“Gabriel, you can’t be serious.” My voice wavered slightly, my hands clenched around the edge of the table as if I could ground myself to the room. “Your mother... she’s never wanted me around. And now you want me to trust her?”
Gabriel looked at me, his jaw tightening as he tried to calm the storm swirling between us. “I know, Jasmine. But Eleanor—my mother—has access to resources, and connections we can’t ignore right now. Nathan’s empire is bigger than we thought. We need help, and she’s the only one who can provide it.”
I shook my head, disbelieving. “This isn’t just about the business, Gabriel. It’s about me, about us. Every time she’s come near, she’s tried to tear us apart. Now, all of a sudden, she’s on our side?”
Gabriel exhaled, rubbing his forehead, clearly frustrated. “I did
