Chapter 9 Confusions
Gabriel’s Pov
I stared at my phone in confusion.}
What just happened?
The call with Faye had ended so suddenly. I tried calling her back. Nothing. I checked my screen.!!
Blocked
She blocked me.
I sat on the edge of the bed, still holding my phone.
I had left her so many messages and voicemails before, but this time–this time I didn’t expect her to pick up.¦
When the call went through, my heart almost stopped
But she didn’t sound like herself. She used to get angry with me, yes. But never like that. Never so cold. So bold. So heartless. “Who the hell does she think she is?” I muttered to myself
I stood up and throw the bedside lamp against the wall
It shattered with a loud crash, but it didn’t make me feel any better
“She must’ve run off with another man,” I hissed.
That was the only thing that made sense. That’s why she sounded so different. So full of herself.
“She’ll be back” I said under my breath. “When he dumps her, she’ll come crawling.”
But even as I said it, something twisted in my gut!
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept tossing and turning
The sheets felt too hot, the room too quiEL:
My eyes stayed open the whole time
By morning. I looked like hell
I dragged myself to the shower, let the water run over me for a long time.X
I still felt heavy. I stared at myself in the mirror. My eyes were red, and there were dark circles under them.
I did my best to cover them up, but I still looked like someone who hadn’t slept in days.
When I came out, the kids were already at the table eating cemal
“Dad, are you sick? lan asked, chewing loudly.}
“You look like a zombie, Ace said, frowning
I forced a smile. “Didn’t sleep well.”
Lily turned from the kitchen counter and looked at me. Her eyes were full of concern.&
“What’s wrong, Gabriel?“)
I sighed and sat down. “I spoke to Faye last night.”
“You did?” she asked, surprised.”
I nodded. “She picked up. For a second, I thought… I thought maybe she wanted to talk. But she didn’t. She was cold. She blocked me right after.”
Lily walked over and sat beside me. She reached for my hand. “At least she’s alive,” she said softly. “And it sounds like she’s okay.”
“She didn’t sound okay,” I muttered. “She sounded like someone else”
“Maybe she’s still angry,” Lily said gently. “It’s normal. We hurt her.”
“She’s never spoken to me like that before. Not even when we fought.”
“She’s healing. Maybe she needs more time.”
I looked at Lily, trying to read her “You’re not.. upset? That I tried to talk to her?”
Lily smiled. “Of course not. You have history with her. She’s the mother of your children. I understand.”
I chuckled bitterly. “If it were Faye, she would’ve torn the whole house down if I even mentioned another woman.”
“She’s fiery,” Lily said, laughing softly. “But she’s a good woman.”
I looked down at our hands, “I’m lucky to have you,
She squeezed my fingers. “I’m the lucky one.”
“I just wish she wasn’t being so unreasonable.“%
“She’ll come around,” Lily said. “If you want, I can try talking to her”
“You’d do that?”
“Of course. Maybe she’ll listen to me”
“Thank you,” I said “Really”
The boys finished their breakfast and grabbed their bags
812 AM c ·
“Where’s Grandma Stella?” lan asked….
“She left,” I said
“Left? Why?” Ace frowned.
“She went back home. She won’t be living with us anymore.“%
“Why not?” they both asked.!
I stood up and picked up my keys. “Come on, let’s get going. I’ll tell you later:“2
I dropped the boys off at school, then drove straight to the office. My head was pounding. My body felt drained.
As soon as I walked in, my secretary stood up.!!
“Good morning, sir. You have a meeting with the shareholders in an hour.”
“Thanks,” I said.
I walked into my office, shut the door and sat down, I stared at the phone again.
I wanted to try calling Faye one more time, even though I knew it wouldn’t go through.
I dialed. Nothing…
Blocked.
I slammed the phone on the table.
Then it rang..
I picked up quickly. “Faye?”
“No, it’s me,” the voice said. “The man you called last night.”
It was the private investigator.
I straightened up. “What do you have for me?”
A pause.
“I can’t find her,” he said ?
My fingers clenched around the phone. “What do you mean, you can’t find her?”
“She’s gone,” he said simply. “No traces. No hotel check–ins. No bank activity. No phone pings.” “You said you’re the best,” I snapped X
“I am. Which is why I’m telling you this–she doesn’t want to be found. She planned this.“2
I stayed silent.
“She disappeared on purpose, Gabriel,”
I hung up without saying a word
My chest felt tight again
Faye blocked me. Vanished. And made sure even a professional couldn’t trace her!
She didn’t want to be found.
What was she up to?