Chapter 15
In his office, Gabriel was handling business matters when his phone suddenly vibrated–the butler was calling.
“Sir, young Master has a high fever of 103°F. We’re extremely concerned something serious might happen…”
Gabriel’s brow furrowed deeply. “Has a doctor been called?”
‘Yes, but Miss Hayes said not to worry. She… she went out to attend a gathering.”
‘What?!” Gabriel’s expression changed dramatically, shock evident in his voice. “I’m coming right away. Have the family doctor check him immediately.”
When he rushed home through the rain, he found Ethan burning with fever, his small body shaking uncontrollably.
The family doctor was administering an IV, his expression grave.
“How did it get this serious?” Gabriel demanded.
“Mr. Westbrook, the child has been running a high fever for four hours. Any longer and it could develop into pneumonia,” the doctor lowered his voice, his expression deeply concerned.
“The child’s constitution is already weak. Treatment should have begun much earlier.”
Gabriel felt a tightness in his chest.
He remembered…
When Cassidy was around, she could detect the slightest illness in the children. Often she could accurately gauge a fever without even using a thermometer.
‘Where’s Natalie? Why haven’t I seen her?” he asked.
The butler hesitated before finally explaining: “Miss Hayes said… it was just a minor cold. She went to Mrs. Lee’s birthday celebration, couldn’t refuse the invitation…”
Gabriel pulled out his phone and dialed Natalie’s number.
It rang for a long time before being answered, with background noise of laughter and music.
“Gabriel?” Natalie’s voice carried the lightness of mild intoxication, showing no concern whatsoever.
“Ethan’s fever is nearly 104 degrees. Where are you?” he demanded.
“Oh… I’ll come right back!” Hearing Gabriel’s unusually harsh tone, Natalie’s voice immediately became frantic and apologetic:
—Than Your Money!
Chapter 15
“I’m so sorry, Gabriel. I really thought it was just a common cold… I’m heading back now.”
An hour later, Natalie hurried back, still wearing her evening gown from the party, her face perfectly made up.
She rushed to Gabriel with red–rimmed eyes, looking pitiful: “Gabriel, I truly had no idea Ethan was so ill…”
Gabriel stared at her meticulous makeup and the lingering smell of alcohol on her, feeling a surge of irritation.
But faced with the face he had longed for day and night, he softened:
“Let it go this time. Be more careful next time.”
Late that night, Ethan’s fever finally subsided.
Gabriel’s phone rang again–an urgent call from his assistant.
‘Mr. Westbrook, there’s an emergency at the company requiring your immediate attention.”
Gabriel glanced at his sleeping son, hesitating before saying: “Natalie, please look after him. I’ll be back as soon as I handle this.”
Natalie nodded obediently, her expression gentle as water: “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Ethan.”
Gabriel hurried to leave, but realized as he reached the garage that he’d left his car keys inside the house.
He returned and was just approaching Ethan’s bedroom door when he heard Natalie’s shrill voice from within:
‘You little brat, stop pretending! You ruined my evening at the party!”
Ethan’s tearful voice weakly responded:
‘I’m sorry, Auntie Natalie… I didn’t mean to…”
‘I’m warning you, don’t act pitiful in front of your father!” Natalie’s voice was terrifyingly cold, without a trace of Compassion.
‘If you dare say anything, you’ll see how I deal with you!”
‘I–I won’t say anything…” Ethan sobbed. “I’ll be good… please don’t hit me…”
‘Hmph, smart choice. Just like your trashy mother.”
Outside the door, Gabriel stood shocked to his core. The pure, kind image of his longtime love crumbled completely in an instant.
Before he could think it through, he had already kicked the door open with such force it slammed against the wall with a thunderous crash.
Chapter 15
Natalie turned in terror, meeting Gabriel’s furious gaze.
“G–Gabriel…” Her face instantly paled, stammering frantically:
‘Let me explain… I was just…”
But before she could finish, Gabriel strode forward and slapped her hard across the face.
Natalie stumbled against the wall, her carefully styled hair coming undone.
So this is how you play the role of good mother behind my back?” he seethed.
Today you hit him, threaten him. Tomorrow will you be walking all over me too?”
Get out,” Gabriel’s voice was cold as ice. “Today, take all your things and get out of my house.”
Don’t let me see you again.”
Natalie clutched her cheek, tears ruining her makeup as she pleaded desperately: “Gabriel, I was just upset… I truly ove these children… I’ll treat them better in the future.”
Love?” Gabriel laughed bitterly. “Beating and threatening is your idea of love?”
He turned to Ethan on the hospital bed. The boy had curled into a ball, his little face streaked with tears.
jabriel’s heart twisted painfully-
low blind had he been not to see the terror his children were living in?
Daddy…” Ethan timidly reached out his hand, eyes full of fear. “I’m sorry… I’ll listen to Auntie. Please don’t throw
ne away…‘
abriel dropped to one knee beside the bed, gripping his son’s feverish little hand tightly. “No. Daddy’s the one who
as wrong.”
le turned to Natalie, his eyes filled with disappointment and disgust, making her instinctively step back
I never imagined you were this kind of person.”
atalie tried to defend herself, but Gabriel had already pressed the call button:
Security, please escort this lady out immediately.”
When Natalie’s screams finally faded down the corridor, Gabriel sat exhausted by the bedside.
than cautiously tugged at his sleeve, pitifully sobbing: “Daddy… I miss Mommy. Will you bring Mommy back?*
¡abriel’s throat tightened.
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He recalled Cassidy’s resolute back as she left, remembered his coldness and cruelty toward her over the years, a dull pain spreading through his chest.
“Daddy…” Emma had somehow awakened in the next bedroom, rubbing her eyes as she shuffled over to them. “I miss Mommy too. When will Mommy come back?”
Gabriel pulled both children into his arms, unsure how to comfort them, feeling only an indescribable bitterness in
his heart.
