Internally, Viviane felt relieved and admitted to herself that perhaps it was better to accept her resignation and find another way to locate her daughter. She made her way back to the room as quickly as she could. "You have fifteen minutes," she imitated the arrogant boss's voice. "What an idiot!" she muttered to herself.

In the room, she removed the uniform and put on the same black dress she had worn to dinner the night before. She let her hair down while looking in the mirror and arranged the platinum strands over her shoulders.

She hung the uniform on the hanger and placed it in the wardrobe just before taking out her suitcase. After organizing everything in the bag, Vivian sighed in relief. She swore to herself she would never act impulsively again.

She still had five minutes to decide what to say to that cold, authoritarian man.

For a moment, little Elizabeth came to mind. The poor girl would have such a strict upbringing and become as cold as her grandmother and father.

"That's not my problem!" she tried to convince herself.

She glanced at the clock and confirmed the time. Since it was her last day in the house, the thought of confronting him crossed her mind.

With two minutes left, Viviane dabbed a little lipstick on her cheeks, rubbing it in to give her skin a healthier appearance, then slid the lipstick across her lips.

Taking a deep breath, she left the room without looking back. She walked slowly along the carpet, in no rush to see the arrogant man. She stopped at the office door and smoothed the fabric of her dress before knocking.

"Come in!"

Dragging her suitcase, she crossed the threshold and faced the man who had his back turned. Gabe was looking out at the backyard vegetation through the glass. Vivian studied him closely. He turned his head and looked over his shoulder at her before saying,

"You're late, Viviane!"

Dark, straight hair fell over his forehead as Gabriel turned, revealing a chiseled jawline and angular chin that complemented his tanned skin. His gaze fixed on the woman holding the suitcase handle.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked sharply.

Dejected, she muttered: "To my home."

"I don't recall giving you permission."

"I'm no longer your employee."

"You're resigning?"

"I can't work in a house where my boss wants to keep me imprisoned."

Gabriel remained unmoved by her audacity.

Her voice faltered as she threatened, "If you don't let me out, I'll call the police."

"Do it! Call the police." He lifted the phone receiver and beckoned to Viviane with his other hand. "I'm sure my esteemed friend-or rather, the chief of police-will be thrilled to meet Pietro's ex-wife and accomplice."

He looked at the papers on the desk and hung up the phone when he saw that the nanny would not insist.

"I just want you to accept my resignation."

"Are you so desperate to run from me, Viviane?" He gave a sarcastic smile, trying to keep his tone controlled. "I will not accept your resignation! You will only leave this house when Pietro shows up," his arrogant voice thundered.

Vivian's face turned pale as she realized that this arrogant man had no intention of setting her free. Mr. Welsch was a powerful man who could make her complicit with her ex-husband. How could she search for her daughter from behind bars?

"Then why did you have me take off the uniform?" she asked, trying to break the silence and rid herself of the frustrating thoughts. "I thought I could leave."

"Don't you have other clothes?" He changed the subject.

He raised his face, his inquisitive eyes taking note of the knit fabric of Viviane's dress as he waited for a response; she remained silent, knowing his intent was to humiliate her.

"Sit down!"

"I prefer to stand," Viviane replied.

"I told you to sit!" he shouted.

Viviane dropped the suitcase handle and limped to the chair, where she sat.

Looking at the nanny, Mr. Welsch asked, "Did you know that Pietro was my wife's lover?"

"No!" She held Gabriel's gaze. "So you just want to use me to get back at Pietro?" Viviane tried to show confidence she didn't feel.

"Perhaps!" A threatening smile hovered on his face. "Since my wife cheated on me with your ex," he flopped into the chair, "I think it's only fair I take what's his."

"I'm not an object, and you can't force me to do anything." She raised her chin, challenging him.

"Listen carefully, Vivian!" Gabriel felt this was the moment to make his intentions perfectly clear. "Your husband ran when the car crashed and escaped with my money. Rachel abandoned her own daughter to run away with a man who left her to die in that burning car."

Viviane knew Pietro had a mistress he met with constantly, but it had never crossed her mind that Gabriel's wife was the woman he spoke to on the phone. Though it was shocking, she still refused to marry the man sitting across the desk.

"What would you want with a woman who can barely walk?" she tried, using her disability as an argument. "I'm not elegant, and I'm not an heiress. My father was a taxi driver, and my mother is a retired bank clerk. I'm just a teacher who spent ten years working as an educator."

"Lady Di was a ballet teacher!"

"She had the lineage of two kings of the Stuart dynasty," Viviane countered.

"So what if you don't belong to an aristocratic family?"

His thirst for revenge blinded him to social differences. Gabriel was obsessed.

"You don't have access to the best medical care, and I can provide that." He gestured toward Viviane's leg. "I've seen your medical records." He pushed a folder with copies of all her tests across the desk. "I've already sent them to a specialist. If you continue with the consultations and physical therapy, you can recover."

Viviane stared at the papers in astonishment after opening the folder. She had no idea Gabriel had access to her medical records.

"I saw you in that restaurant a few months before you were shot and went into a coma," he said at one point, studying her with a pitying gaze. "Where is the baby you were expecting?"

"She wasn't there when I woke up."

Tears stung Viviane's eyes. She had never spoken openly about her daughter. Head down, she looked at the ultrasound image of her baby. A tear rolled down her face and fell as she smoothed the photograph of her daughter still in her womb.

"I'm giving you a chance to take revenge on that bastard. I can find out where he is and locate your daughter."

The offer seemed tempting, but what could she offer a man who had everything, especially beautiful women who would do anything to marry him and care for Elizabeth?

"I don't think I'd be a good wife!" She closed the folder and touched her face, wiping away the tears. "Pietro left me because he said I was frigid."

Gabriel clenched his fists on the desk and swallowed hard.

"I only want you to be a good mother to Elizabeth and testify against your ex-husband."

Viviane sniffled and nodded.

"I'm sure you're not frigid," he commented.

"I can take care of Liz and testify, but there's no need for sexual relations."

"What do you think Pietro did with my wife?" His deep voice was filled with rage. "You will be my wife and the mother of my child. I expect you to fulfill your duties behind closed doors. If you ever insist on defying my orders, you know what will happen."

Viviane had read about women married without love in some countries. She had watched countless videos of young girls crying because they couldn't refuse marriage but had to obey their parents' wishes to follow family customs. Accepting a situation like this felt so strange, especially in the 21st century.

Even though she admitted Gabriel was a handsome man, she still didn't want to marry him. She couldn't stand his rude, authoritarian manner.

Soft knocks on the door interrupted the silence. Gabriel got up from the chair and took a few steps to turn the silver doorknob.

"Mr. Jenkins is here!" Yolanda announced.

"Take him to the living room and serve a drink. I'll be there shortly!"

Vivian turned slightly and glanced at the man standing at the door.

"Mr. Welsch, Elizabeth is awake, and her mother left very early," the housekeeper informed.

"Viviane," he said over his right shoulder, "put a dress on Liz and take her to the living room."

"Yes, sir!" She stood and grabbed the suitcase.

"Leave that there," Gabriel ordered. "I'll take it to the room!"

Viviane got up and passed through the door as Gabriel stepped aside. Could he really carry out those threats? She wondered, walking slowly along the beige carpet covering the hallway floor.

She still had doubts about whether he would truly help her. Now that she knew Pietro was a fugitive somewhere in the world with her daughter, Viviane decided to accept an alliance with the cold, vengeful man. The CEO's nanny was capable of anything to find her lost daughter.

Elizabeth's room was spacious and comfortable. In the well-lit space, the little girl sat at the study table near the wall, distractedly coloring her drawing.

Viviane opened the door and was met with an environment decorated in neutral tones, with delicate white furniture. The bedspread was a soft pink.

On the wall hung a picture in a gold frame of Elizabeth with her parents.

Viviane had expected to find a messy room with toys and shoes scattered around, but to her surprise, even the bed was made. "Barbara or Yolanda must have tidied it up," Vivian thought.

"Good morning, Liz!"

The girl put down her colored pencil and quickly stood up.

"You have to knock first," she whispered as if sharing a secret.

"Oh, right!" Vivian smiled. "Sorry!"

Viviane left and closed the door behind her. Turning back, she waited a few seconds and knocked three times.

"Who is it?" asked the child's voice.

"It's me!"

"Who, me?" The little girl giggled.

"Viviane, your nanny!"

Giggling, Liz went to the door and turned the knob.

"May I speak with Miss Elizabeth?" Vivian said casually.

"Of course, come in!" The girl said, smiling.

Liz was still in a lavender pajama. She walked across the room and put the colored pencils back in the case.

"I made this for you!" The child stretched out his arm, handing over the sheet of paper.

Vivian looked at the drawing of a house with uneven lines. In front of the house, Liz had drawn a garden with three flowers and a tree with a swing. Viviane was amazed to see that the little girl could already write her own name.

Liz was very intelligent, and for a child who had spent her early years in the United States, she spoke Portuguese very well.

"Thank you so much!"

Viviane intended to bend down and hug her but remembered what Gabriel had said: be careful with excessive affection and overprotectiveness.

But what harm could it do? No one was watching. Viviane lowered herself to Liz's height and hugged her. She smelled the pleasant scent of shampoo and then pulled away.

"Have you picked out your clothes?"

The girl shook her head. Liz went to the closet and opened the door, pointing to one of the hangers with a charming light pink dress.

"Did you take a bath?"

"No!" She adjusted her feet in the fluffy slippers.

Hurriedly, the nanny helped the girl with her hygiene. After Elizabeth brushed her teeth, Vivian made a French braid in the girl's silky hair and tied a small bow at the end. Sliding the short sleeves of the dress over the child's shoulders, she adjusted the hem, which had a beautiful ruffle.

At one moment, Viviane looked at the photo of the beautiful woman with fair skin and black hair on the wall. Rachel was stunning and photogenic. Not even the scowl of the man beside her dimmed her glow or Elizabeth's.

The nanny turned her gaze back to Liz, who was choosing her shoes. For a moment, Viviane felt a lump in her throat. The girl had no mother at her side, just like her own daughter, somewhere in the world, unaware of her existence.

"Miss Bernardi!" Yolanda's voice echoed after light knocks.

"Yes!" Viviane opened the door.

"Sorry to rush you, but Mr. Welsch said if you don't appear with Liz in five minutes, he'll come here."

"We're on our way!"

Viviane nodded to the housekeeper in thanks and hurried to help the girl fasten the pink shoe with a bow at the tip.

"Time to study?" Liz stood up.

"No, sweetheart!" The nanny said calmly. "Let's see what your father wants."

Elizabeth was the first to leave the room upon hearing the news. Rarely did she see her father in the mornings, and most of the time, Gabriel arrived late because of meetings.

The house was so large that the nanny was still disoriented. Holding the girl's hand, she followed her little steps. Viviane greeted Barbara, who was cleaning the golden console table in the middle of the hallway.

"Where's my daddy?"

"He's in the living room," Barbara whispered.

"This way!" The girl showed Vivian the way.

A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the room's Victorian-style decor displayed refined golden details on the furniture and objects.

Viviane was still admiring the elegant decor when the girl let go of her hand and ran to the man who was finishing signing papers.

"Dad!" Liz ran to the sofa across the curved-legged coffee table.

Gabriel called the housekeeper and driver over before turning to his daughter.

"Are you hungry?" he asked Elizabeth.

"Yes!" She raised her arms.

He picked his daughter up and narrowed his eyes at Viviane. The nanny's submissive posture seemed pleasing to him.

Yolanda and the driver finished signing the papers and stepped aside. A man in a black suit picked up the document and looked at Viviane.

The nanny straightened immediately, realizing Gabriel's eyes never left her. Surprisingly, he did not look stern. In front of his daughter, he seemed like another man.

"Miss Bernardi's signature is missing!" said the middle-aged man.

"Step closer, Vivian!" Gabriel commanded. "Jenkins doesn't have all day."

Even without knowing what was happening in the room, Viviane approached the stranger. Her face drained of color as she read the document. She glanced from the paper to Gabriel and the two witnesses standing on the other side of the room. Yolanda looked completely embarrassed.

"Sign!" said Gabriel in an arrogant tone.

For ten years, Viviane had been married to a man who saw her as just a household object.

"Why should I fear Gabriel's accusations when, until that moment, there was no evidence linking me to Pietro?" Vivian thought before signing.

"Can I speak with you for a minute?" Her voice is so soft and pleasant.

Gabriel kissed his daughter's hair and adjusted his black blazer after rising from the sofa.

"I'll be right back!" His hoarse voice announced.

He went toward the woman walking slowly. Indignant, he stopped in front of the nanny, touched Viviane's shoulders, and pressed her against the wall.

"Are you challenging me?"

His penetrating eyes locked on the woman's scared, sensual mouth. Gabriel had to maintain control to resist pressing his tongue against those inviting lips.

"You have no proof!" Vivian said, unconvincingly.

Smirking ironically, he looked away for a moment and suddenly pulled her into the office.

It was hard to keep up with the furious man's quick steps. Viviane stifled a groan as her leg ached.

Gabriel opened the door and led her to the other side of the desk. He released her arm and flopped into the chair, opening a drawer.

"Do you want to see the proof?" He handed the papers to the terrified woman. "Here's the evidence!"

Viviane examined several transfers of thousands of dollars to an account opened in her name at a bank in the Cayman Islands.

"No, it wasn't me!" She shook her head, denying it. With tears in her eyes, she tried to convince Gabriel. "I never had an overseas bank account, Mr. Welsch."

"Really?" He straightened in the chair and placed his hand on his flat stomach. "You were married to that thief for ten years and never knew about this offshore account?"

"I didn't know, I swear I didn't!"

"You know my late father used to say," he paused and leaned forward, "people who swear usually lie."

Viviane looked like a cornered animal as she examined the transactions in her name. She had known Pietro since high school, yet she never imagined he could use her documents to commit a crime.

"Sorry to bother you, my friend! I'm a little late."

"Come in!" Gabriel stepped aside, letting his friend enter. "My fiancée and I were discussing our last name. We agreed that from today on, she will be Mrs. Welsch."

Vivian was so saddened she didn't contest Gabriel. Without hesitation, she took the papers the justice of the peace handed her and signed in the indicated spots.

The justice of the peace sealed the union by announcing, "You are now married!"

There were no kisses, vows, or rice showers like when she married Pietro. Fourteen years ago, she wore a beautiful white wedding dress to marry a man who promised her the world. Pietro had been a liar, a conman who stole her savings and left her in a coma in the hospital with no remorse.

"The rings," Gabriel interrupted Vivian's thoughts, "I almost forgot this small detail." He pulled the black box from his pocket.

The ring had a beautiful diamond that sparkled. Not even the jewel could bring a smile to the nanny's disappointed face.

In front of the justice of the peace, Gabriel took her left hand and slid the ring onto her ring finger. He cupped Viviane's face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her. Instinctively, she closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his lips brushing against her forehead.

"I'll take care of you!" he said, then pulled away.

Looking at the friend who congratulated them, Gabe exchanged greetings and shook Jenkins' hand before saying goodbye. Both were heading for the door when the little girl entered without knocking. Elizabeth froze at the sight of her father.

"We already talked about this, Liz!"

"I'm sorry, Dad!"

The girl came back, closed the door, clutched her fist, and tapped lightly twice.

"Come in!"

Liz hurried through the door and hugged her father's left leg.

"Goodbye, princess!" Jenkins said.

Shy, Elizabeth glanced at the nanny.

"Say goodbye to Daddy's friend!"

"Bye," she said without looking at the judge.

The little girl's eyes still watched the downcast nanny. She released her father's leg and ran to Vivian.

"Are you sad?"

"No, she's not sad..." Gabe intervened before the nanny could answer, "Vivian is just emotional, isn't that right, sweetheart?"

Viviane swallowed hard and nodded at her current husband.

"We have news for you, Liz!"

The tall man moved to the other side.

"Viviane is your new mommy."

Surprised, Elizabeth stepped back. Gabriel delivered the news so abruptly. How could a little girl understand?

"Really?" Elizabeth looked at the nanny.

"Yes!" Viviane replied.

The girl stayed quiet, fidgeting with the bow on her outfit.

"Vivian will take care of you." Gabe crouched down to meet his daughter's gaze.

"Is she leaving too?" Liz nestled in her father's arms.

"No! Viviane isn't like Rachel. She will never leave you."

The way he treated his daughter struck Viviane. Perhaps Elizabeth was the weak spot of this proud, cruel CEO.

"I'm hungry, Daddy!"

"Go to the kitchen and ask Aunt Yolanda to make a really good sandwich. When you're done, we'll go to the park, and afterward, we'll go shopping."

Liz kissed her father on the cheek and left the office, leaving the couple alone. Standing up, Gabriel watched the woman smooth her own arm.

"Rachel was never a good mother!" He said suddenly. "She only cared about the law firm and shopping. She rarely had time for Liz."

Even hearing this, she remained silent. Pietro could be using the same excuse to justify his absence in their daughter's life. Viviane held back tears and lifted her head.

"Change your clothes; we're going out with Liz!"

"Yes, sir!"

"You can call me Dear, Gabriel, or Gabe when we're in public!" He stepped closer and squeezed her shoulders. "But behind closed doors, you can call me sir or shout my name as many times as you like," he whispered.

Her skin tingled from the warm breath near her ear. She stepped back, realizing her task as a wife.

"I'll change my clothes!"

"Your suitcase is in my room." He warned.

"Why?"

"You're my woman!" He followed her and held the door with his right hand to prevent her from escaping. "I won't be so demanding tonight."

Turning her toward him, Gabriel touched her thigh, lifted the fabric of the dress, and brushed his nose along her neck. The nanny was completely his. The thought excited him, and he grew more aroused. Resisting the overwhelming desire, Gabe lowered the hem of her dress.

"Later," he receded. "We'll go! I'll show you our room."

"Come in!" He let Viviane pass.

Although the rest of the house displayed luxurious decor, Mr. Welsch's bedroom was more sober, with black and brown dominating the furniture, bedding, and curtains. Even feeling out of place in such a masculine room, she tried to maintain her composure.

Silently, Gabriel removed his blazer and tossed it onto the brown leather sofa facing the huge television mounted on the wall.

He touched the buttons of his shirt and began undoing them one by one. Vivian looked away and focused on one of the walls, covered in a three-dimensional paneling. Raising her eyes, she noticed the ceiling with its scattered points of light.

"Your suitcase is over there!"

Gabriel pointed to the other side of the enormous king-size bed draped in a brown satin sheet. He pulled off his pants and noticed Vivian's flushed cheeks.

"Never seen a naked man before?"

He walked around the room in just his underwear, his abs chiseled, his thighs muscular. Gabriel opened the curtains, letting sunlight pour through the massive window.

"You've been married for ten years and you still feel embarrassed when you see a naked man?" he asked dismissively.

Of course, she had seen Pietro wandering around the house in his underwear. Nevertheless, he was the only man she had slept with since high school, and the only person to have seen her naked.

"This room is very masculine!" Vivian tried to divert the conversation.

"She didn't sleep here, if that's what you want to know." He opened the sliding closet door and stood inside for thirty seconds. "I grew up in this house, but later, my father took us to Los Angeles." He returned to the bedroom, holding a pair of black pants and a long-sleeved white shirt. "Whenever I come to Brazil, I stay here."

"I bet the Los Angeles mansion's bedroom has Rachel's feminine touch," she said without thinking.

"Don't say her name," he snapped harshly. "I want to forget that bitch existed. Got it?"

Vivian didn't respond; she remained still, unsure of Mr. Welsch's reaction.

"Change your clothes," he ordered before entering the bathroom.

As soon as she heard the water running, Viviane took the opportunity to walk calmly around the room. She noticed her phone and wallet on the desk next to the laptop and turned to look at the greenery outside the large window. Pietro had always wanted a house in a condo like this. Viviane remembered when her ex had commented on visiting luxury condos in Alphaville.

She walked toward her luggage. The first thing she thought of was calling her mother to let her know she was okay. Viviane searched through her bag and emptied it but couldn't find her phone. Opening the suitcase, she took out all her clothes and both pairs of shoes. She checked every corner but still didn't find it.

She looked at the clothes scattered on the bed and tried to recall the last place she had been.

"The office!" Viviane rushed.

"Where are you going?"

Gabriel, drying his hair, appeared at the bathroom door with a white towel wrapped around the muscles below his stomach.

Vivian froze, looking like a living statue.

"Haven't changed out of that dress yet?" He looked at the bed. "What a mess!" He pointed at the clothes strewn across it.

"I can't find my phone," she said in a choked voice.

"Who are you trying to call?" He passed the towel over his neck while watching her. "Your ex?"

"No!" Viviane immediately retorted. "I just wanted to talk to my mom. I think I left my phone in your office."

Gabriel shook his head and strode to the desk at the other end of the room. He opened a drawer and took the phone.

"Call her and invite her to dinner," he said, handing over the device.

"This isn't my phone." Her pupils dilated.

She took a few steps back as Gabriel approached. His intimidating presence made her legs wobble. Viviane backed up and sat on the bed.

"I destroyed the SIM card and threw your phone in the trash."

"You shouldn't have done that." She gathered her courage to face him. "You crossed the line!"

Finally, Viviane asserted herself. Her boldness disappeared when Gabriel lunged at her and laid her on the bed. He looked into her green eyes after lifting her arms above her head.

Viviane's heart and pulse raced. He brushed his lips across her face until reaching her mouth. Already hard, he ached to enter her warm, wet body ever since he had barged into her room in the middle of the night. He rubbed his rigid member against her stomach, making her feel its thickness.

"Don't do this, Vivian!" he murmured against her lips. "I'm trying to trust you. I really want to believe you didn't know about that bank account," his voice rougher than before.

Luckily, Viviane heard two faint knocks. Gabriel stood up as soon as he heard his daughter calling him.

"Tell her I'm coming."

He grabbed his clothes and went to dress in the bathroom while Vivian opened the door.

"Where's Daddy?"

"He's finishing his shower."

"What a mess," the little girl said, looking at the bed as she entered the room. "Daddy doesn't like this!" she whispered.

"I'll tidy up quickly and get changed for our outing."

Elizabeth climbed onto the bed and helped Viviane pick up the clothes.

"What are you doing here, Liz?"

Gabriel returned to the room, adjusting his shirt collar.

"I came to get you."

"Wait in your room." He ran his hands through his hair.

The girl looked at the clothes Viviane was folding and kissed her on the cheek before getting off the bed. Gabriel accompanied his daughter to the door and closed it.

"Don't do this again," he said, pointing at the clothes Viviane was folding. "I hate mess."

"Liz mentioned it."

Gabriel tucked his shirt into his linen pants.

"Change the damn clothes!" he barked.

After putting everything in the suitcase, Viviane set aside only a short-sleeved graphite-gray dress.

"Have you called your mother yet?" He adjusted the silver-strapped watch on his right wrist.

"Not yet," she replied, closing the zipper of her suitcase. "You can't stop me from communicating with other people..."

"Other people? From what I know, you don't have friends! No one but your mother visited you while you were vegetating in that hospital." Gabriel crossed his arms.

Looking down at her feet, Viviane picked up the dress and passed him without saying a word.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to change in the bathroom," she said, turning away.

The drive from the condo to the mall took only a few minutes.

The driver maneuvered the car while a security guard beside him communicated with two others escorting the vehicle behind them.

Meanwhile, Liz played a game on her tablet, teaching Viviane how to play Plants vs. Zombies. Gabriel argued with an executive on the phone. Suddenly, he swore. Liz's eyes went wide, and she covered her mouth.

"You shouldn't say that around her," Vivian warned.

Gabriel touched his furrowed brow and exhaled heavily. In a sudden act of rage, he opened the window and tossed the phone onto the middle of the road.

"Daddy has another phone!" The little girl, used to her father's stress, explained. "He'll buy another one later," whispered little Liz. "Your turn!" She handed the tablet to Vivian.

"Put that away," Gabe ordered, "we're here!"

The car entered the cold, dimly lit parking lot. They remained inside the Mustang until the guards allowed them to exit.

"Don't stick together," Gabriel ordered. "Just watch Liz and my wife, and let me know if you notice any suspicious movement."

During their shopping trip, Gabriel handed over a credit card and insisted that Viviane and his daughter accompany the saleswoman. Sitting in a comfortable chair, he typed frantically on his phone.

Viviane helped Liz try on shoes. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, his brow furrowed as he argued on the phone.

'Gabriel must be so focused on his work he barely had time for Rachel,' she thought. 'That's why the poor woman spent all her time shopping and working. To make up for Gabriel's absence in the family.'

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while watching him. Their eyes met when Gabe lifted his gaze. She quickly looked away and helped Elizabeth remove her shoes.

"The dresses you requested are here!" the saleswoman smiled at Viviane. "You can try them on if you want."

One of the guards kept an eye on another employee helping the girl try on another pair of shoes. Viviane took the opportunity to enter the fitting room before anyone noticed her absence. She was lifting clothes over her shoulders while looking in the mirror when the curtain suddenly opened.

"What are you doing?" Gabriel shouted. "You should be taking care of my daughter." His voice faltered when he saw Viviane's firm, perky breasts..

She covered her chest with one arm and watched Gabriel lick his lips.

"The guard is watching Liz," she said, grabbing the dress from the hanger with the other hand. "It's quick; I'm only going to try on two pieces."

On impulse, Gabriel entered the fitting room. He took the dress from her hands and pulled her close to his body. His hard penis throbbed inside his pants.

"No!" Vivian blushed. "The saleswoman will come in here."

That didn't convince him. Instead, he caressed her back, admiring her curves in the mirror, and then Gabriel pulled her ear between his teeth and let out a moan.

Trying to free herself from Mr. Welsch's advances, Viviane said, "It's not wise," and quickly made up an excuse: "Liz will be here any minute!"

"What?" Gabriel stepped back. He ran a hand over his neck, took one last look, and left the fitting room. "I need some fresh air."

Viviane felt relieved once he left. She tried on the spaghetti-strap dress, adjusting her breasts within the draped neckline. The rose-colored fabric slid down her body to her ankles. She put on black high heels and fixed her hair while evaluating her reflection.

"Try this one!" Impatient, he opened the curtain again.

"Does it look good?"

"You look beautiful!" Gabriel was silent for seven seconds before regaining himself. "Try it!"

He handed her a set of red lace lingerie matching a daring silk nightgown of the same color.

"I want you to wear this tonight."

________________________________________

After eating at one of the mall's restaurants, Elizabeth was upset because her father had scolded her and said they wouldn't go to the park that day for being rude to her grandmother the night before.

"You promised!" Liz complained.

The girl pouted and crossed her arms, just like Gabriel used to do.

"We can play over there." Viviane pointed to a toy store.

"Let's go, Daddy!" Liz hugged Gabe's leg as he walked. "Please!"

"Okay," he exhaled heavily.

Both girls were excited. Liz turned to look at her father, who remained in place.

"Come on, Daddy!"

"I'll be there soon. I have to make a call."

Elizabeth shrugged, held Viviane's hand, and went off to play.

Gabriel looked at one of the guards across from him and signaled him to accompany them.

____________________________________

At home, Gabriel had a long argument with his mother because Katherine didn't approve of his sudden marriage to a nanny. Even without knowing the real reasons behind her son's intentions, she refused to accept Viviane as a daughter-in-law.

In the office, Kathy repeatedly said Viviane was just a gold digger who had bewitched her son.

Gabe was as hot-tempered as his mother. The two always disagreed on anything involving love. He lost count of how many relationships ended because of her interference. Only Rachel seemed suitable for a successful CEO like him.

"You had to find another woman like Rachel," Kathy said.

"She was cheating on me," Gabe admitted.

The words seemed to escape him. Katherine's face froze.

"Rachel was running away with her lover on the day of the accident," he revealed.

"What did you do, Gabriel?" Katherine stood up from her chair.

"Nothing, Mom. I just let her go..."

He turned his back, hiding his expression of disgust. Gabriel knew his absence had opened a space for someone else to step in. He just didn't expect one of his employees to be the man his late wife slept with.

"I'm tired." He ran both hands over his face. "See you tomorrow, Mom!"

Gabriel locked the desk drawer and left, leaving his mother alone in the office.

Striding down the hallway, he remembered the times Pietro had stayed in his house and the days he drove Rachel to the law office. According to the staff, there was no doubt Pietro had slept with Rachel in his residence.

He needed to rid himself of that torment called Rachel and relax a little.

Opening the bedroom door, Gabriel saw the woman curled up in the sheets.

He lay on his side and approached Viviane's back, pulling her closer and noticing the pink flannel pajamas. Indignant, Gabe muttered. Viviane hadn't even thought to wear the lingerie he had chosen.

"What are you doing, Vivian?" He reached out and switched on the lamp.

"Sleeping," she answered, her voice thick with sleep.

Pulling the sheet over her head, she mumbled.

"That's not how things work, Vivian!"

She was so sleepy she barely heard his complaints.

"I'd prefer you sleep naked." He dragged his beard over her neck.

"I hate your beard!"

"What?" He raised his black eyebrows.

"It stings," she pushed his chin away.

"Viviane Bernardi Welsch!" He raised his voice, making her sit up on the bed. "I'm going to shave, and when I come back, I'll rip that pajama off and enter you."