Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2054

As dawn approached, Sylvia made her way to the bathroom for a shower. When she emerged, she slipped back into her torn clothes with the grace and poise of someone donning the most exquisite gown for a grand ball.

Gabriel leaned against the headboard, watching her with a detached gaze. "Did you come up with the name Sylvia yourself?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied with a light smile, glancing back at him. "Do you like it?"

Gabriel's eyes darkened, and without another word, he closed them slowly.

Once she was ready, Sylvia turned to look at the pale morning light and murmured, "I'll leave as soon as it gets light. My life was bought by you, and I've served you for many years. After this job and last night's events, I consider my debt to you paid. We're even now. I won't come to see you again."

Gabriel's half-closed eyes opened slightly to study her profile. His voice, raspy and deep, broke the silence. "I told you this when you left the organization. Go find a man you like, live a good life."

Sylvia's lashes fluttered as she turned to him with a smile. "I will, and you take care too."

"Uh-huh," he replied, closing his eyes again, his stern face growing more angular in the dim light.

Sylvia knew there were no feelings between them; their relationship had always been one of mutual use.

No, 'use' wasn't quite the right word. Her life had been bought by him; anything he asked of her was his right. And the little schemes she played on him were always within his control.

He simply didn't bother to call her out on them.

She had no choice; back then, if she hadn't sleep with him, she would become nothing more than an object of beauty.

She just wanted to make a small effort for a life where she couldn't make her own choices.

In her heart, she was grateful for his mercy.

Sylvia left, and the door closed softly behind her. The sun had yet to rise, and the room was plunged into darkness and silence. Gabriel, looking at the dim and quiet space, suddenly found himself wide awake.

As the day brightened, Jonathan woke Estelle and carefully tended to her wounds.

Estelle lay on the bed, checking her phone. She saw a message from Sylvia: [Estelle, something came up and I had to leave. Till we meet again.]

Estelle turned to Jonathan. "Sylvia left!"

"Yeah, she came for Gab. Now that he's safe, it's time for her to move on," Jonathan said, his gaze softening as he gently applied medication to her back wound before starting to bandage it.

Estelle flinched, and he immediately looked up. "Did that hurt?"