”
Deb raises an unimpressed eyebrow. “They are not just your kids, you do know that, right?”
The game goes on and on, but my mind is a mile away. My gaze keeps dropping down to Gabriel and Lucia talking and laughing as they watch, and I hate to admit it, but I’m livid that Lucia is awestruck by his nice guy act. I’m your mom, have some fricken loyalay kid
“That was a great game,” Deb says.
ended.
I glance up, miles away, “Yes.“1 clap as I pretend to know the game has end
What the hell, I’ve been so lost in thought, F’ve missed the entire game.
Gabriela
and Lury came up the steps of the grandstand to see us. “Good lord.” Debutters under her breath. “Could he be any hotter.” “Looks are deceiving.“1 whisper through a fake jinde.
He holds his hand out to Debbie Hello, I’m Gabriel His voice is deep and husky.
17.08
ENDING THE LAST BETRAYAL LOOP: Faked My Death and Found REAL FREEDOM
Chapter 51
Debbie thakes his hand. “111” She sandles mist hievously as she stares up at him. T Debbis, Seraphina’s best friend and crudo.
“Oh. His eyes widen 1 didn’t realize you were related.”
Bang, bang, bang goes the Mood through my vein. Why does his close proximity affect me to much?
Cut it out, hormones.
“Do you live here tee Gabriel asks Delille
“Yes. I’m the reason Seraphina first came to this town.”
“Him.” Gabriel acts grumpy. Thave you to blame for stealing her from me, do 17”
I guess so.” Debbie laughs, and I roll my eyes.
Don’t try to charm her. you asshole.
Ugh go back to New York
“Uh“Deb’s eyes fack to me. If I could say something, I would, I’m too distracted by the adrenaline screaming through my veins.
“Dominic played great,” Gabriel says casually.
“He did, didn’t he? Deb agrees
Did he? I have no idea; I didn’t watch one minute of the match. Too busy dissecting the trainwreck
“Shall we head down?” Gabriel asks.
I nod, unable to push one nice word through my lips.
We walk down the grandstand and over to the side of the pitch and Dominic comes out of the changerooms with his bag, he glances up and sees Gabriel and his face falls.
So does my heart.
Gabriel forces a smile and I die a little iroide. For both him and Dom
“Great game,” Gabriel says.
“Thanks” Dom grumbles.
Suddenly’s award.
Tll get going.“Dab says. She rubs her hand through Don’s hair. “Great game, buddy.”
“Thanks, Aunty Deb”
“Have a great weekend.” She kisses my cheek. “Nice to meet you
Gabriel
“You too.” He smiles.
The four of us stand in silence, unsure what to sag next
Gabriel’s eyes hold mine, Tve made arrangements for you to be looked after financially, my accountant will be in touch to get your banking details.”
“That isn’t necessary, we don’t want your mynwy.”
“Don’t be a fool. Seraphina.”
“Don’t even
“Well” His eyes bold mine. “I guess I should get gring”
Mikael Truund #FAL FREEDOM
Chapter 51
Enunion crashes over me like a shipwreck as we stare at each other.
“It’s for the best,” he says as if seming my inner meltdown. “Youretight about everythi
I nost, unable to push a word past my lips.
Π
“So goodbye.” He smiles down at the twins.
They have no idea how significant this goodbye really is.
Don’t leave them.
If he doesnt want to be their dad, then I can’t change it. It’s better he leaves now rather
“Gabriel is going back to New York, guys, say goodbye,” I tell them.
ather than a long, drawn out goodbye
Lucia locks up at him. “When will you be back?” A frown flashes across his face. “I can’t come back” “Oh Her little face falls.
Give him a bog “I prompt them.
Gabriel goes down on one knee and Lucia gives him a big bear hug. He closes his egos as he holds her close.
It was so lovely to meet you” he tells her. Til ever forget you.” Lucy sides into his hair as he holds her close.
My nostrils are as I try to keep it together..
They eventually pull out of the hug and he turns to Dominic. “Can I get a brag goodbye?” Gabriel asks him
Dominic sighs as if he is a major inconverdence.
“Hug Gabriel,” I snap as I widen my eyes. Can you stop being a litle shit for just once in your life? This could be the only time you will ever get to hug your father, please just do it.
Gabriel grabs Dominic and holds him tight and seeing the two of them together is too much, the dam does burst this time and I quickly wipe alone
tear as it escapes
I don’t even know why I’m crying, I know this really is for the hest,
“It was an honor to meet you,” Gabriel says as he straightens his sons Tshirt. “You look after your mother.” Dominic nods..
Gabriel stands and his haunted eyes meet mine. “Goodbye”
Goodbye.”
We stare at each other for a beat longer than we should, his eyes drop to the kids and then without another word he turns and walks off
The earth moves beneath me.
The kids instantly start to chatter as if nothing has happened, and to them it has
I feel the pain run through me like a tidal wave. Not for me, but for them.
He got to know them, and still he didn’t want them.
The hump in my throat hurts as I stare at the ground.
How could be walk away from the two most wonderful things on earth? What the hell is wrong with him?
