Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2591

She hugged her knees, burying her face in the crook of her arms. In the darkness, a faint sliver of light spilled in from the window, washing over her, but it did nothing to chase away the shadows inside her.

*

Gabriel slid out his last cigarette and placed it between his lips. The cold night air swept in, heavy with dampness, and the once-bright moon was slowly swallowed by gathering clouds.

A storm was coming.

A moment later, footsteps sounded behind him.

His gaze flickered. He crushed out the cigarette, then kicked the half-open window wider.

Jonathan and Estelle approached, settling on either side of him.

Gabriel glanced at the two flanking him, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. "What's this? The two of you sitting here like a pair of stone lions guarding the door."

Estelle said, "I only found out you were back after I called Grandpa. I had to check two different places before I tracked you down."

Gabriel replied, "I got into the city pretty late. Planned to tell you tomorrow."

Estelle paused, her tone softening. "Don't blame Sylvia. After you left last time, she was really upset."

"I know." Gabriel nodded. "I don’t blame her. It’s my fault for coming back so late."

Estelle continued, "Sylvia doesn’t resent you. She didn’t move on out of spite. She just couldn’t go on like this anymore."

Gabriel nodded slowly. "I know. That’s what I told her—to find someone she truly likes, settle down, get married, live an ordinary life."

Estelle shook her head slightly. "I don’t think she ever wanted an ordinary life. If she could be with you—even with all the risks and uncertainty—she’d choose that in a heartbeat."

"But since she can’t be with you, and she can’t control how she feels, she’s left with nothing but heartbreak over and over again. So in the end, this is the only way she can force herself to move on."

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "If you think about it, you make sense. But do you really expect my brother to walk Sylvia down the aisle and hand her over to Eugene?"

Jonathan’s mouth curled into a sly smile. "That only happens if Gabriel agrees, doesn’t it?"

Gabriel snorted. "I’m not that noble."

Jonathan grinned. "Exactly."

Gabriel eyed him. "Speaking from experience, are you?"

"Something like that," Jonathan replied, lips pressed in a thin line. "Losing someone isn’t the scary part. Figuring out how to get them back—that’s what you really need to worry about."

Estelle tilted her head, looking at him. "You’re awfully philosophical tonight, Mr. Lamont."

"Not philosophy," Jonathan said, his eyes darkening as he looked at Estelle. "It’s firsthand experience. Handing over the person you love to someone else? That’s like handing your weapon to the enemy and letting him finish you off. No way in hell that’s happening."