Chapter 22 Not my choice
Gabriel made a beeline for the Garcia estate after the fiasco at Teresa Pavilion. His parents, Raymond and Katherine, had forgone dinner, anxiety etched on their faces as they awaited his return.
He arrived reeking of the night's misadventures, which didn't escape Katherine's sharp senses. "Gabriel, what on earth happened to you?"
"I've been with Unity. If she's pregnant, it's your problem not mine," Gabriel interrupted, his tone was dismissive and cold.
Raymond's temper flared. "You think you can just walk away from an engagement with the Lins?"
"What do you expect me to say?" Gabriel countered, unfazed by the stench clinging to him or the tension in the room.
"Who else have you been with?" Raymond pressed, dreading the thought of more unexpected complications.
"I can't remember," Gabriel replied nonchalantly, turning towards the stairs.
"Stop!" Raymond demanded.
Gabriel paused, his back to them. "I'll show up for the wedding to fulfill Grandpa's wish, regardless of the bride." He continued upstairs after saying those words, and left a heavy silence behind.
Katherine, sensing Raymond's mounting fury, calmed him with a gentle touch. "The engagement to the Lins isn't public yet. And if Unity is carrying the next Garcia, it could be good news for Dad's health."
Katherine persisted, "Gabriel is serious about Unity. He wouldn't acknowledge the child otherwise. Remember the dinner with his friends including Liam? A marriage with love is better than without."
The Lin and Garcia families were titans of industry, their union a strategic alliance. Katherine knew the Lin daughter was headstrong and unyielding, unlike the compliant Unity who seemed a better fit.
Raymond considered her words without saying anything. Standing, he instructed the butler, "We'll have dinner now."
"Please call Gabriel down," Katherine added, following Raymond to the dining room.
"As you wish, Madam."
The next day at the Bennett residence, Teresa was nearly finished packing when she noticed a paper bag on the couch, containing Gabriel's freshly cleaned suit jacket.
She was leaving town soon and had no desire to face Gabriel again.
"Brother, can you help me with something?" she asked William, who smiled and ruffled her hair.
"What's up?"
She handed him the bag. "Could you return this to Gabriel from Jin Jian and Rui Da?"
"Why don’t you ask Liam? He's close with Gabriel," William inquired.
Teresa faltered, didn’t want to admit her breakup with Liam just yet. "We...," she began, then simply nodded.
William, who was ever supportive encouraged her. "Liam seemed serious about you. Mom and Dad like him. Why don’t you give it another shot?"
"Okay, I'll think about it," Teresa said, her response lacking conviction as she retreated to her room with the bag.
After a moment of reflection, she resolved to take the jacket with her, leaving the entangled matters behind.
