The Day The Pain Began.

Xx location in Norway City,

In the spacious hallway of a funeral home, Leonica Bryce, a beautiful blonde in her Mid twenties, stood facing the stoic face of her handsome husband, Gabriel Bryce.

In the background, guests and acquaintances perambulated around, gossiping amongst themselves and sharing their condolences, but none of that mattered to Leonica as much as her husband's words did.

"Let's get a divorce." Those words, laced with his deep and charming voice, rang in Leonica's ears.

"What?" She asked in disbelief, not willing to believe what her ears had just heard.

"I said let's get a divorce," Gabriel repeated without a hint of remorse. "I'll have the documents ready in a few days." He added on.

Clearly hearing his words this time around, Leonica's face crumbled ever so slightly in anguish and her heart throbbed in pain.

"What? Why?" She asked as calmly as she could, not wanting to lose her composure and draw the attention of the guests at the funeral.

"Because I can't deal with you anymore." He replied, his face expressionless and cold, not even an ounce of pity for his wife, who was going through a hard time, barely having recovered from the death of his grandmother a month ago.

"You can't deal with me anymore?" Leonica repeated his words slowly, her heart throbbed painfully at his words and her eyes stung.

Although their marriage had been arranged by her family and Gabriel's late grandmother, she loved him and showered him with enough care and passion to melt any man's cold heart.

She gave up her position in her family Group to be his good wife, distanced herself from her friends to be by his side, only to hear those words now?

"Do you want to tell me why, honey?" She gathered the courage to ask, eyes shining with the tears that glossed her eyes.

Gabriel cringed at the use of the pet name. He hated it. Never for once during their three years of marriage had he enjoyed hearing her call him so lovingly. Neither had he enjoyed the way she treated him with fake love and passion, nor the way she moaned his name in bed while they made love.

Every single one of those things aggravated him!

"That's none of your business. All you should know is that I want a divorce." Gabriel said with finality, concluding the topic for the time being and walking away.

Leonica watched him walk back to discuss with guests and acquaintances, feeling as though her heart was about to stop beating.

Grandma's passing did hit a lot of people, and she knew Gabriel was the most. That old kind woman was the only thing he had to fall back on in his lonely childhood when his parents were busy with their careers. The person he valued the most in the world.

Leonica remembered how appalled Gabriel was when they learned the sad news. Some important part collapsed in his heart and she was the one who accompanied him to share the pain.

When he was trapped by the company's stock shock, she quietly took care of everything for the funeral. When he dragged his tired body home, she always prepared hot water and meals for him. Even when he wanted some way to vent, she cooperated to be the bed warmer to ease his sadness.

After this hard time, she thought he could at least feel a little of her heart, she thought their bond would be a bit stronger, but didn't realize it would be the beginning of the marriage falling apart.

Leonica felt her eyes burn hot and sting, tears threatening to spill out. Quickly, she raised her head, trying her best to prevent the tears from running down her face. She couldn't let it ruin her makeup and draw the attention of many.

The funeral was not over. She didn't want to mess it up. She would fix their problem with Gabriel, but not now.

Swallowing her pride and hurt, Leonica blinked her tears back and fixed her composure, keeping her chin up as she returned to attend to the guest.

A few hours later, the funeral finally concluded and Leonica and Gabriel got into the back of their shared Rolls-Royce.

The moment the car started moving, Leonica stole a glance at her husband who had his face turned to the window, his attention focused on the moving scenery.

The handsome side of his face made her trance a bit. How on earth had she fallen for such an aloof man? He didn't give her much passion except in bed. But even so, Leonica was content. She never thought of a divorce.

"I'm moving out," Gabriel spoke up, breaking the silence between them. His eyes still trained on the scenery, while her face was pale and confusion-ridden.

"Tell me why?" She asked as she lowered her head and clenched her dress.

"That's none of your business, Leonica," Gabriel said coldly, almost calling her name with disgust.

"I'm your wife, Gabriel, I have the right to know!" She countered.

"The reason for you demanding a divorce, the reason for you suddenly wanting to move out of our matrimonial home, all this I have the right to know." She added, trying her best to keep her emotions and voice in check.

"It's none of your fucking business, Leonica!" Gabriel snapped, turning to look at her.

The look in his eyes, the anger, and coldness, was enough to make Leonica shrink and flinch.

She had never seen Gabriel angry before. No, she had never seen him lose his cool. Ever.

"Just why?" She muttered. "Everything has been okay, peaceful even. We eat meals together all the time and even make...make love at night. We are happy, Gabriel, So, why are you suddenly like this?" She asked, her voice trembling.

"Happy?" Gabriel scoffed mockingly at her words. "Stop being delusional, Leonica. The only person who has been selfishly happy in this marriage is you."

He hissed, "I haven't been happy with you ever since you showed up in my life. All you've done is annoy me to no end. You've become nothing but a thorn in my flesh."

Leonica's heart constricted painfully at his words, the tears that threatened to spill back into her eyes, her lips quivering.

How could he be so harsh and say such cruel words to her? She didn't remember she did anything wrong to annoy him. Or did something else bother him?

"G-Gabriel..." She meekly called out, her words being disrupted at that very moment as his phone began to ring.

Ignoring his heartbroken wife beside him, Gabriel fetched his phone from the inner pocket of his phone, glancing at the caller ID.

The name on the screen displayed Angelina, with a red heart symbol beside it.

And just with that glance, Leonica quickly realized why he was so desperate for a divorce.

His past lover was back.

She's Pregnant!

Angelina Fernandez.

The woman whom Gabriel had loved for years; the woman who had broken his heart three years ago and fled abroad; and the same woman he expected to have back until their wedding three years ago.

It was a name Leonica would never forget. Because even on their wedding night, the name Gabriel moaned out was still "Angelina", not remembering the one lying under him was his new wife.

Leonica should have already given up this loveless marriage if Grandma hadn't asked her to. Grandma never liked Angelina, and she always believed that Leonica was the best wife choice for Gabriel.

"Gabriel," Leonica called out and then reminded him, "You promised Grandma you'd stay away from that woman."

"Are you threatening me?" Gabriel questioned with cold eyes on her. Hearing her talk about his late grandmother, he couldn't help but feel enraged. "You're in no position to talk about my grandmother."

She was about to say something else when he turned to face the driver and instructed. "Stop the car."

His sudden instruction caused a wave of confusion to wash over Leonica. Her brows creased as Gabriel ordered her coldly.

"Get out!"

Leonica's eyes widened and she froze on the spot. "What?"

Did he...did he really mean that? Asking her to get out in the middle of a road where cars rarely came by at this time point. Then how should she come home?

"Get. Out." Gabriel reiterated with a stern and authoritative voice.

"G-Gabriel," Leonica called out, her voice trembling.

"Get out, or I will make you," Gabriel growled again.

At this point, the driver had gotten out and was already holding the door open for Leonica, his eyes apologetic.

Leonica didn't have a choice, so without any other choice, she got out of the car.

As soon as she was out, Gabriel slammed the door close. The tears she had held back rolled down her face, as the Rolls Royce sped away and disappeared from her sight.

Suddenly, the ache in her heart seemed to have traveled all the way down to her stomach and the sharp pain hit her.

In a few minutes, everything went dark and silent.

Leonica woke up to the sound of hospital machines beeping and hushed whispers beside her.

Her lashes fluttered open and she found herself lying on a hospital bed, her arms hooked up to an IV.

Slowly, she turned her head to the side, her eyes landing on the familiar faces of her parents.

The blonde who was her mother, Cassandra, was the first to notice that she had opened her eyes.

"Oh honey, you're awake!" She exclaimed, a sigh of relief escaping her.

"We were so worried." Her father, Benjamin, chimed in, his expression filled with worry.

"Dad...Mom..." Leonica croaked, her voice weak and throat dry.

"I'll get her a glass of water," Cassandra said, rising from her seat and walking out of the room, leaving her husband and daughter alone.

"Honey, are you alright? Are you feeling better?" Benjamin asked, taking his wife's previous seat.

Leonica looked around the room with her eyes, before looking at her father and asking. "Why am I in the hospital? What happened?"

"You don't remember?" He asked and she shook her head.

Benjamin pressed his lips into a thin line, sighing seconds later before he began his explanation, "You had passed out on the road when a couple driving by saw you and rushed you to the hospital. You had mine and your mother's number stored as your emergency number, so the hospital called us as soon as you arrived."

"Oh," Leonica could only say, frowning instantly when the memory of Gabriel's cold face rushed back into her mind.

"They told us you'd collapsed because of anemia and overwork. Just in case there are any other problems, the doctors have run some tests and the results just came out," Benjamin continued, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"What did the doctors say?" Leonica questioned, not missing the sad and worried look that crossed her father's eyes.

"Darling," Cassandra walked back into the room, carrying a glass of water.

Leonica looked at her and noticed that her eyes were a little puffy and swollen like she had been crying.

"Drink this." Cassandra placed the glass of water on the table beside the hospital bed and handed it to Leonica.

With a nod, Leonica accepted the glass and gulped down the cool water, feeling the dryness in her throat slowly disappear.

"I heard you talked about the test results." Cassandra addressed her husband as she sat down. Benjamin nodded his head.

Leonica, who had her ears trained on their conversation, was not able to hide her confusion.

"What is it, Mom? What did the doctor say?" She asked.

Benjamin and Cassandra glanced at each other for a few seconds, communicating through their eyes, before turning to their daughter.

"The reason why you passed out was because of slight complications. You're two months pregnant, Leonica." Her mother informed after holding her hands tightly and a bit excitedly.

"What?" Leonica asked in surprise.

She...she was two months pregnant?!

The Mistress Returns.

The news instilled fear in Leonica as much as it did hope.

A baby was currently living inside her, serving as proof of the nights she and her husband made love together. Proof of how strong she and Gabriel's bond was about to become.

Would Gabriel cancel his demand for divorce if he learned of his child growing in her womb?

"I...I need to let him know." Leonica muttered under her breath, looking around for her phone.

She quickly found it on the nightstand and with a smile on her lips, she dialed Gabriel's number and pressed the phone to her ears, listening to the line ring.

It rang unanswered for seconds. Seconds soon turned into minutes and several more tries, but her efforts were futile.

Gabriel didn't pick up.

Well, how would he even have the heart to pay attention to her when his past love returned?

Her smile turned bitterly as the tips of her fingers clutching her cell phone started to shiver.

"Enough, Leonica," Benjamin sighed deeply and took away the phone from her daughter's hands after exchanging a look with his wife.

"He might just be busy, Dad." Leonica forced a smile trying to explain. She knew her parents never looked favorably on the marriage.

"Leonica my honey," Cassandra began as she held her daughter's hands. "Does Gabriel treat you this way, all the time?"

"Treat me what way?" Leonica asked, not understanding the underlying meaning of the question.

"Today was his grandmother's funeral, correct? Gabriel was at least meant to be with you, but the one who had brought you into the hospital after you passed out was a total stranger. What happened?" Benjamin asked with a serious look.

Leonica sighed. She didn't know how to tell them that Gabriel had demanded for a divorce. From the go, they never liked the fact that she had sacrificed so much just for the sake of marrying him. In order not to worry them, she had kept many of their arguments secret, from both her parents and his Late grandmother.

However, being loved or not could always be found from the smallest details. Her silence was enough to answer for her wise parents.

They both sighed and Cassandra shook her head before helping Leonica back to the bed, "Darling, I'm glad you're alright, and I'm also glad that you're expecting a baby. But, this marriage of yours, you should think about it very well."

"If it was not for Ms. Bryce's proposal and that you liked him so much, we wouldn't have even acknowledged Gabriel Bryce as our son-in-law," Benjamin scoffed.

Leonica's heart clenched and her mother added, "Darling, three years is enough to see into a man's heart. You're so smart not to understand that. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about the child in your womb."

Benjamin nodded, "If Gabriel has behaved this badly since the start, then I'm sure he isn't a good husband to you and I doubt he'd be a good father to that child. Divorce him and come back home. We're capable of helping you raise this child well."

Benjamin held his daughter’s shoulder to face his gaze and reminded her, "Leonica my dear, remember you're the daughter of the Romero family. We're not less powerful than his."

Cassandra nodded her head in agreement, "Divorce him, Leonica. I'm sure you deserve someone better. And your baby."

Looking at her parents' keen concern, to say Leonica was not moved would be an understatement. She didn't expect that so many people would ask her to give up her marriage in one day, all of whom were closest to her.

Had she really made the wrong choice in the first place?

She lowered her head and saw her bracelet, a wedding anniversary gift from Grandma. Gabriel almost forgot it every year but Grandma always remembered. It felt like Grandma was the only supporter of this marriage. Sometimes, even Leonica had no idea why Grandma had so much faith in her.

If Grandma were around today, would she have advised her to get a divorce too?

Leonica thought sourly but quickly dismissed the thought. No, Grandma would have been happy. Grandma had been looking forward to this great-grandson for a long time.

And Ragriel didn't know that he was going to be a father yet. Maybe he'd change his mind?

Tears blurred her eyes, and Leonica had made her decision. For Grandma, for the baby, and herself.

"No. I can't." She muttered, shaking her head.

"Leonica," Her mother began.

"Please Mom, " She interrupted her with pleading eyes. "Let me try again. Just one last time."

Her parents looked at her, seeing the determination and determination that swirled in her eyes. Sighing, they nodded and respected her decision.

A few hours later, she was discharged from the hospital with strict instructions to avoid stress and stern lecturing from her parents to take care of both herself and the baby.

Soon after, she arrived home and eagerly rushed into the house, wanting to tell Gabriel about the baby.

However, just as she stepped inside, her heart clenched and her face paled upon seeing a pair of red heels and a Green Gucci bag beside Gabriel's shoes.

Her heart ached once more while she tried to tell herself that there was no way Gabriel would do something like bringing another woman into their matrimonial house which had been a gift from his beloved late grandmother.

There was no way he would break the promise he had made to his grandmother, right?

'But then again...' Leonica's thoughts trailed off as she recalled Gabriel breaking the promise he had made to his grandmother by contacting Angelina.

Just the thought of that alone somewhat angered her and this time, she would not stand by and watch the blessed house she cherished be tainted by the likes of a third party!

Clenching her teeth, anger cursing through her veins, Leonica furiously ascended the stairs, rushing to their bedroom.

When she got there and furiously slammed their bedroom door open without so much as a knock, her entire body froze up and her eyes grew wide when she spotted a brunette sitting on the edge of their bed with damp hair and a bathroom towel wrapped around her body.

The person sitting on her matrimonial bed, currently looking at her with the most innocent look in her eyes, was none other than Gabriel's past lover.

Angelina Fernandez.

The one person she hated. Her worst nightmare!

Get Out Of My House!

The humiliating memory of the wedding night came back to her when Leonica caught Angelina sitting comfortably on her matrimonial bed like she was the real hostess.

"Y-You! How did you get in here?" Leonica hissed, anger rising to the surface of her visage as a glare formed on her eyes.

Angelina didn't say anything, instead, she just looked at Leonica provocatively. And the next second, the bathroom door opened from behind and Gabriel stepped out, with a bathroom towel wrapped around his waist as his wet hair clung messily to his face.

Leonica's heart shattered into pieces at that moment and her eyes were filled with betrayal, hurt, and annoyance, especially when Gabriel's facial expression turned into disdain after spotting her existence.

"Gabriel, what is she doing here?" Leonica demanded as she balled her fists.

Angelina wasted no time in scurrying over to Gabriel and shamelessly burying her face in his bare chest, acting like a scared cat.

Gabriel made no effort to withdraw from her touch nor shoo her off, instead, he embraced her, wrapping his arm around Angelina.

“Are okay?” He asked her with a soft expression.

The scene angered Leonica as much as it hurt her. She clenched her fist, nails digging painfully into her palm as she tried to stop her anger from overflowing.

"Gabriel..." She asked again, face twitching in anger. "I'm asking why this woman is here."

"That's none of your business, Leonica," Gabriel replied, his expression turning frosty as soon as he took his eyes off Angelina.

None of her business? There it was again. He did have no other words to her other than that, didn’t he? Leonica started to feel like a joke. Mom was right, why should she waste her time on a heartless man?

"You're right." She squeezed a mocking smile as she nodded, "I have no interest in what you were doing together."

"But this is my house, " She added, trying her best to sound calm and composed. "And I don't want to see her here. Leave this house, right this instant."

"What if I refuse?" Gabriel countered, causing Leonica to flinch, her eyes widening. "If you can't treat my guest right, you can go back to your parent's house and spend the night there!"

"W-What?"

Was her husband really telling her to leave Their home for another woman?

The very same woman who had broken his heart and left him a ruined mess three years ago?!

Leonica was speechless.

"You heard me." He stated, his eyes challenging. "What are you waiting for?"

"No," Leonica said, surprising not only Gabriel but also Angelina who glanced up at her in shock.

"Why should I leave?" She objected, taking a daring step forward and looking straight at Gabriel.

"This is my home, not hers. I have the right to ask any stranger to leave."

The sternness on her face surprised him, after all, Leonica was always one to obey his words and seemed meek. She rarely ever retaliated or objected over anything he said.

"This isn't your house alone, Leonica. I own this house just as much as you do. I have the right to invite anyone I want here." Gabriel retorted, his jaw taut.

Leonica knew this was a sign of his anger, but at this moment she didn't bother to care.

"Now you remember it's OUR house." Leonica sneered, "Or should I remind you more exactly? It's under my name, alone."

Her gaze was so sharp that he was a little unaccustomed. Leonica didn't lie, the house was a wedding gift from Grandma to them. He didn't care much when Grandma decided to put it under Leonica's name. But now seeing such a forceful face of her made him even angrier.

Ignoring her words, Gabriel insisted. "Angelina isn't going anywhere. I don't care if you want otherwise!"

Hearing his nonsense and seeing how he cradled Angelina in his arms like she was his true wife, Leonica couldn't hold her anger anymore.

“Gabriel Bryce, how can you be so shameless?” She asked, staring daggers at her atrocious husband and his mistress. “Aren’t you afraid that would disappoint Grandma…?”

Leonica’s words remained unfinished as an enraged Gabriel swung his hand through the air, smacking his palm clean on her left cheek.

The sound resonated through the empty walls of their bedroom, surprising both Angelina and Leonica.

Never in her three years of marriage had Leonica expected Gabriel to raise his hands against her.

With a throbbing cheek and wide, disbelieving eyes, Leonica held onto her red cheek and stared at her husband who was glaring ferociously at her.

“The nerves of you to mention my grandmother. You have no right to do so!” He spat, taking a step forward and jabbing his index finger painfully into her shoulder, making her take several steps back.

“Bare this in mind, Leonica Romero, if not for the wishes of my late grandmother, I’d much rather be dead than associate myself with somebody like you, talk less have you as my wife.”

His words were so cold and his eyes were so hateful to her that Leonica felt it like a bucket of cold water had suddenly been splashed on her, waking her up to the reality that she had been denying for the past three years.

She loved Gabriel, but it was clear he never loved her.

Without love, how would he give her baby a warm and loving family? What he really wanted would be a child with Angelina, right?

Leonica felt her chest heavy, like something had suddenly lodged itself in her throat and was blocking her breathing, and her eyes stung.

She was about to cry, she could feel the tears threatening to fall.

But she had to stop herself.

Since he had no heart for her, she could show even less weakness, especially when Angelina the home wrecker was still here, silently watching the whole fight raised by her.

So, biting down on her lower lip and blinking the tears away, Leonica lifted her head. She sighed as she armed herself with a sharp and fierce gaze.

There was no need to act and pretend coy anymore.

Mom and Dad were right, there was nothing worth keeping her in this marriage. So before then, why should she make it easy for them?

"You'd better not try me, Gabriel Bryce.” Leonica reminded him, “I, Leonica Bryce, am still your wife."

The way she looked at him was so calm and unfamiliar that took Gabriel aback.

And before he spoke, Leonica threatened, "If you really want that divorce, then get this woman out now."

Her Dimming Marriage.

Gabriel didn't know how to tell his feelings.

The woman standing before him was clearly the same, yet the aura around her had suddenly shifted.

Earlier in the day she had been pleading with him, trying to vie for his attention like a hungry whore and now here she was, acting like an arrogant lioness.

But most of all, he wondered why his heart ached when Leonica spoke of divorce with such conviction.

Wasn't her willingness to divorce exactly what he wanted?

"Gabe, I...I think I should leave. I-I don't want to see you two fighting because of me." Angelina's voice pulled him out of his mind. The little woman hung her head low in his arms, trying to restrain her trembling.

"Stay here." He tried to reassure Angelina but got Leonica scoffed. Gabriel shot his angry gaze to his wife again.

Angelina suppressed her smile and continued her act, "N-no. I think I should leave."

She said and quickly turned around to get dressed. However, when she just took a few steps from Gabriel, she acted wobbly and suddenly collapsed to the floor, pretending to faint.

"Angelina!" Gabriel called out, alarmed and worried, as he rushed to her side.

When his words failed to bring a reaction from her, Gabriel quickly picked her up in his arms, turning around, and shoving Leonica out of his way as he rushed out of the room.

Leonica who was still blankly rooted in her spot, watched her husband hurry out with his mistress. There was nothing but sadness in her heart. Gabriel had never cared for her like that.

The last of her will for trying to make the marriage work, dying out like a dimming candle.

Placing her hand on her stomach, she lowered her voice and quietly apologized.

"Little one, I'm sorry I won't tell your father about you. When you come into this world, please don't be too angry at Mommy."

** **

After leaving the house, Garbiel had rushed to the nearest hospital and had Angelina admitted and checked up on. Only after hearing that she was in good condition did Gabriel relax.

Taking one last look at Angelina's sleeping form, Gabriel exited the hospital.

The doctor said Angelina seemed to be over-stressed and needed a good rest and to stay in a good mood. Gabriel knew he'd better accompany her for the night, however, Leonica’s face kept flashing in his mind and he just couldn't stop it.

Damn! When it was clear that Leonica was the one who fooled Grandma and forced Angelina to break up with him, how dare she still try to fool him with that feigned innocent face?

He needed a drink, a stiff one.

A couple of minutes later, he was in the usual place he went each time he needed to forget about his married life. The bar was filled with loud voices. Gabriel had sat in a dark corner, silently nursing a glass of whisky as he stared off into the distance. No one knew what he was thinking but his uninviting aura signaled not to mess with this guy.

"Hello, Gabriel." Sebastian, one of his circle friends, greeted with a slight wave, turning seconds later to order his drink before fixing his attention back on the man who had only acknowledged him with a nod.

"I see you're here drowning yourself in alcohol again." He commented, watching his friend swirl his drink in the glass, then bringing it to his lips and downing it. "What's the occasion this time around? Failed business plans? Family issue?"

"Wife issue. Well, divorce issues to be more specific." Gabriel responded.

"Whoa, you're getting a divorce?" Sebastian raised his brows, a bit shocked at the revelation.

Gabriel nodded with an expressionless face, but why the heck did he hear excitement in Sebastian's tone?

"Damn man. I would have never imagined you being the one getting a divorce." Sebastian mused, a small grin pulling the corner of his mouth. "So does that mean Leonica's gonna be back on the market?"

At the mention of his wife, Gabriel's expression darkened and he turned to look at Sebastian, "What?"

"Don't look so surprised. Leonica is a wonderful woman, but you only have Angelina in your heart. Tough marriage, isn't it?" Sebastian took a sip as he blinked at Gabriel, "Since you're getting a divorce soon, I don't have to be concerned anymore."

"Though Leonica looks a little nerd, she’s got a damn hot body. No man would miss that. I should court her, maybe see what she's made of in bed." Sebastian chuckled, unaware of how his words had angered his friend.

In a split second, Gabriel was up from his chair, knocking it over as he suddenly threw a swift punch at Sebastian's face, not waiting for him to recover before he grabbed Sebastian by the collar and lifted him up from his own seat.

"Gabriel? What the hell?!" Sebastian exclaimed, struggling against Gabriel's hold.

"You'd best watch your mouth, Sebastian. Leonica is still my wife!" He growled.

"Man, you need to calm the fuck down." He huffed, finally freeing himself from Gabriel's hold and strutting away, muttering underneath in the process.

It was obviously Gabriel who first mentioned their divorce and he had just been kidding about Leonica, but why the hell was Gabriel suddenly reacting so hostilely?

Watching him walk away, Gabriel's chest still heaved violently. He had no idea why he was so overreacted.

He must have consumed too much alcohol tonight.

“Take me back to the office.” Gabriel instructed his driver as he stepped out of Club Parish and entered his car.

His driver bowed wordlessly, following his command.

Half an hour later, the driver parked the car in the driveway of his house rather than his office.

"Mr. Bryce, we've arrived."

Gabriel who had temporarily fallen asleep due to the alcohol, opened his eyes at his driver's announcement.

"Why are we here? I remember I said the office." Gabriel asked, rubbing his brow.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bryce." The driver bowed his head and explained, "I heard you calling the name of Mrs. Bryce, and I thought you wanted to go home."

Gabriel paused his hand and said coldly, "You heard wrong."

"And you're dismissed." He instructed, and without another word, walked into his home.

Stumbling up the stairs, he pushed the door to his bedroom open and walked in, stopping when he saw Leonica peacefully sleeping on the bed.

He was so messed up by the events of the night, while she was sleeping so well!