Chapter 15
When Cynthia was first adopted into the Durke family, Daniel disliked this new little sister.
But when he learned about her pitiful childhood experiences in the orphanage, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
As they grew older, feelings developed between them, and they secretly became lovers, a relationship that could never see the light of day.
Eventually, their parents found out. Unwilling to let such a scandal taint the family, they forcibly separated Daniel and Cynthia, and soon after, secretly sent Cynthia abroad.
He couldn’t protect her, and fell into depression and gloom. It was only after that he met Gabriella.
Perhaps because the pain of unrequited love lingers, when Cynthia returned to the country and tearfully confessed her love for him, he actually considered loving Cynthia again behind Gabriella’s back.
What he never expected was that Cynthia had taken money to go abroad, and had never stayed faithful or heartbroken for him–she was having the time of her life.
Her return to find him was nothing more than an attempt to squeeze every last bit of financial value out of him.
And yet, he was foolish enough to hurt Gabriella, the one who loved him most, causing her to leave in disappointment.
Jerome reached out with his small hands, grabbing Gabriella’s wrists,
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his eyes brimming with tears as he pleaded, “Mom, please don’t leave us, okay? I really know I was wrong. I was born with the love of both my parents, so I can never live without you, Mom. You can’t leave me and Dad either, right?”
Gabriella could see that both Daniel and Jerome were sincerely
admitting their mistakes, but she still calmly let go of Jerome’s hands, refusing his touch.
“Jerry, it was you who didn’t want Mom first, remember? There were so many chances before, I could have come back for you, but this time, Mom is really tired.”
Н
She remembered how many times Jerome had pushed her away with sharp words, insisting that he wanted Cynthia to be his mother.
“I want you, Mom, I want you!”
Jerome cried even harder, kneeling on the ground with his back bent, clinging tightly to Gabriella’s leg, sobbing apologies and begging her not to go.
Gabriella’s expression was indifferent, and there was not a trace of affection in her eyes as she looked at Daniel. “Daniel, if everything could start over, then who would repay me for all the pain, slander, and cold violence I’ve endured?”
“That day, at your grand wedding with Cynthia, I was there. I witnessed your vows and your passionate kiss with my own eyes. I personally accepted that watch from you. You said it was just an insignificant watch, and what did it matter if it was given to a servant as a token? It was at that moment that I truly understood what it felt like to have my heart torn apart.‘
”
“You said you loved Cynthia, and I was willing to let you be together,
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my
but my child was innocent. Cynthia’s baby was precious, but didn’t baby deserve to live too? That day, you said with your own mouth to save her baby first, so my baby went to heaven. What you owe me, you could never repay even in hell–don’t you know that!”
Thinking of that poor child, Gabriella became agitated, her eyes reddening with tears.
Daniel’s last shred of hope was shattered.
“So, so you knew everything…”
Everything he had said to Cynthia, Gabriella had heard. And that child -it was his own child too, but at the time, he had chosen to give up without hesitation…
Daniel fell from his wheelchair, dragging his battered legs as he knelt before Gabriella, his hands pressed to the floor, crying silently.
“I’m sorry, Gabriella, I’m so sorry…”
“I’m not even human, I’m an animal. If it weren’t for me, our baby wouldn’t have died, our family wouldn’t have fallen apart. Everything, all of it, is my own fault–I couldn’t control myself…”
His shoulders slumped lower and lower, his sobs growing louder and louder. Gabriella had never seen him so wretched.
But now, faced with his crocodile tears, she couldn’t muster even the slightest bit of sympathy.
Suddenly, she remembered the days six years ago when Daniel was pursuing her.
Back then, she didn’t want him to be with her out of gratitude, so she
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went to volunteer at a B&B.
But Daniel flew thousands of miles to find her.
Every day, rain or shine, he told her jokes to make her laugh, helped her with chores, and stood up to unreasonable guests for her.
Then he went door to door, begging the neighbors to help him propose to her.
He had the children trick her into coming to the beach, and as she walked by, every passerby handed her a rose, until her arms were overflowing.
In front of everyone, he made a solemn vow, promising to give her a simple, carefree life for the rest of their days.
She once thought he truly couldn’t live without her, that his promises would never expire.
But true feelings can change in an instant. After experiencing it herself, she found it impossible to put into words.
Daniel’s sobs did not stop. Gabriella spoke again: “Daniel, let’s get a divorce. Let’s part on good terms–it will be the perfect ending to what was once beautiful.”
Jerome stared blankly ahead, knowing exactly what his mother’s divorce would mean.
It meant he would never have a mother again.
The veins on Daniel’s neck bulged as he closed his eyes in resignation. Only after a long time did he finally agree to Gabriella’s request for a divorce.
