Chapter 97
"Ouch!" He stayed put, not dodging as her kick landed, wincing exaggeratedly, "Babe, that hurts!"
Teresa, seeing the man clad only in his boxers, grew even more infuriated at him. She kicked out with both feet, one after the other.
"Agh, honey, I'm done for!" In a quick move, Gabriel caught her feet, his dark eyes shimmering pitifully, "If I'm hurt, what about the rest of your happy life, huh?"
"Gabriel!" Teresa was both angry and desperate, "I want a divorce!"
"Babe..."
"Get out, just get out!" Teresa yelled, beside herself with rage.
His audacity to sleep with her without consent, wasn't it akin to rape?
"Okay, okay, I'm going!" Seeing she was seriously livid, Gabriel immediately relented, "Don't be upset, I'm leaving right now."
"Hurry up!" Teresa kicked him again.
"Yeow!" Gabriel sat up on the bed, still playing the sympathy card, "Babe, I'm really going to be disabled here!"
"Are you leaving or not? If you don't leave, I will!" Glaring daggers at him, Teresa's eyes were red with fury.
After she finished speaking, she turned to get out of bed from the other side.
"Okay, okay, I'm going! I'm going now," Gabriel quickly caught hold of her, and then, in a total act of surrender, he climbed out of the bed and made his way toward the door.
"Your clothes are in the walk-in closet. I'll come back after you've changed," Gabriel paused at the door to inform her.
"Just go!" Teresa was still fuming, yelling at him to leave.
"Alright, I'm on my way," Gabriel obediently replied, pulling the door open and stepping out.
As soon as he left, Teresa hopped off the bed, marched to the door, and with a resounding click, locked it behind him.
After all, they were husband and wife, and whatever happened between them was to be expected. But last night, just like that night over three years ago, Gabriel had shared her bed without her knowledge, which made her uneasy.
She might not be as resistant to Gabriel's proximity now, yet the thought of that night three years ago still aroused fears she couldn't shake off.
Locking the door and taking a deep breath, Teresa headed for the bathroom.
Even though she hadn't taken off her makeup, it was still flawless when she stood in front of the vanity mirror. Wearing a spaghetti-strap nightgown, she felt no pain and saw no signs of inappropriate markings on her skin. At that moment, Teresa understood that even though she and Gabriel had shared a bed the previous night, he hadn't taken advantage of her.
He must have done nothing more than hold her in his sleep.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have slept so soundly and awoken without a single sensation.
Facing the mirror, Teresa let out a deep sigh, turning to look at the counter where a complete set of toiletries awaited her, makeup remover and cotton pads included.
The guy was pretty thoughtful after all!
She couldn't help but smile slightly, her lips curling at the corners as she began to remove her makeup.
Outside the bedroom, Gabriel had stepped out but lingered close by, pressing his ear against the door, listening for any sound.
But after a long while, he heard nothing.
"Daddy!"
Suddenly, a sweet and tender voice called out from not too far away. Gabriel looked up and saw little Croissant and Mason approaching, hand in hand, an endearing duo.
"Hey, buddy, come here!" Gabriel couldn't help but smile, beckoning the little one with his finger.
Giggling with joy, the child let go of Mason's hand and ran toward him with his little legs spread wide.
As soon as he reached him, Gabriel scooped him up and smothered him with kisses.
"Heehee... Daddy's in the buff, shameless," the little tyke chimed in, planting a kiss on him before teasing him.
"What's going on? Did Teresa kick you out?" Mason chuckled heartily, sauntering over to where he stood in nothing but his underwear at the door, "Looks like finally there’s someone who knows how to handle you little rascal!"
Gabriel shot a glance at the little one in his arms, then back at Mason, speechless.
"Ease up, kiddo!" Mason let out a joyful snicker. "The best stews are simmered low and slow. You gotta let the flavors develop. Don't you get it?"
Gabriel eyed him skeptically, "Did you play the long game with Grandma too?"
"That's different! Your grandma and I were love at first sight, head over heels for each other," Mason retorted, playfully thwacking him with his cane, not too hard, though Gabriel didn't avoid, just smirked in disbelief.
"Daddy, I want Mommy. Let's go find her together," the little one whined, wrapping his arms tightly around Gabriel's neck.
It had been a full day and night since he'd last seen Teresa.
"I'm heading downstairs. Hurry up and tell Teresa to come down for breakfast," Mason said, leaving them to themselves as he made his way downstairs.
"Mommy's in her room. Go knock and call for her," Gabriel encouraged the little one.
"Daddy, you're not fooling me, are you?" The tiny tyke covered his mouth in wonder.
Gabriel smiled, "Knock and see."
With a determined nod, the little one pounded his chubby palms against the solid wooden door, crying out, "Mommy, open up! I miss you! Mommy!"
Inside, Teresa, having removed her makeup, was midway through brushing her teeth when she vaguely heard the little one's voice and immediately rushed to open the door.
"Mommy, Mommy!" At the door's opening, the little one flung himself into her embrace, hugging her neck tight. "Good morning, Mommy! I miss you so much!"
Teresa gave him a huge kiss on the cheek and laughed, not giving a damn about the toothpaste all over her mouth. "Mommy misses you too, baby," she said. Did you behave well last night, boy?
"I was good. I read with Victoria, then waited for Mommy," the little one replied crisply, his bright eyes shining like stars.
