Chapter 3: The Last Straw
864 Words
Chapter 3: The Last Straw
(Gabriel's POV)
I yanked my hand away from Elena's waist as if I'd been shocked, taking two awkward steps backward. Suddenly aware of Isabella still in the room, I felt an unexpected wave of panic. My friends followed my gaze to where she stood in the shadows, her face eerily impassive, and immediately began damage control.
"Elena's had too much to drink and lost her balance," Austin announced loudly. "Since everyone's in high spirits, why don't we play Truth or Dare?"
The suggestion was met with enthusiastic agreement. I settled back into my corner of the sofa, but couldn't stop watching Isabella from the corner of my eye. I had expected anger, jealousy, maybe even a public scene. Instead, she sat quietly swirling her drink, as if what had just happened meant nothing to her.
This unnatural calmness unsettled me. The Isabella I knew would have reacted differently. This woman seemed like a stranger – no longer the predictable girlfriend I'd grown accustomed to controlling.
The game continued, the atmosphere growing more animated. Elena lost again and chose "Dare." Austin drew a card, his expression instantly shifting as he read it. His eyes darted uncomfortably between Elena, me, and Isabella. Several socialites peered over his shoulder and gasped.
"Pick a random person of the opposite s*x in the room and kiss them," Austin finally read aloud, his voice strained.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. My mood darkened instantly, but to my shock, Elena laughed and stood up. She walked directly toward Austin and affectionately wrapped her arm around his neck. Austin froze under my murderous glare, not daring to move.
Just as Elena's lips were about to touch his, I leapt to my feet.
"Enough!" I shouted, storming over to grab her wrist. Ignoring everyone's stunned expressions, I roughly pulled her out of the private room.
(Isabella's POV)
Everyone exchanged awkward glances before their gazes collectively settled on me, their eyes brimming with undisguised pity. I simply took a sip of my soda water and smiled sardonically.
"Why are you all staring at me? Keep playing," I said calmly.
They uncomfortably averted their eyes, pretending nothing had happened. But in that moment, my heart turned completely cold.
I remembered clearly how Gabriel had always prided himself on his self-control, never losing his composure over any woman in public. Yet last night, he had completely lost his mind over Elena. It finally dawned on me with crystal clarity that I had never been irreplaceable to him.
After finishing my drink, I excused myself to the restroom. In the stall, I overheard several women touching up their makeup outside.
"Gabriel has lost his mind. Can you believe he abandoned his actual girlfriend for his first love?" one laughed.
"Isabella is so pitiful. She's just a rebound," another added.
"Gabriel has always loved Elena. That relationship is doomed – it's only a matter of time," a third voice declared confidently.
I pushed open the stall door and walked out. The women spotted me, immediately fell silent, and hurriedly fled the restroom. Standing before the mirror, I calmly washed my hands, looking at my still-beautiful reflection. My mind was extraordinarily clear: yes, my relationship with Gabriel was ending. Not because he was leaving me, but because I no longer loved him.
(Gabriel's POV)
I returned to our villa around noon the next day, exhausted. Pushing open the master bedroom door, I was surprised to see an open suitcase on the floor.
"What are you doing?" I frowned.
Isabella poked her head out from the walk-in closet, her tone neutral. "I'm going to visit my parents for a while."
Relief washed over me. I'd been worried that after last night's incident, she might use it as leverage to pressure me into marriage or meeting my parents. I knew perfectly well that my mother, Margaret, with her Morrison family status, would never accept a "commoner" like Isabella with no background to speak of.
Since she was just going back to that ordinary home to clear her head, that was actually perfect. I even started calculating in my mind: perhaps in the future, I could marry Elena to satisfy my family's expectations for a suitable match, while keeping the obedient, understanding Isabella as my mistress. I figured a few expensive gifts would be enough to soothe her feelings.
(Isabella's POV)
I continued packing my clothes with fluid, unhesitating movements. When Gabriel approached, I caught a glimpse of the hickey partially visible beneath his shirt collar. My hands paused momentarily before I nonchalantly looked away.
The girl who would have been heartbroken over such a mark was dead. The current me no longer cared who he spent the night with or who stirred his emotions. I wouldn't be coming back, though I kept that thought to myself.
"I was wrong last night," Gabriel said with a hint of guilt. "I'll have someone deliver this season's newest handbag to make it up to you."
I responded with a noncommittal sound, not even bothering to look up. After he left the room to shower, my phone screen lit up with a message from James.
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