Chapter 273 Both Are Heartbroken
His grip was like a vice, and Jessica's shoulder was screaming in pain.
But she toughed it out, not even a flinch, let alone a cry.
"Why the silence? Speak up!" Gabriel demanded.
Jessica bit her lip, pushing through the pain, "I really do care about your health."
Gabriel let out a cold laugh, his eyes turning even colder. "Didn't you say it was no big deal, that I'd bounce back in no time? And now you care?"
"I meant under normal circumstances. I didn't know you were burning the midnight oil and not resting."
"Yeah, 'cause your heart's with another guy."
Jessica tried to explain, "I told you, Vincent and I are just friends."
"What aboutus?" His eyes bore into hers, red-rimmed and demanding.
She looked down and said, "We're friends too."
"Really?" Gabriel let her go with a bitter smile.
Right then, the fancy dishes started arriving.
Soon, the table was loaded with food.
"Oscar said you haven't been eating well. Let's eat first," Jessica suggested.
Gabriel pulled out a chair.
He ignored the utensils and food, grabbing a bottle of whiskey and drinking straight from it.
Jessica freaked out and rushed to snatch the bottle from him.
Gabriel held on tight, but by the time she got it, he'd already downed a third of it.
He drank it like it was water, no hesitation.
Thinking about his health and his recent state, Jessica was genuinely scared. "Stop drinking, Gabriel. Put the bottle down."
Gabriel put down the bottle, giving Jessica a cold stare. "Who are you to tell me what to do? A friend? Sorry, in my world, friends don't get to boss me around."
His words cut deep, like knives stabbing into Jessica's heart.
"I don't know why you're mad at me. If it's 'cause I helped Vincent, then fine. When my life was on the line, he saved me without a second thought. I owe him. If the 'friend' label bugs you, don't worry. After tonight, I'll be out of your life. It's awkward being friends after failing as a couple. Maybe being strangers is best."
With that, Jessica grabbed the bottle from Gabriel. "Fine, if you wanna drink, I'll drink with you."
She tilted her head back and started chugging.
She'd never had whiskey before and had no idea how harsh it was.
The moment it hit her throat, she choked, tears streaming down her face.
As it burned its way down, it felt like her throat and stomach were on fire.
She put down the bottle and started coughing uncontrollably.
Her eyes were red, tears streaming down.
She felt utterly miserable.
"You're nuts," Gabriel stood up, patting her back and handing her a glass of water. "Drink some warm water."
Jessica took the warm water, gulping down two large glasses, finally feeling a bit better.
Then she saw Gabriel pour out all the whiskey and smash the bottle.
He sat down next to her and asked, "How do you feel?"
"Not great," Jessica replied.
"Get some chicken soup," Gabriel told the waiter.
A few minutes later, the chicken soup arrived.
Seeing Jessica down the whole bowl, Gabriel finally spoke up, "If you couldn't handle it, you should've cut back."
"You need to cut back, too," Jessica shot back, just as determined.
"Fine, I won't. Let's eat," Gabriel said.
The meal was awkwardly quiet.
The only sounds were the clinks of cutlery on plates. They ate in silence, not a word exchanged.
Midway through, Jessica excused herself to the restroom.
When she came out, Oscar was waiting. "Ms. Morgan."
"You didn't leave? Have you eaten? Wanna join us?" Jessica asked.
Oscar shook his head. "Mr. Walton picked this quiet spot to have a meal with you alone. He just wants some time with you. And there's something you should know."
"What is it?"
"That night, after Mr. Walton left your place, he stood outside your building all night, staring at your window. He was really down, smoking the whole night, and only left at dawn."
Jessica felt a mix of emotions hearing this.
It seemed people only appreciated what they had after it was gone.
With a bitter smile, Jessica asked, "Do you think I can go back to how things were with him?"
Though she asked Oscar, she didn't really expect an answer.
After a pause, she answered herself, "Honestly, I have no confidence at all. I don't even see a glimmer of hope."
Oscar said, "Ms. Morgan, I get your concerns, but Mr. Walton really loves you now. He's changed a lot for you. About Dr. Turner, it's more complicated than you think. Mrs. Walton convinced Dr. Turner quickly because Mr. Walton bought the plot of land Dr. Turner wanted most."
Jessica looked at him, surprised. "What plot of land?"
Oscar replied, "The plot next to Dr. Turner's deceased daughter. He always wanted to buy it so he could be buried there with her. But it was already sold, and the buyer was a mystery. Dr. Turner tried everything but couldn't get it. Mr. Walton asked around and found out the buyer's conditions were tough, but he agreed without hesitation."
Jessica was floored. If Oscar hadn't told her, she would've never known about all these twists and turns. Gabriel had just brushed it off like it was nothing.
Thinking back, he had asked her to find her mother so she would think it was her mother who had solved the issue, making it seem easier, so she wouldn't feel guilty or worried.
Pushing open the door to the private room again, Jessica's heart was a mess.
Her steps felt heavy.
Step by step, she walked up to him, her eyes red as she asked, "Grandpa did invest in Dr. Turner's project for me and helped me connect with my mentor, but this time, Dr. Turner agreed to see me not because of Grandpa, but because you helped behind the scenes, right?"
"Oscar told you?" Gabriel's eyes were calm, only his eyelids lifted slightly.
"That's not important. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to break up, be strangers, and never contact each other again? If it weren't for these things, why would you come to me personally?" Gabriel gave a bitter smile.
With that, his heart ached.
"But I don't want you to pay such a high price," Jessica said.
