Chapter 17
Gabriella had met Stephen two years ago. Just like the other research staff members in the laboratory, she spent most of her time at the lab for the sake of her experiments. Occasionally, their professor might force them to take breaks so they wouldn’t burn out—and he did it by force, locking the doors and windows to force his students to travel and have fun.
She spent the rest of her time receiving awards in ceremonies. Other than that, she rarely stepped away from the lab.
Two years ago, when Gabriella traveled abroad with her seniors, she accidentally got separated from them.
As she stood in place, waiting for them to return, she unexpectedly encountered Stephen.
He sauntered over nonchalantly but froze for a moment upon seeing her face.
Gabriella, noticing his prolonged gaze, instinctively became wary.
She didn’t say mach but carefully took a step back. When her seniors finally found her, she cautiously mentioned the encounter.
Her seniors asked Stephen a few questions, but his answers were vague. He only claimed to know her, yet Gabriella insisted she had never met him before.
Assuming he had ulterior motives, her seniors turned him over to the local police.
In hindsight, it could be said that they met under unusual circumstances.
Later, when the misunderstanding was cleared up, they began crossing paths more frequently.
From the start, Stephen showed a keen interest in her. Occasionally, he would extend invitations, and even their professor seemed to approve, sometimes even expressing frustration at the other seniors for not being more proactive.
Stephen struck the perfect balance. He wasn’t too persistent as to make her uncomfortable, yet not too distant as to let his presence slip her mind.
Their relationship developed naturally.
The first snow had just begun to fall on the night he confessed.
Fireworks it up the sky, reflecting off the pristine white snow. There was no noisy crowd, no teasing onlookers–just him, kneeling on one knee, holding a bouquet.
For a moment, it felt as if they were the only two people left in the world.
“Gabby, I love you. Let’s be together.”
He left her the option to reject him, but his sincerity was on full display. She looked at him with hesitation; she did not immediately accept the flowers.
“I was married. I had a child.” She lowered her gaze, and her voice was slightly hoarse. Stephen heard the unspoken words hidden in her silence: Why would you even love someone like me? Before confessing, Stephen had already thought this through.
Unlike Alex, he had always known Gabriella’s true identity from the very beginning. She wasn’t Alex’s admirer, nor was she just a woman whom Theodore sent to Alex’s side in an arranged warriage.
She was a verman wiss bad willingly signed a six–year contract with the Palmer family out of gratitude.
Stephen had watched her devote herself to taking care of Alex for six years, even giving birth to his child, doing everything she could to be a good wife and mother.
When Alex tell in love again with his ex–adoptive sister, Gabriella became the target of repeated accusations and slandering, but not once had she considered leaving him.
So, Stephen thought she truly loved Alex
Back then, he had felt regretful, perhaps even jealous toward Alex for having a grandfather who always looked out for him, and a wife who loved him wholeheartedly.
It wasn’t until the dramatic events at Melody’s birthday party that he realized how narrow–minded he had been all along.
When Stephen met Gabriella again later, she was no longer the quiet, submissive woman when she was with Alex.
She didn’t need to do much, her presence was enough to draw all attention.
Stephen was drawn in ber. He found himself unconsciously gravitating toward her as his interest grew stronger. Now, he was sure that his feelings weren’t just fleeting impulses, nor was he trying to compete with Alex
He loved Gabriella for who she was.
“Gabby, I knew everything. And that’s why I know my feelings for you won’t change because of anything that’s happened in the past. Everything I’m doing now is simply out of my love for
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
