Chapter 19
One of the comments read, “A devoted husband? Men like Alex will say whatever fits their narrative. Didn’t you see how he cast his wife aside for his adoptive sister?
“And that kid? Well, Lucas is just like his father. He blindly devoted himself the mistress. He even slapped his mother for her!”
Someone else wrote, “But didn’t Alex’s adoptive sister end up with nothing in the end? She never married into the Palmer family and even lost her status as their adoptive daughter, right?”
Another replied, “Who knows what they were thinking? He kicked his wife out to be with the mistress, but when she finally stepped aside like he wanted, he turned around and dumped the
mistress too!”
Until now, every encounter had been through a screen. But seeing Lucas in person, Gabriella finally grasped just how much time had passed.
He had grown so much.
Nearby, Stephen noticed her distraction. His grip on her hand tightened before he shifted from across the table to sit beside her.
Then, he wrapped an arm around Gabriella’s shoulders and pulled her close. It was an unmistakable show of dominance.
When Stephen lifted his head, his gaze was laced with provocation.
Even so, Gabriella didn’t stop him. Instead, she withdrew her gaze from Lucas and leaned in closer to Stephen.
At that subtle movement, Lucas‘ eyes instantly teared up. His lips trembled, grief written all over his face as he choked out, “Mom, I missed you so much. W–Why didn’t you ever come looking for me?”
He looked like an abandoned child–crying and helpless.
The scene quickly drew attention. In no time, passersby stopped to watch the drama unfold.
Sensing the weight of their stares, Alex led Lucas into the private room, shutting the door behind them and
cutting off
the outside world.
The second they stepped inside, Lucas instinctively rushed toward Gabriella. Unfortunately for him, Stephen was quicker. He immediately stepped in to block Lucas‘ path.
“What do you think you’re doing? Talk if you want, but keep your hands to yourself!” Stephen snapped.
Lucas glared at him, his voice brimming with anger and defiance as he shot back, “She’s my mother! Who are you to keep me away from her?”
From the moment he discovered Gabriella’s whereabouts, he had rushed to Hanbridge City without a second thought. He was terrified that if he were even a step too late, he’d lose her again. The past five years by Theodore’s side had taught Lucas many things. At this point, he had mastered the art of deception.
He managed to fool Theodore with his obedient act, only to sneak onto a private plane and fly straight to Hanbridge City.
During the journey, Lucas had envisioned countless scenarios for their reunion. Maybe Gabriella would regret leaving him, or perhaps she’d still be angry. But he believed she would forgive him as long as he apologized sincerely.
Yet, in reality, she didn’t.
Gabriella stood rooted to the spot. When Lucas took a step closer, she calmly sidestepped him before slowly shaking her head.
“I’m not your mother, Lucas, have you already forgotten the mother you chose?” she questioned.
His face drained of color at her words.
Seeing that, Alex stepped forward and grabbed Lucas‘ hand.
“Gabby, I know you resent us. But he’s just a child,” he stated, his voice carrying a hint of reproach.
་
Alex continued, “He didn’t know what he was doing back then. What matters now is that he realizes his mistakes, isn’t it? Why are you treating him like this?”
At last, Gabriella lifted her head. For the first time since their reunion, she met his gaze head–on
“Mr.Falmer, we’re divorced. Given our current relationship, you have no right to call me by my nickname. From now on, please address me as Ms. Robinson. Otherwise, my boyfriend might get jealous.”
Her detached tone created an undeniable distance between them. However, it was the words “my boyfriend that hit Alex hard.
He already knew about Gabriella’s relationship with Stephen. After all, he had seen the documents.
But hearing it from her was something else entirely.
Gabriella looked indifferent. For a split second, Alex felt as if their roles had reversed.
Once, he had been the one dictating the terms of their relationship.
