Ex-Husband's Regret

Chapter 0475

*Come in," he finally answers, just when I was about to give up and assume he's still asleep.

Opening the door, I enter. I find him seated on his bed. When he sees me, he moves down, sitting on the edge. I close the door and cross the floor to where he is.

"How was girl's day out?" he asks, his voice a bit thick with sleep.

*Enlightening."

"How?"

*Can I ask you something? And promise to be honest about it."

He turns fully to me, now fully awake. His eyes roam over my face as if he's trying to figure out what I'm about to ask. After a minute, he nods his head.

"I realized that Andrew must have blackmailed you into marrying me the first time. Given your heartbreak, you wouldn't jump willingly into marriage, especially with a girl you barely knew. Could you please tell me what he had on you?"

I could tell that he really didn't want to, but I needed the answers. I needed to know how Andrew was able to secure a marriage between us.

*Harper..."

*Please?" Update first at NôvelDráma. Org.

"Rowan got worse after he got married to Ava. He wasn't doing well and Andrew got evidence that Rowan was drinking and doing drugs. He threatened to expose that evidence to the media. With a scandal like that, it would have ruined the company and Rowan's image. So, I agreed because I didn't want Rowan's image to be ruined. He was supposed to step in as the C.E.O with me as his VP,"

I knew it. I just knew that Gabriel wouldn't have married me willingly. I guess living in a fantasy world, believing that he felt something for me was easier to believe than the alternative.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He pulls me up and guides me down so that I'm sitting on his lap.

"I hated your brother for that, but I later realized why he did it. He didn't want you to be alone. I've come to the realization that he gave me a gift. I almost realized it too late, but better late than never. I want you, Harper. I need you like the very air I breathe, and I'll spend the rest of my life showing you that you own my heart. I'll spend the rest of my life atoning for the shit I put you through."

"Gabriel..." I didn't know what to say.

He was making his intentions very clear. I didn't know what to do with that, but I also rejoiced even though I didn't show it to him.

*Haven't you wondered why I came to you? I could have had any fucking woman. They would have happily agreed to enter into a marriage contract, yet the moment I was given the ultimatum, my mind immediately thought of you. I believe it's because you are my destiny. That's why I never fell in love with anyone during the years we were apart, and neither did you. I needed to mature and let go of the fucking past before I could be the kind of man you need. I'm not there yet, but I'll fight to be a man worthy of your heart."

I keep quiet. Thinking of everything he just said. Could we really work this time? Is it really fate that we are here years later after a really terrible beginning?

*I want a chance with you, darling, but I won't push you. I'm content to wait for you, however long it takes, until you are ready to have me. We'll take one step at a time."

He cups my cheek and kisses my forehead. I immediately melt in his arms. I wrap my hands around his broad shoulders and lay my head against his, just content with being in his arms.

"By the way, I forgot to tell you that my parents have a charity gala tomorrow. We'll be attending." He says so casually, I almost hit him for springing this on me and being unbothered by it.

I rip my head from his and stare at him with round eyes. "And you are telling me this now!"

"It slipped my mind!" he grumbles, trying to defend himself. "It's not my fucking fault that I get distracted when you are around me. I barely think of anything important."

"I need to find a dress," I jump from his lap, ready to rush into my bedroom to see what's there to wear. If I don't find anything, I'll have to go shopping tomorrow morning. It'll be Sunday, but I'm sure a store or two will be open.

*One last thing."

I stop with my hand on the door handle.

"What?"

*You are sleeping here tonight and every night." He informs me, as his eyes bore into mine. "I got used to having you in my bed the entire night while we were in Tokyo. I'm not going another night without you in my arms."

I don't reply as I open the door and leave, but I can't stop the smile that takes over my lips.