FROZEN HEARTS -BETRAYED AND BROKEN

Are you done watching me?

Amanda POV

I tried to open my eyes, but they felt unbearably heavy. Sleep still clung to me, refusing to let go.

Even with my eyes closed, the surroundings felt unfamiliar, alien in a way that made me hesitate. I didn’t dare open them.

I shifted slightly on the soft, comfortable bed, letting myself sink into it, and before I knew it, I had drifted back to sleep.

“Partner… wake up.”

The voice was deep and masculine, but I resisted at first. It had been a long time since I’d had such a peaceful, comfortable sleep. Wait—Sam! Where is my Sam?

Suddenly, adrenaline coursed through me. I sat up instantly, my heart pounding, and there was Gabriel, seated at the end of the bed, looking at me with a puzzled expression.

“I want to find my daughter. I want to find Sam!” I shouted, my voice cracking. The thought of my baby’s absence had driven me to sleep, yet now, awake, my urgency returned tenfold. I sprang from the bed, ready to rush out, but Gabriel caught my hand before I could move.

“Calm down. What’s wrong with you?” His gaze locked onto mine, fierce and commanding, but unlike before, I did not feel intimidated. I had been through too much already; his anger could not scare me anymore.

“What’s wrong with you?” I fired back.

“Have you already forgotten everything?” he asked, disappointment flickering across his eyes.

“No, no. I haven’t forgotten anything,” I replied firmly. I thought I glimpsed a small, almost imperceptible smile form on his lips, but it disappeared instantly, like he didn’t want me to notice it.

“Then you have to be strong if you want this to come to an end,” he said.

“Look, I know you’re in great pain and you miss your child so much,” he continued, “but we’re in the same position. We have to see this through, no matter what.”

He was right. Justin had hurt me in ways I had never imagined. I did not deserve any of the pain I had endured. I had given him my trust, my love, and yet he had repaid me with betrayal. Thinking about it now only steeled my resolve.

“Good. I think you need to be serious if we are going to handle this,” Gabriel said, his tone softening slightly. “Go, get refreshed and come for breakfast. Then we’ll plan our next move.”

Before I could protest, he exited the room. I exhaled shakily, feeling as if I had just run a marathon. The effect he had on me was undeniable .He had a way of stirring my emotions, a pull that felt both dangerous and strangely comforting.

I headed to the attached bathroom. Everything about this house was spacious, luxurious, and immaculate. Gabriel was clearly a man of wealth. I didn’t spend much time in the bathroom.I simply freshened up and gathered my thoughts.

When I returned to the bedroom, clothes were neatly laid out on the bed: a yellow floral dress, panties, and a matching b*a, all my size. My eyes widened slightly in surprise. How did he know my size? I quickly pushed the thought away- I didn’t need my mind wandering down inappropriate paths.

I dressed quickly, slipping into the dress. As I stared into the mirror, it felt as though the outfit had been made for me, hugging my curves perfectly. I combed my hair back, memories of Justin’s compliments flickering briefly in my mind. I forced myself to push them aside. Since returning from abroad, Justin had done nothing but make me cry, regret, and question everything. I had no time or energy to dwell on him now.

Descending the stairs, I passed through the living room and entered the kitchen. Gabriel was at the stove, cooking, his back to me. My hands instinctively went to my hips as I stood there, surprised. How could a man this wealthy cook for himself, let alone do it with such precision? I recalled Justin-not once had he lifted a finger in the kitchen.

Gabriel wore shorts and a simple apron, yet his presence dominated the room. His focus was intense; every movement purposeful, precise. I hesitated, not wanting to disturb him, unsure whether to leave or watch silently.

Just as I was about to retreat, he spoke in his low, husky voice. “Are you done watching me?”

I froze, startled. How did he know I was turning away?

“I—uh—I wasn’t…” I stammered, attempting to explain myself, but he raised a hand slightly, a mixture of amusement and warning in his eyes.

“You should sit,” he said, turning back to his cooking. “Breakfast will be ready soon, and I expect you as my guest.”

I hesitated, then moved toward the dining area. It felt strange to be the one being waited on, to be the center of attention without doing anything. Yet, the hunger gnawing at my stomach reminded me that this was no time for pride.

When breakfast was finally ready, Gabriel served it personally. I felt awkward, almost guilty, as he placed the plates before me. I sat down quickly, eager to eat, and dug in hungrily, ignoring his attentive gaze.

Yet I could feel it. Those piercing green eyes tracking my every move, observing me with a mix of curiosity and something deeper I couldn’t quite name.

I tried to focus on my food, but awareness of him lingered, making me self-conscious despite my hunger.

Once I finished, I instinctively rose to clear the table. Gabriel’s sharp eyes immediately caught me. “Sit. You are my guest. I insist.”

I hesitated, then obeyed. His tone had that rare blend of politeness and authority that made it impossible to argue. I remained seated, though I kept one hand on the edge of the table, ready to move if needed.

After breakfast, I moved into the kitchen to wash and dry the dishes, working silently. Gabriel did not intervene, and I found some comfort in this small sense of independence. The awkward tension from breakfast had eased slightly, replaced by a quiet familiarity.

When I finally returned to the living room, Gabriel was at his laptop, engrossed. I paused, uncertain whether to announce my presence. Then, without warning, his voice broke the silence, sharp and explosive.

“Damn it! I can’t believe this woman went this far!”

Before I could react, he hurled the laptop across the room. It shattered into pieces, the sound echoing like a gunshot. I jumped back, heart racing. Just minutes ago, he had been cooking breakfast, calm and controlled. Now he was a storm, raw and unbridled.

“She’s going to pay! They’re all going to pay!” he yelled, his voice booming. My instinct was to retreat, but I couldn’t. I was rooted in place, torn between fear and curiosity.

When he finally noticed me, his mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came out. His eyes, however, revealed everything: pain, fury, anguish. It was impossible to tell which emotion dominated.

Summoning courage, I moved closer to the shattered laptop pieces and began collecting them, one by one. Each movement was careful, deliberate. Occasionally, I glanced up, seeing him lost in thought, consumed by his inner turmoil.

I wanted to reach out, to offer comfort, but fear held me back. What if I angered him further? What if, in my attempt to help, I only made things worse? My heart thudded painfully as I worked, but I continued, determined to do something useful.

After collecting all the shards, I placed them on the couch. I sat at a safe distance, observing him. His head was in his hands, body tense. I wanted to comfort him, but every instinct screamed caution.

“Do you need water?” I asked tentatively. Immediately, I chastised myself internally. Really, Amanda? Now?

Gabriel suddenly burst out laughing- deep, rich, almost terrifying sound that reverberated through the room. I blinked, startled. Relief? Confusion? Perhaps both.

He was unpredictable, volatile, yet magnetic. The mixture of tenderness, fury, and intensity made him impossible to ignore. Watching him, I realized I had no idea how to navigate this man, this storm of emotions and contradictions.

And yet, despite everything, I felt a small spark of hope,a feeling that maybe, just maybe, we could face the chaos together. I stayed silent, watching, learning, waiting for the right moment to act.