The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 282

Today was her birthday.

For the past few days, he had been trying to mend their fractured relationship with constant companionship and thoughtful gifts.

He had even been prepared to compromise just moments ago, fully intending to drink that wine, give her a child, and offer her the stability she wanted to keep her firmly in the role of Mrs. Hayes.

If he left her behind without hesitation at a dinner thrown in honor of her birthday, right in front of her parents, storming off for another woman and leaving her alone to face the wreckage...

It would be far too cruel.

He was terrified of seeing the light in her eyes extinguish completely. He didn't want to face that defensive version of her again, bristling with thorns and shutting him out completely.

He had gone through so much trouble taking her to pick out a gift she truly loved, finally earning a genuine smile from her.

If he abandoned her now, the tiny crack in the ice between them would instantly expand into an uncrossable chasm.

But Giselle...

That was his sister's life on the line.

She was the only family he had left in this world.

He absolutely could not lose her.

He strode over to Nora and grabbed her hand.

"Come with me."

Gideon's voice was low and hoarse.

He couldn't stay, but he refused to leave Nora alone in this place.

Nora was pulled up from her chair. Before she could even process what was happening, Gideon was half-shielding her as he guided her toward the dining room doors.

Mr. and Mrs. Xavier stood off to the side, completely failing to grasp the situation.

Slowly, Gideon raised his head. His bottomless dark eyes swept coldly over the couple standing in his way.

"Move."

Gideon spat the single word, his tone laced with absolute, bone-chilling frost.

Mr. Xavier felt a shiver run down his spine under that icy stare, but he stubbornly clenched his jaw and refused to step aside.

"Gideon, if you don't give us a proper explanation today, you aren't walking out of this..."

Gideon stared at the man's blocking frame, a mocking gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Mom. Dad."

Gideon suddenly switched his form of address, though his tone was even more terrifying than before.

"I am well aware of what you spiked my drink with tonight, and exactly what filthy scheme you were trying to pull off."