Chapter 3
Gabriella’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected them to come back so suddenly and just in time to hear her on the phone.
Instinctively, she ended the call and turned to face them. She quickly masked the surprise in her eyes and kept her expression composed.
“Nothing. I was just clearing out some things from my room which I don’t use anymore. I’ll be throwing them out in a couple of days.”
Alex seemed unconvinced. His gaze bore into her as if trying to see right through her.
Nonetheless, she didn’t flinch nor waver. There wasn’t a trace of guilt in her demeanor.
After a moment, he dropped his gaze as he thought he was overthinking it.
Seeing their suspicions ease, Gabriella subtly steered the conversation elsewhere and remarked, “You guys are back earlier than I expected.”
Speaking of which, Lucas made himself comfortable and immediately started giving orders. He complained, “Duh. I was sick of the food and the place. Go make dinner. I want pasta.”
Gabriella frowned slightly and subconsciously turned to Alex, but he stood there and remained silent. From the way he was looking at her, she could tell he wanted the same thing as Lucas.
Pressing her lips together, she turned and headed into the kitchen.
Suddenly, Gabriella found herself laughing at the absurdity of it all.
For years, she had been both a wife and a nanny. She’d personally taken care of them and made sure everything was to their standard to keep them happy.
In the end, that was all she had become in their eyes. A nanny.
There was no respect or gratitude, only expectations.
Gabriella spent a long time preparing dinner before setting each dish on the table.
The two of them naturally took their seats together. She sat across from them and, out of nowhere, suggested, “We should bring the maids back.”
When she and Alex first moved into this house, there had been plenty of maids. But none of them ever cooked to his liking or took care of him as well as she did.
And since Alex didn’t like too many people around, he had sent them all to Palmer Manor.
Alex frowned. This was the first time she had ever made a request.
“Why?”
“When I’m gone, no one will look after you two. You should get used to not having me around.”
His frown deepened at her casual tone.
“When you’re gone? Where are you going?”
Lucas finally put down his fork and gave her an unimpressed look. “Are you upset because we’ve been busy taking care of Aunt Mel? Is that what this is about? Even if you do leave, where can you go?”
Alex studied her intently.
He thought that Gabriella had never worked a day in her life. She had no background, no education qualifications, and no career. Without the Palmer family, without him, where could she possibly go?
She wouldn’t leave. She never would.
Neither of them took her words seriously. Gabriella didn’t explain, only letting out a quiet sigh.
Dinner ended without another word on the matter.
Late at night, Gabriella and Alex lay in the same bed, both wide awake.
Gabriella had long grown used to this kind of life—sharing a bed yet worlds apart. She kept her distance, eyes closed and breathing steady.
Then, the mattress shifted as Alex moved closer. Heat radiated from his body as his arm naturally wrapped around her waist, his breath warm against her neck.
Sensing what he wanted, Gabriella was about to push him away when she heard it.
“Mel…”
His hoarse voice was thick with intense emotion and longing.
In that instant, memories came rushing back to Gabriella’s mind. Every time they had been intimate, he had always called out Melody’s name.
A wave of irritation surged within her, and she shoved him away hard.
Snapping out of his trance, Alex felt confused about why she’d done that.
Was it because he called Melody’s name?
But It wasn’t like this was the first time. He had told her from the very beginning where his heart belonged. So, why was she making a fuss now?
Gabriella could see exactly what he was thinking. Without another word, she threw back the covers, grabbed a blanket, and walked straight to the door.
“I’ll sleep in the guest room.”
