Chapter 14
At the Douglas Manor, Gale‘ s mother sat in her study, her usually composed demeanor slipping as she watched the live broadcast of the press conference unfold on her tablet.
was ou
The room save for the
occasional soft clink of her teacup against.
its saucer.
She saw the pain etched on Gale‘ s face as Lilian publicly declared her love for Brian. and dismissed any lingering ties to him.
For a brief moment, her heart ached for her son. She remembered him as a boy, full of potential and warmth, someone she had believed would one day build a life filled with love and happiness.
But the sentiment was fleeting. Her weary expression returned as she reflected on the years she had spent trying to guide Gale, only for him to reject her efforts time and
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again.
His obsession with Lilian, his neglect of Rachel, and his refusal to face his own faults had brought him to this moment.
“Maybe this is what he needs,” she thought, her resolve hardening. “Perhaps losing everything will finally teach him what truly matters.”
For the first time, she decided to stop trying to save him.
She had exhausted her strength, doing everything in her power to steer him away from his self–destructive tendencies. But Gale had never wanted to be saved.
Back in his house, Gale sat slumped on the couch, the silence pressing down on him like a weight.
His phone buzzed incessantly on the table beside him, lit with a barrage of messages and missed calls. He ignored them all.
His mind was stuck on a loop, replaying
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Lilian’s words over and over. “We are both married, so let’s forget the past.”
It was not just her rejection that stunned him. It was the realization of everything he had lost.
Lilian had walked away to build a life with Brian, and Rachel, his wife, who had once shown him kindness and love despite his flaws, had slipped away quietly.
She had left no trace, only her absence, and the haunting knowledge that she might have stayed if he had only treated her better.
For the first time in years, Gale felt truly, achingly alone.
It was not just the physical isolation of his penthouse; it was the hollow emptiness in his heart.
Regret clawed at him, but it was too late. Rachel was gone, and Lilian had chosen someone else.
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As he sat in his spiraling thoughts, his phone rang again, this time with a familiar name on the screen. His father.
Gale hesitated, then picked it up, bracing
himself.
“Gale,” his father said sternly, wasting no time. “Return to the manor immediately. We need to talk.”
The line went dead before Gale could reply.
**
Meanwhile, across the ocean, I sat in my dorm room, watching the same press.
conference unfold online.
A sense of relief washed over me as I saw the outcome. Everything was going as I had hoped.
Brian, for all his flaws, seemed to
genuinely love Lilian and was fighting to rebuild their relationship.
As for Gale? He deserved that. He needed
to face the consequences of his actions,
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Chapter 14
and I had no intention of getting involved in his life again.
Closing my laptop, I turned my attention back to the life I was building for myself. Italy had become a haven, a fresh start.
My first day at the university felt like the dawn of a new me.
I left the dorm without the heavy weight of expectations and walked the cobbled
streets, dressed however I pleased.
It was a far cry from my first day at RISD, where I had already been Gale‘ s wife.
Back then, I had dressed according to his taste and adhered to the rigid schedule he imposed; breakfast together at precisely 7 a.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and a constant need to account for my whereabouts.
My life had felt like a prison, each moment dictated by someone else. But there in Italy, I was free.
My wardrobe had transformed from
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feminine dresses to simple jeans and t- shirts. I reveled in the simplicity, the comfort of wearing what felt right to me.
No one was waiting for me to prepare their meals, no one cared if I missed breakfast or stayed out late.
My roommate, a lively Londoner, often teased me about my newfound independence.
“Rachel, are you sure you don’t want to go on a blind date?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned against the doorframe of our dorm.
I smirked. “Why would I? You haven’t even found the right person for yourself yet. Why drag me into your mess?”
She laughed, throwing up her hands.
“Well, though I’ll admit, Italian men are quite charming. Perfect for a fling or two.”
I rolled my eyes, pretending to focus on my painting. “Good for you, but I’m not looking for flings or relationships. I‘ m
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focused on my studies.”
“You‘ re so old–fashioned!” she teased, flicking my forehead lightly. “But fine, your loss.”
She grabbed her bag and headed for another of her infamous blind dates, leaving me chuckling to myself.
In Italy, my life had become about. exploration and self–discovery.
I spent my days attending classes, wandering through museums, exploring tourist spots, and immersing myself in art exhibitions.
Evenings were filled with quiet moments, sipping espresso at quaint cafés or working on my assignments.
For the first time in years, I felt truly at peace. I was not bored or lonely, I was
content.
As I read a book one evening, I reflected on how far I had come. My life with Gale had
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been a chapter of confinement, but the new life was mine to shape.
However, as if the past trying to seep into my new life, I suddenly got an email from Minnie Richards.
Minnie had been one of my closest friends during my time at RISD. Though we took different majors, our shared sense of humor and passion for creativity made us fast friends.
After graduation, Minnie had taken a job at the Douglas Group as a creative designer. She had always had a knack for hearing the office gossip, which she often gleefully shared.
Her email was no exception.
[Minnie: Rachel, you changed your
number and didn’t even bother to tell me. How rude! Luckily, I still have your email.
So, where are you now? Your
disappearance from Providence has been like some dramatic soap opera. Should I
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congratulate you on your divorce or not?
Nobody knows if you and Gale are officially
done or not. Fill me in!
But honestly, that’s not why I’m writing. I wanted to tell you about the state of things with Gale.
After the press conference, his father banned him from traveling abroad,
probably to keep him from chasing Lilian, or maybe you.
He has also been demoted from CEO to manager. Can you imagine? The golden boy of the Douglas Group reduced to a desk job.
Everyone at the office says he’s been a mess. His work is all over the place, and he’s clearly not okay. Honestly, Rachel, the whole company’s whispering about it.
Write back, or I’ll keep pestering you until you do. No excuses!]
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