Gabriel was thrown back into his dark, cold cell, his body bruised and battered. The guards had shown no mercy, following Queen Seraphina's orders to the letter. They took turns flogging him, their harsh laughter echoing off the stone walls. He had barely any strength left, yet he forced himself to stay conscious, unwilling to give them the satisfaction of seeing him break. After the beatings, they chained him up, suspending his arms so he couldn’t lie down. The heavy chains cut into his wrists, but he bit down hard, swallowing his pain. As if that wasn’t enough, cold water was splashed on him, drenching him, making the chill seep deep into his bones. It was all part of the queen’s relentless torment. Meanwhile, Thelma watched from the shadows, her heart aching. Her mother’s cruelty had gone too far. But she had been powerless to stop it, her powers restricted under strict orders from Seraphina. She clenched her fists, unable to bear seeing Gabriel in this condition any longer. Gath
In the dimly lit hall of Noctura, Seraphina’s laughter echoed against the stone walls, her eyes gleaming with a sadistic delight. Gabriel stirred, groaning as he slowly regained consciousness. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the sight before him—Seraphina, standing there with a mocking grin, her shoulders shaking with laughter.“Why are you laughing?” he asked, his voice hoarse, barely masking his confusion. “Do I look amusing to you, lying here wrecked like this?”“Not really,” Seraphina replied, her lips curling. “Actually, I played a little trick earlier, and it seems to be working. I can hear the cries echoing all around. They’re devastated… those weak humans.”Gabriel frowned, trying to process her words. “What do you mean?”She stepped closer, her dark eyes glinting as she leaned down, speaking in a low, deliberate tone. “I gave you a claim mark,” she said, her fingers lightly brushing his arm. “It’s imprinted right there, on your skin.”Gabriel’s eyes widened as he looked
Gabriel’s eyes remained steady as he faced Thelma. Her expression was tense, eyes flickering with a mix of urgency and despair. She had tried reasoning with him, threatening him, yet he stood firm, his gaze unwavering. “Gabriel, this is the last chance you’d get. Forever,” Thelma's voice trembled, but it was clear she meant every word.Gabriel let out a slow breath. “Let it be so. Please, go save your mother. She doesn’t deserve to die at my expense.”Thelma blinked as if she hadn’t expected such calmness. Her eyes, filled with confusion, fixed on him. “The life is ebbing from you,” she said, stepping closer. “And my mother… for her to be restored, she needs the magical ring you’re putting on.” Gabriel glanced down at the ring, a simple yet powerful artifact, now glinting in the dim light. He looked back up at her, his lips curling into a sad smile. Without a word, he slowly slid the ring off his finger and held it out to her. “You can use it to save her.”Thelma was stunned. “Are y
Gabriel's return was like a sudden burst of light piercing through the darkness that had settled in the room where his body was laid before he left, making his way downstairs. His family had been sitting in silence in the living room, weighed down by a sense of gloom, each lost in their thoughts when his voice echoed softly from the doorway."I'm back," Gabriel said, his tone gentle but firm, as though those two words were enough to bring peace to the chaos that had lingered. Everyone's heads snapped up, eyes widening in disbelief. Camella was the first to react, tears spilling down her cheeks as she rushed toward him. "Gabriel! You're...you're here!" she choked out, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Yes, I'm here," he whispered, holding her close. "I’m back, and everything is going to be alright." Soon, the others joined in, surrounding him, their faces a mix of relief, joy, and astonishment. Marie, his mother, was tearful as she cupped his face, studying him as if she couldn
The day of Camella’s delivery was a difficult one. The air was thick with tension, and Gabriel paced the hospital corridor, his face lined with worry. His heart pounded each time he heard footsteps approach, hoping for news. Dan stood beside him, trying his best to calm him down."She's strong, Gabriel. She'll get through this," Dan said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Zoe nodded in support. "Remember how well she did with Jessie? She can do it again."Gabriel nodded but his eyes were distant, full of concern. "I know, but this is different. The doctors said there were complications. It wasn’t like this with Jessie."Dan sighed. "Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but she’s in good hands. You have to trust that."Time dragged on, each minute feeling like an hour. Then, finally, the door to the delivery room opened, and the doctor emerged. His expression was serious, almost grave, and Gabriel's heart sank."Doctor, is she okay? Is the baby okay?" Gabriel asked, his voice almost bre
"Get lost from our sight, you good-for-nothing bastard!” The angry voice of a woman broke the serenity of the environment. In the McConnell House, a young man, Gabriel, was seen going down on his knees before his parents-in-law, desperation etched into his features. "Please, mother-in-law…"“Don't you dare refer to me as that," Nora, his mother-in-law barked, glaring at him.“Also me. I have no relationship with you," a man declared. He was Mikelson, Gabriel's father-in-law. Gabriel, swallowing hard, rephrased. “Please. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell, I need your help. I wouldn't ask if it weren't for my daughter, Jessie. She needs treatment urgently."Nora, with arms crossed and a cold glare, responded sharply, "You think you can come crawling back here after all these years? You've done nothing but bring misery to Camella and now you expect us to bail you out?"Mikelson, sitting with a stern expression, added bitterly, "I told Camella not to marry you. I knew you were no good. And now loo
Thoughts of the Wellington family flooded Gabriel's mind, causing a sour expression to contort his face. He swiftly dismissed the notion of seeking their aid.The Wellingtons reign among the nation's top influential families and procuring three thousand dollars from them would be a walk in the park for Gabriel. But he refused to stoop to such measures.Due to his father's involvement in his mother's demise, Gabriel had cut all ties with his family and chosen to live solitary for the past seven years. He had not laid eyes on them since.As a result of his crippling business collapse and his daughter's frail health, he was forced to turn to relatives and friends for loans, only to be met with disdain from his in-laws. Even his wife, Camella, gradually lost faith in him amidst their financial struggles.While plagued with worry and contemplation, a woman approached him. Her figure was stunning and her face alluring, captivating any man's soul. Her luscious ebony hair cascaded behind her a
Butler Moore was thrilled. “What help do you seek, master?" His words hung heavy in the air, causing Gabriel to pause, torn between his desperation for his daughter's well-being and his reluctance to reenter the world of the Wellington family business."Stop calling me, master, Butler Moore," Gabriel requested firmly, his eyes darting nervously towards the door of the ward where his wife and daughter awaited."I need your assistance," Gabriel reiterated, his resolve evident despite the internal turmoil raging within him.Butler Moore's response was swift and unwavering. "What do you want? Tell me, and you'll have it in an instant."Gabriel hesitated, his mind racing as he grappled with the weight of the offer before him. "I need some money. About five thousand dollars only..."Butler Moore's interruption was unexpected, his offer surpassing Gabriel's request by a staggering amount. "I can make it 5 million dollars. You'll get whatever you want if you can just do one thing, master."Gab