THE DISGRACED HUSBAND IS A BILLIONAIRE

13: CARELESS

Selene asked George to clean the swimming pool, at the back of the house. This is because two days from now, Gabriel's birthday party will be held in this area.

The surface of the water shimmered, and calm under the fading light, until the sharp screech of rubber broke the silence.

Gabriel gripped the handlebars of his bike, his small face set with determination. The back tire was already flat, just as he had planned. His heart pounded, not from fear, but from the weight of what he was about to do.

“Just a little more…” he whispered to himself.

Then, he swerved.

The bike hit the edge of the cement with a loud crack, the impact sending it flying forward, straight toward George.

“Gabriel...!” George barely had time to react before the bike slammed into him.

With a heavy splash, George lost his balance and fell into the pool.

Water erupted everywhere.

“Ah—!” George gasped as he hit the cold water, quickly pushing himself up. His hair clung to his face, his clothes soaked, but his mind was already elsewhere.

“Gabriel!” he shouted, panic rising in his voice.

He rushed to the edge and climbed out as fast as he could, water dripping from every part of him. His heart raced as his eyes searched for the boy.

Then he froze.

Gabriel was on the ground.

His bike lay beside him, twisted and fallen on its side, one wheel still spinning slowly in the air. Blood trickled from Gabriel’s elbow and knee, staining his skin.

“A-agh…!” Gabriel cried, his voice is shaking, tears streaming down his face.

George’s chest tightened. “Gabriel!” He rushed toward him, kneeling down. “Hey, hey… don’t move. Are you hurt badly? Let me see...”

Before he could reach out.

“Gabriel!”

Selene’s voice cut through the air.

She came running, her face filled with panic, her eyes wide with fear. She dropped to her knees beside her son, pulling him gently into her arms.

“Oh my God.. Gabriel! What happened?!” she cried, her hands trembling as she looked at his injuries.

“M-Mom…” Gabriel sobbed, clinging to her.

Selene’s expression changed the moment her eyes lifted, and landed on George. Her fear turned into anger.

“What did you do?!” she shouted, her voice sharp and furious.

George blinked, caught off guard. “Selene, I... he rode straight into me, I didn’t...'

“You were supposed to watch him!” she snapped, her grip tightening around Gabriel. “How could you let this happen?!”

“I was just... cleaning the pool, I didn’t see..” George tried to explain, his voice strained.

“That’s the problem!” Selene shot back. “You weren’t paying attention!”

George’s jaw tightened, frustration mixing with concern. “Selene, I’m telling you the truth... this was an accident!”

“An accident?” she repeated, her voice trembling with anger. “Look at him!”

Footsteps approached quickly.

Silvestry arrived, his gaze immediately taking in the scene, Gabriel crying, Selene furious, George drenched and tense.

“What happened?” he asked, his tone controlled, but his eyes sharp.

Selene didn’t hesitate. “George let this happen!”

Silvestry’s expression darkened slightly. He stepped closer, placing a protective hand on Selene’s shoulder.

“I knew this would happen,” he said quietly, but with enough weight to be heard. “This is exactly why I was worried.”

George looked at him sharply. “Don’t start twisting this...”

“I’m not twisting anything,” Silvestry interrupted smoothly. “A child got hurt under your watch.”

“That’s not fair!” George snapped. “You weren’t even here!”

Silvestry tilted his head slightly. “No. But I am here now. And I can see the result.”

Selene’s anger flared even more, fueled by his words. “This is why I don’t trust you!” she said to George. “You’re careless! and worthless!"

George stared at her, hurt flashing across his face. “Selene… you really think I would ever let anything happen to him on purpose?”

But Selene didn’t answer. She only held Gabriel closer, her anger already choosing a side.

And just for a brief moment, hidden behind tears and trembling shoulders. Gabriel’s crying softened. Because his plan… had worked.

After visiting the nearest clinic;

Selene pulled the car into the driveway, she carefully carried Gabriel inside the house, his small frame tense against her side. The boy’s eyes never left the floor, and when George tried to speak, Gabriel stiffened, he looked anywhere, and not to him.

George opened his mouth, but Selene gave him a sharp glance. He shut it immediately, knowing the weight of silence was heavier than words right now.

“Come on, Gabriel,” Selene said softly as they entered the kitchen. “Let’s make your favorite salad. You’ll feel better after this.” She tried to lighten her own mood, hoping to coax a smile from him.

Gabriel’s small fingers lingered at her side, but he remained distant, arms folded. Selene started chopping vegetables with practiced ease, humming lightly to break the tension.

But George, determined to help, or perhaps he could..

Selene said. "No".

George leaned over, but he insisted, “No, I’ll do it. I’ll make it for him.”

Selene shot him a warning glance. “George, please… just step back. I’ve got this.”

But George persisted, leaning closer with a distracted grin. And then, without warning... Selene’s knife slipped. A sharp sting seared her hand as the blade nicked her palm. She yelped, dropping the knife with a clatter. Blood welled immediately, mixing with the chopped vegetables on the cutting board.

“Ah! My hand!” she exclaimed, clutching it instinctively.

George froze, panic finally shows on his face. “I… I didn’t...”

“Stop right there!” Selene snapped, frustration lacing her words."This is all your fault!"

Gabriel, watching them from the corner of the table, felt a new wave of anger. He wanted to reach for his mother, to protect her, but instead, he just turned away, sulking silently.

Selene bit his lips, exhaling sharply as she pressed a towel to her bleeding finger. Her anger toward George mingled with her own frustration at the accident. She glanced at him, and her face hardened.