Ex-Husband's Regret

Chapter 0474

Like I'd said, I'd forgiven Gabriel, so why was I still holding on to the past? Why was I still comparing him to the man that he was? It is obvious that he has changed, yet my brain still doubted him.

You know the saying 'if he wanted to, he would have?' that is exactly what is happening with Gabriel right now. Back then he didn't want to. He didn't want to love me. He didn't want to care about me. Hell, he simply didn't want me... And because he didn't want me, he didn't treat me like I mattered.

Deep down I do get him though. If my calculations are correct, he married me one and a half year after that girl broke his heart. Knowing Andrew, he must have blackmailed him or something to get Gabriel to marry me.

I didn't think about it when we were married. In fact, I didn't want to think about it because it would shatter my illusion that he had married me because he felt something for me. It was only years later that I'd accepted that Gabriel married me because he had been coerced into it. Not because he wanted to.

I can only imagine what he felt. He had probably not gotten over the betrayal of his ex-girlfriend. He was angry and bitter, and probably thought all women were the same. Then he is forced to marry me. In his head, he probably thought that Andrew and I wanted to use him. To use his family's name to save our company. Just like Ashley had used him.

On top of all that, there was the issue with Rowan at that time. Rumors had it that he wasn't doing all that well after messing up with Ava... And then there was Ava. Ava was probably the other woman who reinforced Gabriel's belief that women were vicious, because she slept with her sister's boyfriend and broke them up because she wanted him to herself.

I'm not justifying what he did. How he treated me is wrong, but I get him. I mean, didn't I do the same? Because of how badly he hurt me, I refused to have anything to do with love. Hell, I got married to a man that loved someone else just so I didn't risk getting hurt again.

We approached our heart breaks differently, but the thing is, the result of that is that we tried stopping it from happening ever again.

I'm shaken from my thoughts when the car comes to a stop. After thanking the driver, I get out and head up.

My mind is still in turmoil about everything, but for some reason the thought of giving Gabriel a chance didn't send me into panic like it usually did. Instead, peace washed over me. I was tired of fighting what I feel for him.

I get to our floor and get out of the elevator. I punch in the code and the door unlocks. After kicking off my shoes, I walk further inside with the shopping bags.

"Hi Sharon," I greet our Nanny who was in the kitchen having some snacks.

"Hi Harper."

Even though I tell her that she didn't need to, she gets up and helps me with the shopping bags.

After setting everything where it's supposed to be, I walk to Lilly's room where I heard giggling.

"I'm back Lilly," I say after opening the door to my room.

Her head pops up from underneath the bed, she rushes to me and gives me hug.

"You're finally back. I've been dying for you to come back so you can meet Sierra!" she is literally bouncing with excitement. "Sierra! Come out and meet my mom"

There is some shuffling, and then a beautiful blonde girl dashes out from under the bed before stopping next to Us.

"Hi! I'm Sierra!" she greets cheerfully, her eyes shining and radiating.

"H-Hi Sierra. It's nice to meet you."NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Before I can stop her, she wraps her hands around me and gives me a hug. I can now understand why Lilly is

smitten with her. Sierra is a really warm girl.

"It's nice meeting you too!" She all but yells. "Lilly talks about you all the time."

I nod and smile, while gently patting her back. After she steps back, I address both of them.

"Do you two need anything?"

"No," the chorus at the same time. It was honestly a bit freaky.

"Okay then, I'll call you when dinner is ready," I say before turning to Lilly. "Where is your dad?"

*He was in his office, but I think he went to take a nap after Sharon arrived," she answers.

*Okay, let me know if you need anything."

"I will."

"My eyes flash to Sierra one more time. There was something about her. I just couldn't put my finger on it. Shaking my head, at that weird feeling, I leave and close the door behind me.

Walking down the hallway, I head towards Gabriel's bedroom. I don't know if he's awake, but I am hoping so. When I get to his door, I gently knock.