ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED TO THE BILLIONAIRE SINGLE DAD (Gabrielle and Damon) novel Chapter 61

CHAPTER SIXTY ONE

GABRIELLE’S POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror the next morning.

My under eyes were a little bit swollen but aside from that, I looked perfect. Not glamorous or anything like that. I just looked normal.

I made a promise not to dwell on what happened last night but I won’t forget it. I won’t forget how cold and nonchalant he sounded.

I’d remember it every time I see him.

Hopefully.

When I went downstairs, Susan was already finishing up with her cleaning. I poured myself a cup of coffee, trying to ignore the tight knot in my chest.

Last night replayed in my mind in tiny, jagged pieces–his lips, his hands on my skin, and the way his voice had been so cold.

I couldn’t make sense of it, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

Susan glanced up from the counter. “Good morning, Mrs. Gravari. Did you sleep well?”

I forced a small smile. “As well as I could.”

She smiled. “I’m happy you did because in a few minutes, Lila will be here. She has a lot of energy, that one,” she chuckled lightly.

Oh.

Shit.

I had forgotten all about her. Again.

I set my coffee down and nodded, already feeling the weight of the day ahead. “Sounds like I’d better brace myself.”

Susan laughed softly. “You’ve got the patience for her, I’m sure. She adores you.”

I wished that were true.

Before she went to her mother’s we weren’t exactly on good terms. If I remember correctly, which I did, she said I was trying to tear her family apart.

I sighed. “Seems like I did something to hurt her. We weren’t on good terms before she left.”

“Oh?” Susan tilted her head, her expression gentle. “Kids don’t hold grudges the way adults do. Give her a little time, and I’m sure she’ll warm up to you again.”

I rubbed my temple, trying to imagine Lila bounding through the door with her endless energy.

“I hope so. I don’t want to start on the wrong foot again.”

“I know so,” Susan said, disinfecting the sink now. “She’s a sweet girl and nothing like her father. Speaking of which, he left for New York early this morning.”

My chest tightened painfully as I froze, the cup in my hands suddenly feeling heavy.

Damon left the city without even telling me. Was that how much I repulsed him? Or was that how much he wanted to be with the person he was seeing?

1/4

CHAPTER SIXTY UNE

+25 Bonus

Why the fuck did he even marry me then?

I should have felt relief–he wasn’t here, and I could breathe–but instead, there was a hollow ache twisting in my chest.

And as if the universe was mocking me, voices floated into the kitchen from the living room.

I dropped the cup of coffee and went to check. It was Anya and Lila.

“Oh my goodness, Gabrielle,” Anya chirped, a bright smile on her face and her hair in a tight bun. “You look like you haven’t slept in days. But I look good, don’t I?”

She turned around, her soft blue skirt swirling. She had on a matching shirt and very heavy makeup.

But I didn’t pay her any attention.

I was staring at Lila.

She took one look at me and turned to her Mum. “Can I go to my room now, Mummy?”

Anya patted her head. “Go on. George will bring your bags and toys upstairs.”

Lila smiled, hugging her mother. Then she walked past me like I wasn’t even there and went to the stairs.

“Anyways,” Anya continued chirping. “I have somewhere to be right now so I can’t stay and chat even though I would love to.”

I turned to face her. “What did you tell Lila about me?”

Her smile faded slowly, a look I couldn’t describe flashing in her eyes. “What do you mean?”

I sighed, exhausted. “Cut the bullshit act, Anya. We both know what I’m talking about.”

Anya blinked, her smile faltering. “Gabrielle… I—”

I shook my head, cutting her off. “No. Don’t. I want the truth. What did you tell her about me while I was gone?”

Her hands fidgeted at her sides. “I… I didn’t say anything bad. I just—”

“Just what?” I pressed, my voice low but harsh. “I was gone for one night and all of a sudden she hates me? She’s a child, Anya. She listens to everything adults say. I need to know what she thinks of me, what you made her think of me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you drunk, Gabrielle? What reason would I have to make Lila hate you?”

“You tell me.”

Her eyes darted away, and I could see the guilt creeping across her face. “She was curious as to why I wasn’t spending time with her and Damon as much as I used to. I… may have mentioned that he’s married to you now so I can’t spend more time with

them.”

“That was a fucking lie,” I returned, my voice hardening. “She’s had four step–mothers before me and she’s old enough to understand you’re no longer with her father. Tell me the truth, Anya. The one that involved you crying.”

Surprise flashed in her face. “Are you insinuating that I manipulated my child?”

“Yes,” I answered simply.

“Oh, I see,” she smiled softly. “You’ve got Damon and you want to be the mother of his child too? Well, news flash. You’re not.”

I blinked, my patience snapping. “What the hell, Anya? Is that what you think this is about?”

Her soft smile didn’t waver, but her eyes hardened. “You’re married to him. You get the perks. I just… wanted to make sure my daughter wasn’t confused.”

CHAPTER SIXTY ONE

+25 Bonus

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Confused about what? She knows I’m not her mother, obviously. So what could she be confused about?”

Her shoulders stiffened. “I don’t have time for this. All I’m saying is you shouldn’t accuse me of something I didn’t do Lila doesn’t like you and it’s not my fault. By the way, you already got her dad. Stop being so selfish.”

Suddenly, the realization dawned on me.

“Are you in love with Damon?” I asked.

Her jaw tightened so fast it was almost funny. Her eyes flicked away for half a second, barely, but it was enough.

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