ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED TO THE BILLIONAIRE SINGLE DAD (Gabrielle and Damon) novel Chapter 83

CHAPTER EIGHTY THREE

GABRIELLE’S POV

They didn’t stop walking until the music dulled and the laughter became distant, swallowed by a narrow corridor lined with framed photos of people.

We entered a well–lit room and Cassie released my arm first.

Naomi didn’t.

“Do you have any idea how bad that made you look?” Naomi hissed, finally letting go. “Refusing to apologize in the middle of a family event?”

Cassie crossed her arms. “Why would you even hurt Lila? She’s a sweet little girl.”

I sighed, tired of using the same line in one night. “I didn’t hurt her, she fell on her own. How many times do I have to say it before anyone believes me?”

They exchanged glances.

“That’s not what Anya said,” Naomi said.

Cassie shifted on her feet, folding her arms across her chest. “And that’s not Lila said either.”

My chest tightened. “Lila is six,” I said slowly. “She repeats what she hears. That doesn’t make her a liar, it makes her a child. Anya on the other hand isn’t a child.”

Naomi scoffed. “So now you’re saying Anya coached her?”

“I’m saying someone planted a bad idea about me in her mind,” I replied, my voice calm even as my pulse raced. “And it sure as hell wasn’t me. Lila was acting rude to me the whole time and even went as far as setting me up.”

They exchanged glances again, this time, their brows raised in disbelief.

“I spent more time with Lila than I did with her father during the entire course of my marriage,” Cassie said. “She’s a sweet little girl and nothing like what you just said.”

“It’s fine if you’re not going to believe me,” I said, exhausted by the thought of explaining myself even further. “But don’t force me into conversations when you’ve obviously made up your mind.”

I turned to walk out but Cassie’s voice stopped me.

“We’re sorry if we sounded rude,” she said, causing me to face them again. “You can see why we had concerns. Her wrist was broken during the holidays.”

Naomi nodded. “We’re not trying to antagonize you. We’re just worried about her. Are you sure there’s not something going on between you and Anya?”

I paused, the edge in my chest easing just a fraction.

“I don’t know,” I said quietly. “I’ve been getting a weird vibe from her lately. Do you guys think she still has feelings for Damon?”

They exchanged glances again.

That was the third time and it was getting on my nerves.

They burst into a fit of laughter.

Naomi laughed, clutching her stomach. “You think Anya wants your man? Girl, please.”

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“I see the problem now,” Cassie added, still laughing. “It’s all a misunderstanding. Anya is the last person to want Damon.”

Naomi nodded. “Yeah, she’s right. You should be more worried about Cassie here.”

That earned a frown from her but she didn’t argue.

I felt my face flushed. “I felt the same way too but when I confronted her there was this vibe. Like she was being territorial or something.”

“She was being territorial or you were?“Naomi asked.

Her words made me pause for a minute to reflect. “I don’t know,” I admitted after a moment. “Maybe both.”

Cassie’s smile softened, the teasing draining out of her expression. “That’s more honest than most people would be.”

“But he is my husband,” I added. “So I have every right to be territorial. What is she being that way for?”

Naomi shook her head. “Anya was never like that with me, and I was his second wife. Maybe you’re overthinking things.”

Her words were meant to soothe me, but they did the opposite.

I swallowed. “Or maybe she didn’t need to be territorial with you.”

Cassie’s brows knit together. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” I said carefully, “that whatever this is… maybe it started with me.”

Naomi let out a small breath, rubbing her temple. “Look, Gabrielle. Anya and Damon have history. A long one. But feelings?” She shook her head again. “No. If anything, she’s protective of Lila. That’s it.”

“Then why does it feel like I’m constantly stepping on a landmine?” I asked quietly.

Neither of them answered right away.

Cassie studied me. “Gabby, do you have feelings for Damon?”

The room seemed to shrink around the question.

I opened my mouth to respond immediately–out of reflex or pride—but nothing came out. My throat tightened, the answer catching somewhere between denial and truth.

Naomi noticed and her smile faded. “Oh my goodness, she has feelings for him. After all our advices you still somehow managed to sign your emotional death certificate?”

Cassie’s jaw dropped. “Maybe we’re misunderstanding her. We are, right? You don’t have feelings for Damon?”

I turned to her, my face burning hot. “I–I don’t. I know better,” I said with an awkward laugh.

Naomi sighed. “Phew. I was almost scared for you. I thought you didn’t learn anything from Cassie.”

Cassie gave her an eye roll.

I managed a polite smile. “I should join the party. It was nice talking to both of you.”

Cassie didn’t look convinced, but she stepped aside anyway. “Alright,” she said slowly. “Go enjoy the night. We’ll see you around.”

Naomi waved a dismissive hand. “Yes, go before someone else corners you. We’ll talk to Anya so things can go back to normal between you two.”

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