ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED TO THE BILLIONAIRE SINGLE DAD (Gabrielle and Damon) novel Chapter 180

GABRIELLE’S POV

I stood in front of Fiorella. “Did you manage to get your son?”

She hesitated briefly, then nodded. “Yes. I have to hide him again, though. I just wanted to apologize for… everything.”

I studied her face for a moment, trying to decide what to say.

“You did what you had to,” I replied finally. “We all did.”

Her lips pressed together. “That doesn’t make it right.”

My gaze dropped to her hands to see they were still twisting together.

I reached out to hold them. “I understand more than anyone how it feels to have no choice. You did what you had to.”

Her hands kept trembling in mine.

I exhaled deeply. “You’ve always been there for me. That’s something I can’t throw away for a situation you couldn’t control.”

“You shouldn’t have to,” she said softly. “Not after what I did.”

“I told you,” I replied, my voice calm. “I understand.”

She shook her head, looking away from me. “No, you don’t. I knew what I was doing and I still did it.”

That stung more than I expected.

I let out a slow breath and tightened my hold on her hands. “Do you think you’re the first person I’ve trusted to hurt me?”

Her eyes snapped back to mine.

“You know my own sister did worse,” I continued. “She didn’t even hesitate and the only reason for her actions was pure hate.”

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

“So yes,” I said, softer now. “I do understand what real betrayal feels like. And yours isn’t that. You were just a mother trying to protect her child.”

Her eyes softened instantly.

“I thought I lost you,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “Not just because of what happened, but because I knew you wouldn’t look at me the same way again.”

I swallowed, feeling something constrict in my chest.

“You’re not wrong,” I said. “I did look at you differently but only because I was angry and hurt.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“All I care about is the reason behind your actions,” I added. “I don’t want to tell Damon about your son, so I’ll keep what happened between us.”

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she didn’t bother to wipe it away.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I owe you a lot for this. If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, please let me know.”

I didn’t respond.

I just pulled her into a warm hug, as I fought back my own tears. Watching her cry made my eyes well up with tears.

When I finally pulled back, Fiorella was wiping her face with the sleeve of her shirt.

“This situation made me realize I don’t know much about you,” I said.

She forced a smile. “I don’t think anything is interesting about me. What would you like to know?”

“Well,” I said, my eyes searching hers, “you could tell me about your marriage. But I know it’s not something you might be eager to talk about so you can take all the time you need.”

Fiorella nodded. “Alright. Anything else?”

I gave it a quick thought.

There was still a question on my mind, but I didn’t know how to ask it without sounding suspicious.

I cleared my throat awkwardly. “You once told me that you and Damon had a… thing.”

“Are you asking if I used to have sex with Damon?” she asked.

My face flushed. “I want you to clarify.”

She let out an amused laugh. “I only said that because Damon asked me to. I refused initially but he was very desperate to make you hate him.”

“So you guys didn’t really…”

“Damon and I were only close friends,” she answered. “He isn’t the father of my son, if that’s what you’re wondering. My late ex-husband is. But Damon means a lot to me, even if we don’t act like it.”

I nodded in understanding.

“That makes sense,” I said quietly. “He doesn’t really show it, but I’ve noticed.”

“You know he’s not good with things like that.”

“I do,” I replied. “But he learning now.”

She nodded, her gaze dropping for a moment before lifting again. “He changed when you came into his life.”

I tilted my head slightly. “In a good way, I hope.”

“In the best way,” she said without hesitation. “I was right about you all along.”

I didn’t respond immediately.

A brief silence passed, but this time it felt calm.

“Thank you,” she said again, softer now.

I gave a small shrug. “Your son will need you by his side right now. The last thing I want is you worrying about us. You don’t have to keep thanking me.”

“I do,” she insisted.

A sigh escaped me. “No, you don’t. Go be with your son. I’ll come see both of you when we move to Italy.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Don’t mess with me right now. You’re really moving?”

A smile formed on my lips.

“Damon feels closer to what’s left of his family there,” I said, unable to hide the excitement in my voice. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

She threw her arms around me excitedly.

“This is great news,” she said, then pulled away. “I can’t wait, Gabby!”

“Me neither,” I responded. “I should get back to Damon now. Call me?”

She nodded but she didn’t move right away.

“I will,” she said. “And Gabby… I won’t forget this. Thank you for keeping my secret.”

“Sure,” I replied. “What are friends for?”

She smiled and gave me one last look before she turned and walked away.

I stood there for a moment, watching her go, before my gaze drifted in the direction Damon had left.

God, I hated emotions.

I hadn’t expressed that enough.

They were messy, and they made things more complicated than they actually were.

“It does,” he said, his expression sincere. “You were my hero. You still are.”

My jaw clenched slightly.

“Don’t,” I muttered, pretending his words didn't have an impact on me. “I did what I had to do. You don’t have to bring it up every time.”

“That doesn’t make it any less important,” he replied.

I shook my head, already stepping back. “It’s done and it’s in the past. Leave it there.”

He studied me for a second, like he wanted to say more, but then he nodded. “Alright.”

A lighter silence settled between us.

“Get your men in order,” I said. “If you’re taking this position, you need to start acting like it. You’ll be regarded as a Gravari henceforth.”

His expression shifted immediately, focus snapping into place. “Noted, brother.”

I held his gaze one last time, making sure he understood the weight of what he had just accepted.

“Don’t make me regret this,” I said.

A faint smirk touched his lips. “I won’t.”

I nodded once, then watched him walk away.

Mother and Alessia were already gone.

Rhys was the only family I had left, besides my wife and kids. Losing him to death was unthinkable.

I hoped he was prepared for this new role.

Gabrielle’s scent hit me before I felt her arms wrap around me from behind. “Hey, husband.”

I turned around to look at her. “My beautiful wife. I still haven’t seen Fiorella.”

“She just left,” she said, looking away for a second. “She’s still shaken and needs some time alone for now.”

I nodded slowly. “In that case, I'd better take my wife home. Then bathe her and cook for her. Do you know she's a terrible cook?”

She laughed, her eyes gleaming. “Damon! I’ll learn, okay?”

“You won’t have to, cara,” I murmured. “I’ll gladly take some time off so I can be your private chef.”

Gabrielle bit her lower lip at that, her voice dropping seductively. “My sexy private chef.”

I lifted her in my arms and walked towards the car. “Your sexy private chef.”

She giggled excitedly, and I smiled in response.

But at the back of my mind, I knew there was one thing left to do.

NOTE: Unfortunately, I have the memory of a goldfish and forgot my new Inst*gr*m login details. :(🥺 I won’t be able to accept requests there for now.

The details are saved in my other device but it’s not with me until the weekend.

Most of my readers are from Faceb**k anyway, so I’ll appreciate it if we just move there. @Author Daniella (Dani S…)

So sorry for the stress💕 :)