Chapter 5 Her Dimming Marriage.

Gabriel didn't know how to tell his feelings.

The woman standing before him was clearly the same, yet the aura around her had suddenly shifted.

Earlier in the day she had been pleading with him, trying to vie for his attention like a hungry whore and now here she was, acting like an arrogant lioness.

But most of all, he wondered why his heart ached when Leonica spoke of divorce with such conviction.

Wasn't her willingness to divorce exactly what he wanted?

"Gabe, I...I think I should leave. I-I don't want to see you two fighting because of me." Angelina's voice pulled him out of his mind. The little woman hung her head low in his arms, trying to restrain her trembling.

"Stay here." He tried to reassure Angelina but got Leonica scoffed. Gabriel shot his angry gaze to his wife again.

Angelina suppressed her smile and continued her act, "N-no. I think I should leave."

She said and quickly turned around to get dressed. However, when she just took a few steps from Gabriel, she acted wobbly and suddenly collapsed to the floor, pretending to faint.

"Angelina!" Gabriel called out, alarmed and worried, as he rushed to her side.

When his words failed to bring a reaction from her, Gabriel quickly picked her up in his arms, turning around, and shoving Leonica out of his way as he rushed out of the room.

Leonica who was still blankly rooted in her spot, watched her husband hurry out with his mistress. There was nothing but sadness in her heart. Gabriel had never cared for her like that.

The last of her will for trying to make the marriage work, dying out like a dimming candle.

Placing her hand on her stomach, she lowered her voice and quietly apologized.

"Little one, I'm sorry I won't tell your father about you. When you come into this world, please don't be too angry at Mommy."

** **

After leaving the house, Garbiel had rushed to the nearest hospital and had Angelina admitted and checked up on. Only after hearing that she was in good condition did Gabriel relax.

Taking one last look at Angelina's sleeping form, Gabriel exited the hospital.

The doctor said Angelina seemed to be over-stressed and needed a good rest and to stay in a good mood. Gabriel knew he'd better accompany her for the night, however, Leonica’s face kept flashing in his mind and he just couldn't stop it.

Damn! When it was clear that Leonica was the one who fooled Grandma and forced Angelina to break up with him, how dare she still try to fool him with that feigned innocent face?

He needed a drink, a stiff one.

A couple of minutes later, he was in the usual place he went each time he needed to forget about his married life. The bar was filled with loud voices. Gabriel had sat in a dark corner, silently nursing a glass of whisky as he stared off into the distance. No one knew what he was thinking but his uninviting aura signaled not to mess with this guy.

"Hello, Gabriel." Sebastian, one of his circle friends, greeted with a slight wave, turning seconds later to order his drink before fixing his attention back on the man who had only acknowledged him with a nod.

"I see you're here drowning yourself in alcohol again." He commented, watching his friend swirl his drink in the glass, then bringing it to his lips and downing it. "What's the occasion this time around? Failed business plans? Family issue?"

"Wife issue. Well, divorce issues to be more specific." Gabriel responded.

"Whoa, you're getting a divorce?" Sebastian raised his brows, a bit shocked at the revelation.

Gabriel nodded with an expressionless face, but why the heck did he hear excitement in Sebastian's tone?

"Damn man. I would have never imagined you being the one getting a divorce." Sebastian mused, a small grin pulling the corner of his mouth. "So does that mean Leonica's gonna be back on the market?"

At the mention of his wife, Gabriel's expression darkened and he turned to look at Sebastian, "What?"

"Don't look so surprised. Leonica is a wonderful woman, but you only have Angelina in your heart. Tough marriage, isn't it?" Sebastian took a sip as he blinked at Gabriel, "Since you're getting a divorce soon, I don't have to be concerned anymore."

"Though Leonica looks a little nerd, she’s got a damn hot body. No man would miss that. I should court her, maybe see what she's made of in bed." Sebastian chuckled, unaware of how his words had angered his friend.

In a split second, Gabriel was up from his chair, knocking it over as he suddenly threw a swift punch at Sebastian's face, not waiting for him to recover before he grabbed Sebastian by the collar and lifted him up from his own seat.

"Gabriel? What the hell?!" Sebastian exclaimed, struggling against Gabriel's hold.

"You'd best watch your mouth, Sebastian. Leonica is still my wife!" He growled.

"Man, you need to calm the fuck down." He huffed, finally freeing himself from Gabriel's hold and strutting away, muttering underneath in the process.

It was obviously Gabriel who first mentioned their divorce and he had just been kidding about Leonica, but why the hell was Gabriel suddenly reacting so hostilely?

Watching him walk away, Gabriel's chest still heaved violently. He had no idea why he was so overreacted.

He must have consumed too much alcohol tonight.

“Take me back to the office.” Gabriel instructed his driver as he stepped out of Club Parish and entered his car.

His driver bowed wordlessly, following his command.

Half an hour later, the driver parked the car in the driveway of his house rather than his office.

"Mr. Bryce, we've arrived."

Gabriel who had temporarily fallen asleep due to the alcohol, opened his eyes at his driver's announcement.

"Why are we here? I remember I said the office." Gabriel asked, rubbing his brow.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bryce." The driver bowed his head and explained, "I heard you calling the name of Mrs. Bryce, and I thought you wanted to go home."

Gabriel paused his hand and said coldly, "You heard wrong."

"And you're dismissed." He instructed, and without another word, walked into his home.

Stumbling up the stairs, he pushed the door to his bedroom open and walked in, stopping when he saw Leonica peacefully sleeping on the bed.

He was so messed up by the events of the night, while she was sleeping so well!