Chapter 218 Jessica, I will love you twice as much
"Jessica," Gabriel called out, his whole body shaking with excitement. "So, it's me? I'm the one you've always loved?"
Up until now, it all felt like a dream to him.
If he hadn't heard it from her own lips, he wouldn't have believed it.
"No, it's not," Jessica denied, teasingly.
Gabriel cupped her cheeks, grinning like a kid, and said, "No, Jessica, you can't lie to me. I heard it. I already heard it."
With that, he hugged her and kissed her over and over.
He was just too happy.
This was the happiest thing that had happened to him in a long time.
He lowered his head and kissed her passionately.
All his excitement, all his happiness, all his thrill, all his emotion, poured into that kiss.
If he could, he would melt her with his love.
It wasn't until Jessica could barely breathe, her whole body softening in his arms, that Gabriel reluctantly let her go.
Gabriel said appreciatively, "Jessica, thank you."
"For what?" Jessica asked as she looked up, her face still flushed from the recent passion.
Gabriel explained excitedly, "You liking me already makes me incredibly happy, but I never thought I could be even happier. Jessica, thank you. You gave me this unique surprise."
Jessica teased, "You're just slow, only realizing it now."
This time, Gabriel didn't deny it.
Gabriel confessed, "Yes, I'm very slow. I only now understand your feelings. I'm unforgiv—"
Before he could finish, Jessica covered his mouth with her hand. She said, "Alright, I forgive you."
But Gabriel still had one question.
"But why ten years? We haven't known each other for ten years yet," Gabriel asked.
"Fool," Jessica laughed, gently touching his brow. She reminded, "Didn't you ask me why I always had so much affection for No.1 High School? Even on the day we divorced, I made a special trip there."
Gabriel asked, "Why?"
Jessica revealed, "Because that's where I first met you, and where I fell in love with you at first sight."
That year, she was 14, just starting her freshman year of Junior High.
Now, she was 24, a graduate student.
How long it had been. She had given him the best, most beautiful years of her life without hesitation.
Gabriel listened quietly, waves of emotion washing over him.
He didn't want to speak now; he just wanted to listen to Jessica talk quietly.
Jessica recalled, "The first time we met wasn't when I took the jade bracelet to the Walton family to see Grandpa Walton. It was during my freshman year, during military training, when I fainted, and you carried me to the infirmary."
She continued, "I remember, you were so dazzling then, like the brightest star in the universe. My heart was moved instantly, and from then on, no other boy could compare to you."
Jessica's eyes gradually grew sad. Then she added, "Later, when I recovered, I once tried to greet you, but I found you had forgotten all about me."
"I'm sorry, Jessica," Gabriel said, holding her tenderly.
Even after all this time, he could still sense her pain through her eyes.
Initially, he was happy, excited, and thrilled when he first learned all this.
Yet now, he felt more distressed and regretful.
Distress for all the love she had given him back then, which had never been reciprocated.
Regret for only realizing it now.
Jessica was right; he was really slow.
His memory quickly returned to the night they divorced.
She stood on the high school playground, speaking calmly.
"You know, he was like a brilliant star that accidentally fell into my heart, shining brightly, dazzling. But back then, he didn't remember me at all," she said.
"After knowing how good his grades were, I studied even harder. I studied like crazy; hoping that one day I could be as excellent as him, and go to the same college, so I could see him sometimes," she continued.
"Even if he didn't know me, I was happy. I didn't ask for much. My requirements were simple. As long as I could see him, I was satisfied," she added.
It wasn't until now that he realized the person she had been talking about was himself.
She had even asked him, "Gabriel, do you want to know who that person is?"
But he had angrily refused.
He said he didn't want to know.
Now he knew how foolish he had been, how much time they had missed together.
"Jessica," Gabriel choked up, holding her again, his hands trembling.
He wanted to speak, to say something, but found he couldn't utter a single word.
In the end, he could only hold her.
He held her tightly, with all his strength.
After a long time, he whispered in her ear, "Jessica, from now on, I will love you twice as much."
Gabriel promised, "I will make up for all the youthful years you loved me, okay?"
"Okay," Jessica nodded in agreement, unable to hold back her tears any longer.
Ten years ago, she had silently, quietly loved him, never thinking they would ever cross paths again.
Two years ago, she married him and became his wife.
And now, this was her happiest, sweetest moment.
Because she knew she hadn't loved the wrong person; her love was finally reciprocated.
Ten long years, ten long years of secret love, her love was finally rewarded.
At this moment, Jessica felt that all the sorrow she had experienced was worth it.
Although Gabriel had undergone surgery, his physical condition was relatively good, and he recovered quickly.
Two days later, the doctor said it was time for him to leave the hospital.
In the morning, Jessica packed up their things, and Oscar came to pick them up.
They helped Gabriel into the car first. Jessica stood outside the car, hesitating before speaking, "Gabriel, let Oscar take you home first. I'll come see you later."
Gabriel replied, "You're going to see Vincent, right?"
As soon as Gabriel spoke, Jessica's eyes widened in surprise, and asked, "How did you know?"
Gabriel said gently, "Your little thoughts are written all over your face."
"Will you be mad?" Jessica asked.
Gabriel responded, "Go ahead."
Hearing Gabriel's words, Jessica's face immediately lit up with a smile. She leaned in and kissed his cheek, She praised, "Thank you, Gabriel. You're the best."
Jessica assured him, "Don't worry, I'll come back to you after I visit him."
Gabriel agreed, "Okay."
Watching Oscar drive away, Jessica went outside to buy some fruits and then headed to the hospital.
"Hello, can you tell me which room Vincent is in?" Jessica asked the nurse at the front desk, her voice gentle.
The nurse asked, "Vincent Lucas? Is that his name?"
Jessica confirmed, "Yes, that's right."
The nurse informed, "He was discharged this morning. He probably just left a little while ago."
Vincent actually had been discharged. It seemed she was a bit late.
Fortunately, she had Brian's phone number from that day, so Jessica immediately called him, "Hey, Brian, where did your Captain Lucas go after being discharged?"
