"Ella?" A deep crease formed between Alexander's brows. "What's wrong?"

Not wanting to expose herself, Gabriela answered at once, "I didn't want the serum from the mask dripping onto you."

Alexander had always been particular about cleanliness, especially when it came to anything sticky or unpleasant.

Just as she expected, he instinctively moved back and kept a gap between them.

Even so, doubt lingered, and he continued, "After you left, I remembered there was a problem with one of your projects. I had someone look for you, but you weren't around. Did you head home early?"

His eyes stayed on her, watching closely for any change in her expression.

Sensing what he was trying to confirm, Gabriela stayed calm and scrolled through her phone. "I was exhausted from the trip. I only wanted to come home and get some rest."

From the corner of her vision, she noticed the tension leave him, and she almost found his reaction amusing.

They exchanged a few casual words, and once she removed her mask and washed her face, he moved behind her and pulled her into his arms.

"Ella, we're already married," he said softly as his lips brushed against her neck, his touch light.

A wave of disgust rose in her, and she shoved him away. Seeing his puzzled and slightly annoyed look, she quickly came up with an excuse. "It's my period... I don't feel well."

Without waiting for him to respond, she picked up her pillow and blanket and walked toward the guest room.

"What is it? Are you..."

Alexander had just begun to frown and open his mouth to question her when his phone suddenly rang, interrupting him.

The caller's name "Babe" lit up on the screen, and Gabriela's eyes locked onto it as she waited for his reaction.

As expected, he didn't hesitate. Even with her watching, he answered right away.

He lowered the volume and stepped out, while a trace of mockery surfaced in Gabriela's gaze.

Standing by the doorway, she watched him in the hall as his expression softened into something gentle.

She recognized that look. It was the same one he used when he pursued her, though it had disappeared after their marriage.

A soft, teasing voice came through the phone. "I miss you. Can you come stay with me?"

Alexander glanced toward the guest room with hesitation, but he still agreed in the end.

When he returned after the call, Gabriela had already lain down, pretending to be asleep.

He tightened his lips, then turned around and left in silence.

As soon as the door closed, she sat up. Looking out the window, she caught the light flashing from the garage.

Moments later, Alexander sped off in his newest car, disappearing in an instant.

With his taillights fading into the distance, Gabriela began packing her belongings.

Inside the walk-in closet, she looked over the luxury pieces Alexander had given her, from their early relationship to their married life.

One by one, she took photos and sent them to a secondhand luxury dealer. The quoted amount was enough to secure a small apartment downtown.

She couldn't deny it. No matter how despicable he was, Alexander had been quite generous while they were dating.

With that money, she wouldn't struggle even after the divorce.

After finishing her packing, Gabriela called her best friend, Lindsay Reynolds.

"Are you free tonight? I'll take you out to The Ritz."

Lindsay checked the number again, disbelief filling her voice. "Wait, you? The perfect wife asking me out for drinks? Is this actually you, or did someone grab your phone to mess with me? Or is this some kind of scam?"

Unfazed by Lindsay's reaction, Gabriela spoke evenly. "Are you coming or not?"

"Of course I am!" Lindsay answered right away. "Ever since you got together with Alexander, you've been impossible to find. It's been ages since we spent time together."

Lindsay's words stirred something in Gabriela, a quiet mix of feelings she couldn't ignore.

For Alexander, she had let go of so many things.

Gabriela had just reached the entrance of The Ritz when Lindsay rushed over and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"You're paying tonight, right? Then I'll eat and drink as much as I want tonight."

The familiar warmth of that embrace brought back memories of their school days, when everything felt simple and carefree.

A small smile appeared as Gabriela hugged her back.

"Hey, what's going on with you?" Lindsay asked, picking up on her mood.

Gabriela avoided answering, brushing it off, but everything shifted the moment Lindsay noticed someone nearby.

In the distance, Alexander stood with his arm around a young woman who looked barely past her twenties.

"Ella, that's Alexander, right? I'm not imagining things?"

Lindsay blinked in disbelief, wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her.

Following where Lindsay pointed, Gabriela's eyes settled on her husband.

A faint, bitter smile touched her lips.

There was no need for Lindsay to ask further. The look on Gabriela's face already gave her the answer.

Anger surged through Lindsay, and her hands curled into fists. "They're really shameless! If I don't make them pay tonight, I'll regret it!"

As Lindsay's anger neared its breaking point, Gabriela quickly stopped her. "It's not worth your time."

Lindsay took that calmness the wrong way and frowned.

"Ella, wake up! He's out here showing off his affair, and you're just going to ignore it?"

Seeing how worked up Lindsay was, Gabriela felt a quiet warmth, though her expression stayed composed. She shook her head. "I've made up my mind to divorce him. Let's not allow people who don't matter to spoil our evening."

The word "divorce" left Lindsay stunned for a moment. Then excitement quickly replaced it.

"That's exactly what you should do! I've never thought he deserved you anyway. Back in school, you had so many guys chasing you. If he can't value you, someone else will. I'll set up a gathering and invite all those guys. Let's make him regret everything!"

"Once the divorce is done, he won't have anything to do with me anymore," Gabriela replied, her voice turning cold as she shut down the topic.

Lindsay changed the topic right away and slipped her arm through Gabriela's with a warm smile.

"Forget him. Tonight, we're drinking until we can't stand. I'm not as strong as before, but I can still keep up!"

Gabriela let out a soft laugh at her confidence. Yet after just two drinks, Lindsay was already slumped over the table.

"I'm not finished... Just wait..." Lindsay muttered, still trying to continue.

Seeing Lindsay refuse to admit defeat even in that state, Gabriela sighed.

She called over the bartender, "Can you keep an eye on my friend? I'll be back after I use the restroom."

Inside, Gabriela had just finished drying her hands when a frightened voice reached her.

"Please let me go! I have a boyfriend..."

Instead of backing off, the men laughed and pressed closer, their behavior becoming more aggressive.

A frown formed on Gabriela's face as she stepped forward. Her voice came out firm and cold.

"This is a place for fun, not trouble. Touch her again, and I'll call the police."

Taking the chance, the young woman rushed over and hid behind Gabriela.

The moment she got a clear look at Gabriela, surprise flashed across her face. "It's you?"

It was only at that moment that Gabriela recognized the woman she had helped. She was Alexander's mistress.

"Hurry, go get—"

Before Gabriela could finish calling for security, someone shoved her aside, and the young woman's frantic voice rang out.

"You're looking for a woman, right? Take her instead!"

The sudden betrayal stunned Gabriela. She stared in disbelief at how quickly the woman turned on her, even after being helped.

The young woman barely made it a few steps before one of the men grabbed her again.

"You're so ungrateful. She helped you out of kindness, and this is how you thank her?" He spoke lightly, almost teasing, while his eyes stayed on Gabriela, studying her from head to toe.

"What a beauty."

Her clear skin, long legs, and striking features made her stand out instantly.

Drawn in by her appearance, the man stepped closer without hesitation.

"Hey, gorgeous. How about we get along? Say yes, and I'll deal with her for you. Sounds fair?"

His eyes flickered with intent as his hand reached toward her shoulder.

"Alright," Gabriela replied, a faint smile forming, though it carried no warmth. She caught his wrist, leaned forward, and flipped him onto the floor in one smooth motion.

Without wasting time, she picked up a bottle and smashed it against the wall. The sharp sound cut through the air.

Holding the broken glass toward them, her gaze turned cold and dangerous. "Anyone else want to try?"

Her sudden move shocked them, and none of the men dared step forward. Eventually, they scattered.

At the same time, Alexander started to feel uneasy. He stood up and began looking for his mistress, and the disturbance nearby drew his attention. When he arrived, he saw everything that had just happened.

"Alex, I'm so scared!" As soon as the young woman saw him, she pulled away from the man gripping her and rushed into his arms, tears pouring down her face.

"What happened?" Concern filled Alexander's expression as he gently wiped away her tears.

With a hesitant glance toward Gabriela, the young woman, Kylie Palmer, spoke in a small voice. "She wasn't the one behind this..."

Instead of reassuring him, that explanation only deepened Alexander's suspicion.

"Ella, why are you here?" he asked, disbelief clear in his tone.

In his mind, Gabriela never stepped into places like this, so there could only be one reason. She must have followed him.

Everything suddenly made sense to him. He assumed she had found out about his affair and arranged for these men to trap her.

Any trace of guilt he once felt disappeared, replaced by a look of clear disapproval.

"When did you become this cruel? She's an innocent woman. She isn't a threat to you. You're going too far."

Hearing his accusations, Gabriela found the situation absurd, almost laughable. "Do you even hear what you're saying?"

How could he still act so self-righteous after being caught cheating?

Alexander's expression stayed firm. "I understand you're jealous, but..."

Before he could continue, Gabriela grabbed a nearby bottle and poured its contents over his head.

"Have you lost your mind?" Soaked through his expensive suit, Alexander stared at her in shock.

Without a hint of emotion, Gabriela smashed the bottle near his feet and turned away as if he no longer existed.

A sharp cry slipped out as glass scattered across the floor. Kylie clutched his arm tightly and hid behind him.

"Are you okay?" Alexander immediately pulled her closer, his voice full of concern.

When he looked back at Gabriela, anger burned in his eyes. He seized her wrist with force. "Gabriela, stop right there and apologize to Kylie."

Gabriela's eyes dropped to his hand, where the veins stood out from his tight grip, before she met his gaze again in silence.

"You almost hurt her. It's just saying sorry. Why make it difficult?"

To him, it was nothing serious.

All it took was a few words, yet Gabriela had no intention of giving them.

A chill filled Gabriela's gaze, sharp enough to make Alexander hesitate, and his grip loosened without him realizing it.

As soon as he felt her slip free, his expression shifted, anger and embarrassment flashing across his face.

"Don't push it!" he snapped, reaching out for her again.

Disgust showed on her face as she moved back to avoid him. Her foot came down on broken glass, and she lost her balance, falling backward.

Fragments covered the floor, and Kylie secretly wished Gabriela would land face-first and be left with scars.

"Ella..." Caught off guard, Alexander lunged forward, trying to grab her, but he couldn't reach her in time.

Gabriela shut her eyes, bracing herself for the impact that never came.

Instead, a faint woody scent surrounded her, and when she opened her eyes, a stranger was right in front of her.

"Are you okay?" His voice was low and steady, carrying a cold edge.

Something about that voice stirred a sense of familiarity, and her heart quickened, though she couldn't place it.

"Who are you? Let her go!"

Seeing the man's arm around her waist, Alexander rushed over, anger burning in his eyes.

Even as his wife, Gabriela had pulled away from his touch. How could he stand seeing another man lay a hand on her?

Before Alexander could get close, a strong force shoved him aside.

"Should I call the police?" The man gave Alexander a brief glance before focusing on Gabriela, his tone calm yet firm.

A surge of resentment rose in Alexander toward the stranger who had appeared out of nowhere.

"I'm her husband! This is our matter. Stay out of it!"

"Oh?" The man lifted a brow, a faint smirk forming. "Your wife is injured, and you didn't even notice. That doesn't look like concern to me."

It was only then that Alexander noticed the blood trickling from Gabriela's right hand, and panic hit him at once.

The man let out a mocking laugh. "Someone this careless shouldn't be anywhere near you. Imagine living with him and getting hurt, and he wouldn't even realize."

"Enough!" Embarrassment and anger flared in Alexander as he snapped, then turned back to Gabriela with a strained expression.

"Ella, I got worked up earlier. Let me see your hand."

Gabriela met his concern with a faint, ironic look.

"Save it for your mistress," she said coldly, refusing to even look at him again.

She turned to the man beside her. "Thank you."

When she lifted her gaze, she found herself caught in his deep eyes, as if they were pulling her in.

Asher Lewis studied her quietly. Her smooth skin and tear-filled eyes stirred a trace of sympathy in him.

She was striking, yet she had chosen someone like Alexander. It was a waste.

"No need to thank me. But you really should get your eyes checked—your judgment when it comes to men is seriously flawed."

With that remark, he turned and walked away, a flamboyant companion trailing behind him.

"Asher, your tongue's still as sharp as ever!"

......

As the voices grew distant, Gabriela looked away, then walked away, leaving Alexander and his scheming mistress behind.

"Ella, it's all a misunderstanding..." Alexander tried to follow her, eager to explain, but Kylie grabbed onto him.

"Alex, I'm really afraid..." Kylie's trembling voice made Alexander pause, leaving him conflicted as he watched Gabriela disappear.

With the help of a hired driver, Gabriela managed to bring the completely drunk Lindsay home.

"Thank you, sir. Keep the change."

The driver accepted the cash with a grin and drove off.

Back in the bedroom, Gabriela looked at Lindsay lying there unconscious and let out a tired sigh before helping her remove her makeup and clean her face.

By the time everything was done, and Gabriela finished her shower, it was already past midnight. She climbed into bed, and the alcohol pulled her into sleep almost immediately.

Morning came, and when she checked her phone, she saw it filled with missed calls from Alexander.

Gabriela's brows drew together as she glanced at her phone, ignoring every missed call from Alexander.

"Ella, you cannot go soft on that heartless jerk and forgive him!" Lindsay's angry voice came from behind her.

The sudden shout made Gabriela flinch. She took a moment to compose herself, then lowered her gaze.

"Don't worry. It's really over between us."

Hearing the certainty in her tone, Lindsay gave a satisfied nod. "That's more like it! I'm starving. Let me take you out for a quick breakfast."

She pressed her fingers to her temples, clearly still groggy from her hangover.

"I'm afraid I can't," Gabriela said apologetically. "I have to return to his family home now."

Lindsay's eyes widened in shock. "Didn't you just say it's over? Don't tell me—"

"It's not what you think." Gabriela shook her head, understanding Lindsay's concern. "I already agreed to have lunch with his grandmother today. Whatever is going on between him and me is separate. His grandmother has always treated me well. I don't want to disappoint her."

Lindsay fell quiet, studying her face with worry. "I'm just afraid that scumbag might try something to hurt you."

"It'll be okay," Gabriela said gently, reaching out to pat her shoulder in reassurance.

After getting ready, Gabriela headed back to the Marshes'.

The moment she stepped into the living room, her eyes landed on Alexander's mistress. The woman was seated on the sofa, chatting brightly and laughing with his mother and elder sister. They looked perfectly at ease together.

Lynda Marsh, Alexander's mother, held Kylie's hand, her face lit with warmth and approval.

"You're such a lovely girl. If only Alexander had met you sooner," Lynda said, her gaze shifting meaningfully toward Gabriela.

Gabriela showed no reaction to the familiar, subtle insult. Lynda had never approved of her, and that had long been clear.

There was a time when it had left her feeling small and helpless, when she had tried everything to earn her place as a proper daughter-in-law. But now, none of it held any weight. The only thing she wanted was to end this marriage as soon as possible.

"Gabriela, you're part of the family now. Where are your manners? Why are you standing there without a word? Can't you even greet us?"

Reclining lazily on the sofa, Caitlin Marsh, Alexander's sister, cast her a look full of disdain. The moment she noticed Gabriela's empty hands, her expression turned even colder.

"Where's the seafood chowder I told you to prepare?" she demanded with a condescending tone, as if she were addressing hired help rather than a sister-in-law.

"I didn't make it," Gabriela answered.

The detached response made Caitlin hesitate, unsure if she had heard correctly.

Her eyes swept over Gabriela from head to toe, confirming it was indeed her. And yet, something felt off.

The Gabriela she knew would never have dared to speak this way. She had always tried to please everyone in the household, even taking on chores meant for the staff.

Had she lost her senses, or did she think that marrying Alexander gave her the pass to change?

Caitlin's gaze hardened. "You can't even manage something so simple. What good are you? I told Alex not to marry you, but who knows what schemes you used to make him go through with it."

Gabriela had heard such cutting remarks countless times before. They no longer had the power to hurt her. In the past, she would have endured it quietly just to keep peace within the family, but that version of her was gone.

"No matter how useless I may seem, at least I'm not someone who plots endlessly and still can't secure a husband, then turns around to take it out on her sister-in-law," Gabriela said with a faint, mocking smile.

"How dare you!" Caitlin's face flushed a deep red. Her body shook with anger as she glared at her.

What had gotten into Gabriela today? How could she talk back so boldly. She even threw such humiliating words at her? Did she not fear Alexander finding out?

"How could you say something like that to Caitlin?" Kylie cut in, her brows knitting together as she spoke in reproach.

She struck a righteous pose. "Caitlin only spoke that way because she considers you family and wants you to do better."

Her soft voice brushed away everything Gabriela had endured, twisting the situation until Gabriela appeared to be the one at fault.

With Kylie backing her up, Caitlin grew even more aggressive, hurling one sharp insult after another without restraint.

"That's exactly why I like you, Kylie. You're thoughtful and reasonable. Not like someone who came from nothing, knew nothing, yet got lucky marrying into this family and living off my brother. And still, she acts wronged all the time, as if we've ever treated her badly!"

Caitlin twisted the truth, her voice thick with mockery. Kylie nodded along, quietly agreeing with every word.

Gabriela's lips curled into a mocking smile. Her sharp gaze moved past Caitlin then settled on Kylie.

She didn't say a single word, yet the chill around her was unmistakable, pressing down on the room.

Kylie held her gaze for a brief second then she faltered. She quickly looked away and instinctively stepped closer to Caitlin.

Caitlin was just about to continue when the sound of footsteps cut her off. Alexander walked in.

"Alex…" Kylie's face brightened at once. Without a second thought, she left Caitlin's side, rushed toward him, and wrapped her hands around his arm.

Gabriela's eyes flickered to where Kylie clung to him, but she said nothing.

Alexander noticed. Almost instinctively, he tried to free his arm, but Kylie held on, refusing to let go.

"Alex," she called softly, her voice laced with feigned vulnerability.

He paused, then slowly stopped resisting.

A trace of victory flashed in Kylie's eyes as she turned to look at Gabriela.

Gabriela caught the challenge in that glance, but she chose not to respond.

Caitlin watched her closely. Her lips curled with disdain at Gabriela's composed expression.

She refused to believe it. A woman who loved Alexander that deeply could never accept another woman by his side so easily.

She felt like Gabriela had to be burning with jealousy and was forcing herself to stay calm on the surface.

She let out a scoff, already preparing to tear apart that fragile act.

"Alex, Kylie is our honored guest. You should know how to treat her properly," Caitlin said, her eyes fixed on Gabriela, searching for even the slightest crack in her calm.

But Gabriela did not react. Her face remained still, showing no emotion.

Kylie accepted Caitlin's support with a gentle smile, her voice soft and sweet.

"Caitlin, I heard from Alex that you've been looking for a bottle of '45 DRC. My father once received a bottle as a gift, so I brought it today for you."

"Really?" Caitlin's eyes widened with excitement, disbelief written all over her.

She had spent five long years searching for that very bottle. The last time one appeared at auction had been years ago, and the final bid had climbed to five hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Back then, she had not been able to afford it, and the regret had lingered ever since.

"Alex, could you pass it to Caitlin for me?" Kylie said sweetly, leaning closer to Alexander in a way that felt far too intimate.

Caitlin quickly took the bottle, holding it tightly with joy. Her approval of Kylie soared instantly.

"This is too precious," she said with delight, then cast a glance at Gabriela, whose continued silence was beginning to annoy her.

"Gabriela should really learn from you, Kylie. She comes from nothing and can't support Alex in any way. She can't even handle something as simple as making seafood chowder."

Alexander's brow furrowed at Caitlin's mocking tone. "Caitlin, that's enough."

Before he could continue, Lynda cut in coldly, "Was anything she said wrong?"