Chapter 28 The Agreed Divorce
Gabriel had just opened the door when, suddenly, with a loud thud, Oscar yelped, having been hit by the door.
Seeing Gabriel's furious state, Oscar thought he got in trouble for delivering the medication late. Quickly pleading his case, "Gabriel, it's not my fault, Madam has eyes everywhere. You don't know, but downstairs a bunch of guys searched me all over, not just once but three times.
"If I hadn't fought tooth and nail, they would've stripped me bare. If it wasn't for my smarts in hiding the medicine in my belt, I never could have brought it in. Gabriel, you better take your meds. I'll go get you some water."
Gabriel's icy gaze cut through the air, fixated on Oscar as if he'd just emerged from a freezer, "The antidote's been administered. Why do I need to keep ingesting that stuff?"
"Ah, it's been neutralized?" Oscar was utterly perplexed and turned to Jessica, then, it clicked.
"Take the meds and get lost," Gabriel barked.
Oscar hurried after him, all the while asking, "Gabriel, what are we up to now?"
"To find the person who can give me the antidote," replied Gabriel.
"Ah...?" Oscar was baffled. Hadn't Jessica already cured him of the drug's effects? What was this all about now?
As he watched Gabriel stride off, clearly about to depart, Jessica couldn't hold back any longer, "Are you truly going?"
Without facing her, Gabriel's voice was cool, "Isn't this what you wanted?"
Jessica bit her lip, suddenly feeling lost for words. She had never wanted him to seek out Diana. It was he who yearned for Diana. Not her.
Forget it. If she'd decided to let go, what difference did it make if it was sooner rather than later?
"When you leave, close the door." With those words, Jessica spun around and ran.
Upon reaching the bathroom, she heard the door slam shut. Unable to contain herself any longer, she emptied her stomach in an instant. She didn't recall how long it lasted, just that in the end, her belly felt hollow. When she finally looked up, her face was ashen, drained of all color.
The night was deep. The sky was black as ink.
Jessica stepped out onto the balcony just in time to see his tall silhouette slide into the car, decisively, without a moment's hesitation.
Then, the black vehicle swiftly vanished into the night. Growing more distant. Until not even a shadow remained. Jessica watched the empty spot for an eternity, her neck aching from the strain.
The night breeze was chilly, slicing through her. Only when she felt nearly petrified by the cold air did she turn back into her room. She flicked off the lights and wrapped herself tightly in the covers. As if by doing so, she could warm her body, maybe even her heart.
Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Diana calling.
"Hey, what was that about Gabriel that you mentioned earlier on the phone?" Diana asked. There was a hint of urgency in her voice.
Jessica parted her lips to answer.
Then, from the other end came the sound of a doorbell. In the next moment, she heard Diana's voice, "Gabriel, you... why are you here?"
Jessica's phone slipped from her grasp. ‘He had gone. He went anyway,’ she thought to herself, feeling dejected.
She'd clung to a sliver of hope.
She told herself that since Oscar had delivered the medicine and he'd taken it then he'd be all right and wouldn't go looking for Diana.
But now, that last thread of hope had been severed.
After a night virtually sleepless, only succumbing to exhaustion at around four or five in the morning, Jessica finally drifted off. She woke up late the next morning, surprised to see it was already ten o'clock.
Xavier's birthday had come and gone, and today was the day she and Gabriel had agreed to break the news of their divorce to Xavier. Yet, she hadn't received a single call from him.
After freshening up, Jessica dialed Gabriel's number.
No answer.
She didn't give up and kept calling. Determined to end their marriage, she didn't want to delay. No longer in love, she refused to beg for his pity like a fool.
Maybe it was for the best. Perhaps she could forget all this and start anew. Ten years was long enough to invest in someone. Even the most abundant love could be depleted eventually.
In the office, Gabriel's phone wouldn't stop ringing.
Oscar frowned at him, "Gabriel, you sure you won't pick up?"
Silence hung in the air.
Gabriel remained silent, standing by the window with his hands behind his back, his piercing gaze cold as he stared outside, not uttering a word.
He knew why Jessica was calling today. It was the moment he'd anticipated for two years. Yet, he hadn't expected to feel so indifferent now that it was finally here.
The relentless ringing continued. Gabriel rubbed his temples in irritation. He couldn't deny her tenacity, her relentless calling.
Finally, Oscar picked up the phone, following Gabriel's unspoken cue. "Hello, this is Oscar."
Jessica, frowning, "Where's Gabriel? I need to speak with him."
Oscar glanced at Gabriel, then conveyed, "Gabriel's in a meeting right now. Can I take a message?"
It wasn't what she wanted to hear. "Well, let him know that today's the day we agreed to talk to Xavier about the divorce. I'll be waiting at home."
"Jessica, perhaps you could wait a bit longer. Gabriel has been swamped these past few days and might not be able to make it home. He'll reach out to you as soon as possible."
"Hello...?" Before Oscar could say more, the line went dead.
As she descended the stairs, Xavier sat in the living room sipping tea. Jessica immediately approached him with a radiant smile.
Xavier was delighted to see her, but his expression darkened when he looked past her, "Where's Gabriel, lass? Didn't you two come down together?"
"Ah..." Jessica, quick on her feet, swiftly explained, "Gabriel headed off to the office early this morning. You know how he is, Xavier, he's always sticking to his routine, never one to sleep in."
Her explanation seemed plausible, and Xavier easily believed her.
"All right, then. Go have your breakfast. After you're done, there's something I'd like to discuss with you," Xavier suggested.
"Sure thing, Xavier." Jessica obediently complied.
The breakfast spread was lavish, filled with all her favorites. Even so, she had little appetite. But remembering the baby nestled inside her who needed nourishment, Jessica managed to eat her fill.
After breakfast, learning that Xavier was soaking up the sun on the balcony, Jessica promptly joined him.
"Take a seat, lass," he offered.
"Okay, Xavier." Jessica sat down with her face wreathed in a sunny, radiant smile. She always showed Xavier her happiest, most joyful side.
Whatever issues there were between her and Gabriel, Xavier would always be her unwavering pillar. Knowing Xavier wasn't in the best of health, she didn't want to burden him with worries.
After a thoughtful sip of his tea, Xavier finally spoke, "Jessica, tell me the truth. Has that boy Gabriel been giving you a hard time?"
"No way, Xavier. Where did you hear that? Gabriel's always been wonderful to me," she reassured him, flaunting the bracelet on her wrist and the necklace around her neck. "Look, Xavier, these are gifts from him. I hesitated, but he insisted on buying them for me."
A pang shot through her at the thought of the earrings Diana wore, but she masked it immediately.
When she looked up again, her face was still a soft, sunny portrait of tenderness.
Xavier, unable to hold back any longer, gripped her hand with concern in his eyes, "Silly girl, Xavier may be old, but he's not deaf. I know about the nonsense he's been up to."
"Has Diana come back? Why wouldn't you tell me something as important as that?" he said, a hint of disappointment flickered across his eyes.
