Chapter 133 Missed and Meaningless
Jessica wanted to say, 'and marriage.'
But her marriage was already broken and gone.
Suppressing the stabbing pain in her chest, Jessica put on a beautiful smile and said lightly. "Nothing much."
The marriage she wanted would never come in her lifetime, and the love she desired had long since left her.
So, when she heard about Xavier and Ximena's love story, she couldn't help but like it and envy it.
People tended to yearn for and envy the things they couldn't obtain. She was no exception.
"You'll meet someone too," Gabriel suddenly said.
Jessica asked, "Meet who?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to meet a unique love, someone who loves you wholeheartedly? Jessica, you'll meet someone like Ximena did, someone who cherishes and loves you, who protects you like his life."
"Really?" Jessica smiled but said nothing.
"Maybe you've already met him," Gabriel said.
With that, he impulsively reached out, wanting to grab Jessica's hand and solemnly tell her, 'Jessica, I was wrong. I was foolish. I didn't understand my own heart. But now, I understand. I will cherish and love you like Xavier cherished Ximena. Can you give me another chance?'
However, his hand stopped abruptly when he heard Jessica's words, frozen in mid-air.
"Yes, I already met him a long time ago, but I didn't hold on. Maybe it's just fate!" Jessica shook her head helplessly.
Gabriel's heart felt like it had plunged into an ice cellar, completely chilled.
His outstretched hand trembled, then clenched into a fist before slowly retracting behind him, all without a sound.
It was as if he had never reached out at all.
He closed his eyes briefly, and his heart filled with pain. When he opened them again, the pain was even deeper, more piercing.
When she said 'already met', he was so happy. He even rekindled hope, determined not to let go, no matter what, even if she hated him.
But the words 'a long time ago' plunged him into the abyss, into hell.
A long time ago?
She had said she loved someone for ten years.
So, the person she was talking about wasn't him, but the man she had loved for ten years, hidden in her heart for ten years.
Not him.
When he realized this, he was almost driven mad with jealousy.
He hated himself for not seizing the opportunity, for not cherishing her; he hated himself even more for not knowing who that man was.
"Are you hungry? What do you want for lunch?" Gabriel changed the subject.
Jessica answered, "Anything is fine. Since this is Xavier's hometown, you must know it better than I do. I'll eat whatever you recommand."
Gabriel nodded. "Okay, wait a moment."
After putting down their luggage, Gabriel and Jessica went out together.
In front of them was a long, winding path paved with bluestone slabs. Maybe it had rained, so the ground was very clean, and even the bluestone slabs looked much brighter.
On both sides were houses retaining the characteristics of the past. Some walls were covered with green leaves and blooming with various colored flowers, looking particularly beautiful from a distance.
As they walked closer, the air was filled with the rich fragrance of flowers.
At the end of the path, they turned left. It was the town's market, which was probably the busiest place in town.
Gabriel took Jessica to eat the most distinctive food in the town, a delicacy he never missed whenever he visited.
He was initially worried that Jessica might not like it.
When he saw her polish off a big bowl, he finally felt at ease and smiled contentedly.
After lunch, Gabriel took Jessica for a walk around the old town.
The old town wasn't big, but the scenery was nice. And the various small shops were dazzling, making it hard to take it all in.
Jessica liked browsing through exquisite little jewelry shops. When she found something she liked, she would buy it.
After visiting a few shops, her wrist was already adorned with several bracelets of various styles.
"Do you like these?" Gabriel asked.
Jessica raised her hand, shaking the bracelets. As they made a crisp sound, she smiled. "Yes, don't you think they're beautiful? And you can buy so many without spending much. Don't you think it's worth it?"
"Indeed." Gabriel nodded, feeling a bit bitter in his heart.
They had been married for two years. Although their relationship wasn't great, he never missed any important occasions.
Anniversaries, birthdays, various holidays—almost every important day, he would instruct Oscar to pick out a fine piece of jewelry for her.
Any one of those pieces could afford many of these bracelets, but she was never as happy receiving them, always appearing indifferent.
"I've bought you jewelry too," Gabriel said, a bit jealous.
"Yes!" Jessica nodded, her voice lowering. "You've bought me many sets of jewelry."
But those were all chosen by Oscar, given by Oscar, without his involvement at all.
He never even asked her what styles she liked.
So naturally, very few of them were to her taste.
Gabriel asked her, "I don't think I've ever seen you wear them?"
Jessica looked up, her clear eyes meeting his, and she said seriously, "Gabriel, considering our long years of marriage, let me give you a small piece of advice."
Gabriel looked at her. "What advice?"
Jessica uttered, "In the future, if you have a girl you love and want to give her jewelry, at least find out what she likes first. Don't blindly give gifts. Even a thousand pieces won't compare to one that truly touches her heart. And I don't think any girl would want to receive a gift chosen and given by her husband's assistant. I'm no exception."
With that, Jessica quickened her pace and walked ahead.
Gabriel stood there, stunned, as if in a daze.
Wasn't she talking about him?
Yes, he had indeed given Jessica gifts on many occasions, but they were all prepared by Oscar.
He never asked her what kind of gifts she liked.
It turned out that the foolish one was himself.
They had been married for two years, but he didn't even know what she liked. Thinking about it, he felt like a complete failure.
Seeing Jessica walk away, Gabriel didn't dare delay. He quickly jogged to catch up with her.
Gabriel asked, "Can you tell me what you like?"
Jessica replied coldly, "My preferences shouldn't matter to you anymore."
"What if they matter to me?" Gabriel looked at Jessica, his eyes shining like stars. If she didn't have strong self-control, she might have been drawn in by those eyes again.
Quickly looking away, Jessica said, "If you truly care, you'll find out for yourself. It loses all meaning if I tell you the answer."
