ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED TO THE BILLIONAIRE SINGLE DAD (Gabrielle and Damon) novel Chapter 82

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CHAPTER FORTY WO

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CHAPTER EIGHTY TWO

GABRIELLE’S POV

Selene took a step further into the room, holding her hands together behind her back. “That was hard to watch.”

She was referring to my fight with Anya but I ignored her comment.

“There’s nothing for us to chat about,” I responded calmly.

A sharp contrast to how I felt inside.

Her smile remained polite. “Of course, there is. I’m certain Damon must have told you who I am but nobody told me about you.”

I held her gaze. “I didn’t realize introductions were mandatory.”

“They aren’t,” she said easily. “I just like to know who’s important to the people I care about.”

That landed softly, but it landed.

She was admitting to still caring about Damon and thinks I’m important to him.

Was I?

I met her gaze in the mirror as I turned to use my mascara. “Then now you do.”

She hummed, stepping closer to the sink but leaving space between us. “I suppose I do. You look… different from what I imagined.”

I lifted a brow. “And what did you imagine?”

She smiled again, slower this time. “Someone older and… more mature.”

I wasn’t sure if that was bait but I didn’t take it. “You caught us at a bad moment this morning. If that’s what this is about-

“Oh, no,” she interrupted gently. “I wasn’t offended.”

She reached for a paper towel, dabbing her hands as though they weren’t dry already. “Just surprised.”

I observed her reflection. “Surprised by what?”

”

“By how into it he looked. I guess I never believed he was really interested in you,” she said. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen that. It made me realize how much I missed him and our time together.”

I felt my stomach twist uncomfortably.

“But don’t worry,” she added lightly. “I’m not here to make things awkward.”

Her smile sharpened just a fraction.

“I just wanted to get to know you.”

My throat felt dry all of a sudden.

I turned to face her. “I’m sorry to disappoint you but the feeling isn’t mutual. You seem like a nice lady but given your history and who you’re close to, I don’t see us being friends.”

Selene’s brows lifted slightly, as if amused rather than offended.

“That’s understandable,” she said smoothly. “Friendship isn’t something everyone is cut out for. Especially under… complicated circumstances.”

She set the paper towel down and adjusted the bracelet on her wrist.

CHAPTER BONITE TWO

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“And I appreciate you being upfront. It saves time because I don’t want to be your friend either. But I want you to answer a question for me.”

That familiar twist tightened in my stomach again. “What question?”

“Why did you marry him? Did you do it for money?”

I froze.

She continued, ignoring my reaction. “Beatrice and I found out you’re one of the Vanderbilt heiresses. You’re the one who released her twin’s sex tape at your wedding.”

That would explain why Beatrice was suddenly nice to me. She found out my family came from old money and like the classist she was, she was impressed.

Something tugged at my chest at the mention of my family and my status but I wasn’t sure I recognized that Gabrielle.

I wasn’t sure I was her anymore.

My jaw tightened. “Even if everyone else made baseless assumptions, I had expected better from you.”

Her nostrils flared slightly. “That’s the only reason that makes sense considering your father disowned you and took your inheritance. It’s fine if you didn’t want to be poor after being spoiled your whole life.”

Any other time, I’d have been nicer but I’d had enough of everyone making these vile assumptions about me.

“If you already know me so well then why are you here trying to get to know me?” I asked, keeping my makeup in my purse.

I expected her to deflect but instead, she exhaled. “I’m only trying to know what’s going on behind closed doors.”

“You found out this morning,” I said before I could stop myself.

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