After noticing Amber’s brows in defiance, Gabriella finally turned her gaze to the butler.
“Auntie, please give us some privacy.”
Getting the unexpected request, Minnie’s eyes opened wide. “Are you sure, Madam?”
“Of course she’s sure,” Amber interrupted with a crooked smile. “She realized that I had known-”
“Please, Auntie.”
Knowing the host felt threatened, Amber’s lips grew wider. While laughing silently, she watched the butler descend the stairs.
“What do you want to say?” Gabriella asked, successfully bringing back the stiffness in the guest’s face.
“I heard you have a high IQ. Shouldn’t you be able to guess?” Amber’ sarcasm made Gabriella’s blood boil.
“Please don’t beat around the bush.”
“I know that someone asked you to leave Max.”
A second later, silence froze the atmosphere. Gabriella seemed to be able to hear the sound of her own breath. Her lungs could no longer hide the worry.
“How do you know?” she asked with round, quivering eyes.
“I have a loyal informant. He always supports me to take Max away from you. Even for free, he’s happy to send me all the information I need.”
Gabriella’s throat suddenly constricted. “So, you know that Max was framed, but still side with the people who want to destroy him. Is that what you mean by love?”
Unexpectedly, Amber shrugged her shoulders lightly.
“It is precisely because of love that I keep that fact a secret. I’ll do anything to keep you two apart.”
Gabriella’s head began to shake in disbelief. “You’re crazy. A sane woman wouldn’t want the man she loves to suffer.”
“Max won’t suffer. He’s a great guy. I’m sure he can handle the problems in Quebracha, as long as no weight drags him down his path.”
Realizing that Amber’s eyes had narrowed towards her, the host spontaneously gulped.
“I’m not a burden to Max. He wouldn’t be able to survive without me,” the pale woman said in a trembling voice.
Hearing that defense, Amber laughed again. “You’re shameless, aren’t you?”
A second later, Amber walked over to the family photo hanging not far from them. With a thin curve of her lips, she provoked Gabriella to look in the same direction.
“Ask Max what his purpose in life is! He’ll definitely answer bringing up Quebracha’s name.”
Amber paused for a moment, observing the opponent’s expression from the corner of her eyes. Finding the woman beside her holding back a rumbling breath, her lips secretly curled up.
“What kind of woman hinders her husband’s success? Should I call it selfish?” Amber continued, adding to the pressure.
In just an instant, Gabriella lowered her head to hide the tears. Her fists were tightly clenched, trying desperately to control the senses. However, her heart was too fragile to endure the sadness.
“Be aware, Gabriella,” Amber said Amber, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “The name of Evans doesn’t really suit you. Let go of Max and let him pursue his dreams. You know how much he wants his father’s approval.”
Gabriella closed her eyes, contemplating the undeniable words. For the first time, she agreed with Amber. Gabriella thought, she was really not comparable to Max’s dream.
“I know you have three days to think. But shouldn’t you have left this house already? Why put off something that is determined? You’re not the selfish woman I mentioned earlier, are you?”
A second later, Gabriella began to have trouble breathing. Amber’s honesty had become a thorn in her chest. Before the haughty lady could see her weak side, she rushed into the room and locked the door.
With hands over the mouth, Gabriella wept. Even though she was pounding her chest, her breath was still blocked and the tears were still flowing. The woman realized that a very frightening decision was at hand. She had to leave Max.
***
“Is Gabriella ready, Auntie?” the man asked, hurrying into the house.
“I don’t know, Sir. Madam has locked herself in her room since talking to Miss Amber.”
Hearing the waiter’s answer, Max’s steps suddenly stopped. “Amber came here?”
With furrowed brows, the old woman nodded. “Yes, Sir. Forgive me for failing to stop it,” Minnie said before looking down.
In just an instant, the joy vanished from the man’s face. After wiggling his eyeballs, he hurried up the stairs.
“What else did that sly woman say? Tsk, she should be careful if Gabriella is sad because of her venomous tongue.”
Wasting no time, Max burst into the room. His hands were clenched tightly, ready to avenge Amber’s treatment if his wife really fell. However, as soon as he saw Gabriella turn her head with a charming make-up, the heavy air immediately left his lungs.
“Max?” the round-eyed woman sighed. A second later, she stood up and spread her arms. “Does this dress suit me? I’m confused which dress to wear tonight.”
After watching his wife from head to toe, Max lifted the corners of his lips. “I can’t take my eyes off you, Gaby.”
The woman’s lips curled up, though heavy. “You are praising too much,” the woman mumbled before lowering her gaze.
“So, are you ready for tonight?” Max asked as he walked over.
“A little bit more. You still have time to get ready,” Gabriella said, pointing to the bathroom.
Seeing his wife so excited, Max suddenly forgot about Amber’s arrival, which he had been talking about earlier. Without the slightest bit of suspicion, the man grabbed Gabriella’s finger and landed a soft kiss on it.
“Then, wait a moment. I will also be charming so that your eyes won’t turn away from me.”
Gabriella spontaneously snorted hearing her husband’s seduction. After a moment of silence, she urged the man to get ready. “Hurry up! Don’t let me change my mind.”
With a chuckle, Max stepped back and disappeared behind the door. He couldn’t wait to make the best night in the history of his life.
Unbeknownst to the man, as soon as the door closed, his wife revealed her true expression. The sad eyes had started to tear up. After swallowing hard, the woman whispered heartbreaking words.
“Sorry, Max. This is the best thing I can give you. The night that will be your last sweet memory with me.”
***
“Why did you take Smiley and Snowy? I thought this is going to be a special night for both of us,” Gabriella said, occasionally furrowing her brows at the back seat.
“Are you bothered?” Max teased while laughing lightly.
“No. I’m just surprised,” the woman said, shaking her head with round eyes.
Seeing that adorable expression, Max’s hand moved to grab his wife’s fingers. Unexpectedly, Gabriella locked the grip warmly.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked in a soft voice. Max’s heart felt lighter because of it.
“To a place you really want to go,” the man replied still harboring a mystery.
A second later, Gabriella narrowed her eyes. “Is that place more beautiful than a flower garden?”
Max smirked at the guess. “That place will make you hold me so tight that you won’t let go.”
Hearing the overconfident statement, the woman spontaneously snorted. “You’re not going to handcuff my hands behind your back, are you?”
“No. But you’re the one who’s going to beg me to do that.”
Gabriella’s brows suddenly furrowed even deeper. “How come?”
“Because I will make you fall in love so many times that you won’t be able to stay away from me.”
In just an instant, the curve of the woman’s lips turned stiff. Her husband’s words had reminded her of the great fear. Gabriella’s worries were almost unstoppable.
“Can I leave you? Am I able to live even though I am no longer with you?” she thought as she held her breath.
Gabriella didn’t dare imagine what her life would be without Max Evans.