Gabrielle woke with a start, drenched in sweat with tears streaking her face.

The events of the previous night slammed right back into her all at once.

A shiver ran through her. The night before replayed like a broken record; she couldn't stop.

Her mouth is dry. New tears ran down her face, still very much shocked. She thought she had no tears left to give. Turns out, she did.

wiping away snort with the back of her hand.

How could Edward do that to her?

She shoved the duvet off herself. Today was a new day, and this was for her daughter.

Even if her father was the devil himself. She was going to make sure Emilia got the financial support she deserved.

Walking to the dressing mirror, she stopped. She simply stood still, staring back at herself.

She hated what stared back.

She hated herself.

Gabrielle, all dressed up, was excited to see her daughter. Walking down the hallway to Emilia's room.

She heard footsteps. The hairs on her neck lifted, as her steps slowed of their own accord.

She sensed his presence. She didn't need to turn around.

He was behind her.

She bolted into Emilia's room before she could make a fool of herself again.

Edward cursed under his breath as he watched her literally run.

Something close to guilt crept up on him. Before he drowned in it, his phone vibrated.

He sighed.

His long, well-manicured hands slid into his pockets for the phone. Quite curious, he checked who would be calling this early- damn, his mother!

He picked up. "Mother," He mouthed.

"Babyy oh my baby. How are you doing, love?" He rolled his eyes. His mother was very... cuddly.

That's the nicest way he could put it, but he loved her.

"I am good. How many times have I told you to stop calling me baby? I'm a grown man," he whined, feeling sixteen again.

Family did that to you.

"Once my baby, always my baby- Oh yes, I was calling to remind you that the board dinner is tonight. Don't disappoint, " she said sternly.

"I never have, now have I?"

"No, baby, you never have." He could hear her smile. It warmed his heart. He scoffed, a smile playing on his lips.

His mother was the only living parent he had, so her approval meant a lot to him. As far back as he could remember, she had his back- Through his father's beatings and unnatural hatred. She was always there.

He thought of his father now. The man would turn in his grave if he found out he was his successor.

And that delighted him.

Served the old fool right.

"... yes, Mother. Alright, see you then ". He ended the call, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

After the call with his mother, he realized he had to eventually speak to Gabrielle. He had planned on avoiding her until he figured out what last night's events were.

He was strict, but what he wasn't was cruel. All he remembered, amidst the heat and passion, was the sudden desire to hurt her- overwhelmed him. And hurt her he did.

He should be elated, but emptiness filled his very being.

He would deal with these feelings later, with some good brandy. Right now, he wanted his daughter at the function, and he had to speak with Gabrielle.

Instinctively, he strode down to Emilia's room. He knew she was still there. She was avoiding him.

In front of Emilia's room, he stopped. His feet suddenly felt heavy.

This was absurd. It was his home. He could enter if it damn well pleased him.

Pushing the door open, his eyes rested on Gabrielle. He saw fear when her eyes met his. Instinctively, she stood, drawing Emilia close. As if a bear entered, not a man.

He knew she probably harbored some resentment towards him. But her reaction affected him more than he would like to admit.

"Good morning, princess, " he greeted his little girl, a smile touched his lips.

waving excitedly." Good morningggg," she sang. Her mother's hands were still wrapped tightly on her little shoulders.

"Gabrielle, "the word pressed hard on him like stone. He shook it off.

Gabrielle simply stared.

The silence gnarling. He continued." My family will be hosting what we like to call TheHarrington board dinner tonight. And you and Emilia will be in attendance. If you need anything -a dinner gown for yourself and Emilia perhaps - Mrs puff will sort it out," he nodded, turning to leave.

"Edward"

It can't be.

He looked up, shocked. Then irritation and annoyance filled his veins.

bloody women. He would have to teach this one a lesson.

Gabrielle stared, eyes wide in shock. Who was she to Edward?

Her eyes moved from the woman's length of jet black hair, down her gorgeous face.

The dress -limited edition couture -hugged her every curve. On her, it was art.

These are the type of women in Edward's life, she thought, looking down at her calloused hands.

She swallowed, her fingers finding a lock of her hair. Playing with it.

She watched breathless as the woman moved with effortless grace. Her chest tightened, as if the air itself had grown scarce.

And her only view of him was of his broad shoulders, straight and imposing, yet calm, as he guided her out, hands settling on her waist.

No longer able to stay still, she stood, hands on her hips. She paced the room, lost in her own world. The image of them raced through her disheveled thoughts.

Her heart raced as multiple conclusions rushed in and out of her mind. Who was she?

She paused. Biting her nails, hands folded across her chest as she paced still.

Why did she care?

"Mummy"- freeing her from thoughts- Emilia's voice, small and hesitant. Her wide eyes looked up, scared.

Gabrielle stopped, walking over to Emilia, her heart lurched. "I'm sorry, love." Her fingers cupped her daughter's face, and she planted a kiss on her cheek.

Mrs. Puff's presence loomed in the far corner of the well-furnished room.

Realizing Emilia's caregiver hadn't left, she turned, instantly meeting Mrs. Puff's gaze, the kindness she met in them unnerving her. She quickly averted her eyes- She hated being pitied.

Anchoring herself, she rose."I would like to take Emilia for a stroll. We haven't been to these sides."Mrs. Puff interrupted. "Emilia is to stay on the property, ma'am. That is Mr Harrington's orders," she said apologetically as she excused herself.

Brows raised- orders? Irritation tainted her expression.

Mrs Puff stood there for a second, sad eyes boring holes through her. She turned to leave.

"I will be back by 4. To dress Miss Emilia."She announced, hands on the door as she slipped out.

She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. It's only been two days, and he has managed to humiliate and belittle her.

She wasn't going to fold that easily.

Later that evening, Mrs. Puff helped her into an Emerald green dress, adorned with fake crystals that sparkle regardless. The sleeves were long, stretching all the way to her wrist. She sensed judgment burning through the caregiver's eyes.

This was her best gown. Deflated, she sulked. She was too exhausted to care; the events of the last two days hovered over her so heavily she felt numb. Mrs Puff will have to deal with it.

She inspected her gown in the mirror; if she was being honest, she wasn't upset with it. The emerald dress hugged her waist as the rest of the gown flowed freely off her hips and legs, stopping at her ankles.

She swirled, finally smiling for the first time that day. Mrs Puff stared at her like she was insane, mad even. That didn't shake her newfound confidence.

Turning to the small figure on the bed," Emilia, you like it," she laughed as she walked over to the bed.

Emilia jumped off the bed, excitedly. "Mummy is so pretty," she chuckled, smiling from ear to ear.

"Thanks, my love," she responded, slightly out of breath.

Pulling her closer, she rested her chin atop her head.

A knock on the slightly ajar door cut through the delicate moment. She turned and froze.

It was Edward.

Clad in a deep gray suit that brought out the color of his eyes, he never looked more handsome. His normally disheveled hair was now sleeked back, every piece in place. Her heart found a new beat as heat rushed to her face.

"It seems you are all ready," he cleared his throat." The party starts by 8. And I need you and Emilia down by 7:30 to meet my family," he said coldly, his eyes roaming her body. She held her breath.

When his gaze swept over her, she saw.... disappointment? She flinched.

He started forward, walking towards Emilia. "Hey, beautiful," bending at the hip, he bopped her nose with his finger.

Emilia hopped from one leg to the other." Good afternoon, Mr Edward," she responded shyly.

"How about you come with me, get out of your mother's hair for a bit," Gabrielle began protesting, but was cut short by Edward's glare.

Hand in hand with Emilia, he walked out, briefly stopping at the door to give her one last look over, disgust written all over his face as if her presence were a stain in his perfectly polished world.

Sweat pooled between her breasts, at the crevice of her armpits, down her neck. Sure, there were a couple of holes- which were properly hidden- but the dress was rather nice.

She turned to see the same dissatisfied Expression on Mrs. Puff's face. Her confidence tanked." I can do my hair myself, you are excused". Mrs. Puff quietly left, and the door gently creaked as she exited.

Now alone, she wanted to vanish, as panic worked its way up her veins.

Her eyes burned hot as tears brimmed, her hands shaking and filled with sweat. His face from early played in her head. She really could not believe a time existed where he loved her.

Quite some time passed with her, an unraveling mess on the most beautiful floor she had ever seen- the irony, she scoffed.

She pulled herself up, rubbing her bloodshot eyes. She was going to get through the night.

With newfound courage, some hairpins, wipes, and perfume. She got ready the best she knew how.

As she stepped out of the room, something tugged at her. And she knew it was going to be a long night.

At the entrance of the hall, Gabrielle took a deep breath and stepped in.

Breathless and in awe, her mouth parted in shock. The walls are a soft blue and gold highlights, with the beautiful centerpiece hanging over them, shining with beautiful crystal lights.

She swirled, taking it all in. The women dress in immaculate gowns, the men in their suits, sharp and important.

As she walked further in, her breathing slowed, as she noticed a pair of eyes followed her, judging, belittling her very being.

Muffled laughter found her ears as she passed by.

"What is she wearing?" she heard someone say, and chuckles from surrounding people followed.

Her head pounded as humiliation hit, her face red as more insulting comments met her ears.

Was the dress that bad?

Wide-eyed, she looked around, her shoulders curling inward.

Maybe if she just- she tried on a smile and waved at a couple. They scoffed, moving away from her, wine in hand, treating her as one would treat dirt.

Her heart sank, her hand trailed slowly up, rolling a lock of her hair. She paused, standing completely still as if that could erase her very existence.

She felt cold glass as the waiter placed a drink in her hands. Startled. She stared at the cup currently nestled between her fingers, her mind numb as she held on to it.

"Mummyyy," it sounded very distant, finding her in her mind's quiet place.

Emilia ran, arms wide, hugging her.

"Mummy... Mummy was very excited, as she bounced around. This snapped her right out of whatever trance she was in.

Her head snapped up, and the room seemed quiet, realizing that every gaze rested on them, shivers flowing down her back. Pulling her daughter closer, shielding her from their scrutiny.

Then her eyes slipped down, Emilia's dress- a flowery pink, embroidered with tiny white flowers- fitted her daughter's tiny frame beautifully.

She pulled back for a better view. "Who gave you this dress, Emilia?" brows raised, confused.

"Mr Edward gave me," she swirled."It's a pink mummy. I am a princess," Emilia's voice filled with joy.

Gabrielle scanned the room, eyes finding Edward. He looked her way almost instantly, meeting the question in her eyes with a simple, cold stare. A challenge perhaps?

The woman from earlier tugged at his arm, breaking their locked gaze. She stared at them, noticed the way he smiled at something she said- jealousy stirred, gnawing at her chest.

A light tap landed on her shoulders, pulling her back to the present. She finally turned, and it was an older woman, maybe in her sixties. Dressed elegantly, her black dress- hugging her soft womanly curves- had a slit which stopped mid thigh, showing her toned legs.

Pearls adorned her neck and ears. She seemed to have aged like fine wine. Her mind flicked to her mother, the same age but bedridden. She sighed.

Shaking off the thoughts that clammed her mind. She flashed the woman a smile. It wasn't returned.

The woman's gaze lingered as if trying to assess what Gabrielle was. Then she finally spoke.

"Are you the child's mother or caregiver?" she asked, her voice bland.

Gabrielle paused for a moment. Then replied, " Yes... I am her mother," her brows knitting in confusion.

"Hmm," was the woman's only response before walking away.

Her anger boiled hot. How can someone be so rude?

Still very shaken up by that interaction, Emilia pulled lightly on her gown." See, Mr Edward, can I go say hi, pleaseeee?" pouting her lips and giving her best puppy eyes.

Gabrielle forced a smile. Her fingers tousled Emilia's hair. "You can go."

As she watched Emilia run to Edward, she noticed he was with the beautiful miss.

Her heart tightened watching her daughter, Edward, and the woman interact. They looked like a real family.

That broke her.

Her daughter blended right in; she was definitely happy for a little girl. But sh-she didn't.

She and her green dress didn't belong.

And Edward's softness towards other women was just what pushed her over the edge. Tears brimming, as sobs threatened to consume her.

A man slid from Edward's back, walked right to her, and his hands planted on her shoulders.

"Miss" was the only word he uttered as he steered her out of the hall- a hall filled with eyes that seemed to dislike her before they even knew her.

She allowed herself to be led, too weak to protest.

"Miss, here, a handkerchief," He said softly, eyes filled with worry and kindness.

She didn't know how long she had cried for, head crouched, shoulder slumped.

He simply stood there, letting her worries fill this small white handkerchief.

When her tears slowed, she looked up at the man who had saved her from further humiliation.

Her eyes widened in recognition. She knew this man.

Blinking rapidly. This was Edward's driver. "Robert," She uttered.

He smiled."Miss, are you better now?" His fingers brushed at her tears, Gentle against her cheek, lingering on her skin-sent ripples down her spine.

Her gaze locked on his, saying nothing.

Then something flickered in his eyes, so intense she turned around.

Standing there, jaw clenched, eyes- cold and dark -was Edward.