Gabriela remained where she was, unable to move. The chill from the marble floor spread through her body, making her tremble. For a moment, she thought about storming inside.
Her hand reached the handle, but her thoughts cleared at the last second. Instead, she stepped back, headed downstairs, and made a call.
"Prepare a divorce agreement for me," she said in an even tone.
She knew she couldn't confront Alexander just yet.
If she caused a scene now, things would only get messier. She needed evidence first if she wanted the divorce to go smoothly.
After the call, she checked into a hotel and dropped onto the bed, exhaustion weighing her down.
With her eyes shut, she started thinking about how everything between her and Alexander had come to this.
Back in college, they were inseparable. When they married, everyone talked about how the Marsh heir gave up his wild ways for her, the campus queen.
Even so, no one in his family truly supported their marriage. His parents, in particular, never hid their disapproval. They looked down on her background and believed he would eventually return to his old habits once the excitement faded.
Gabriela chose not to believe any of it. Now, she had to face what that trust had cost her.
In the end, she realized, men were all the same. Didn't matter what promises they'd made.
She had already noticed how distant Alexander became after the wedding. She kept believing her love would change him, but now she knew she had been wrong.
Emotions crashed over Gabriela in waves, and she didn't even notice the moment she fell asleep. By the time she woke the next morning, a deep exhaustion weighed heavily on her.
Still, she steadied herself, put on a composed front, and went to work.
When she reached the office, Alexander had arrived ahead of her.
She placed the divorce papers among a pile of documents and walked to his office, knocking lightly.
"Alexander, I have a few files that need your signature."
The secretary, who arrived late, didn't manage to stop her in time.
As the door stood partly open, Gabriela caught sight of the young woman pulling away from Alexander, fixing her skirt while gathering the papers scattered around.
Seeing the secretary's startled expression, Gabriela quietly shut the door and passed the documents over.
"I just remembered I left my coffee in the break room. Can you bring these in for me?"
She turned and walked away, letting out a slow breath as she fought down the wave of nausea rising in her throat.
By the time she came back with her coffee, the office looked completely ordinary again.
Still, the smear of lipstick on Alexander's collar, the pink plush toy near his desk, and the bold gaze peeking from behind the lounge door made it clear what had happened.
"So quick to return?" Alexander said as he signed the documents with ease.
"I sent you a message earlier, and I tried calling too. You didn't pick up, so I figured you were occupied," Gabriela answered while passing the documents over.
Alexander paused briefly, then leaned back and gave her a relaxed smile. "You rarely go abroad. Haven't you always wanted to visit that country? You could've stayed longer and enjoyed it. After all, it's my family's money."
A cold smile tugged at Gabriela's lips. It wasn't the first time Alexander had looked down on her, using the fact that her family's company depended on his as a reason to diminish her.
"It didn't live up to what I expected. Some things just lose their appeal once they're within reach."
Alexander's brows drew together as he looked at her more closely. Something about her felt off after this trip. Just as he was about to question it, his phone vibrated and cut him off.
After glancing at the message, he signed the papers quickly without checking them. "Remember the family dinner the day after tomorrow. Mom enjoys your seafood chowder, so make it ahead of time."
He slid the documents back to her with a faint smirk. "Try harder this time. Cooking's the only thing you do well."
Gabriela looked at him in silence as he spoke to her so casually, without any concern for how his words sounded.
He understood exactly how much work that dish required. From picking out fresh seafood to cleaning it carefully and adjusting the heat step by step, every part demanded effort.
That meal was the only reason she managed to gain a place in his family.
Alexander had often said that if it weren't for his love for her, someone like her wouldn't even have the chance to marry into his family.
Back then, love had kept her from speaking up, no matter how tired she became.
Now, after his betrayal, everything she had given felt meaningless.
She took the documents in one hand, avoided his gaze, gave no response, and started toward the door.
Without warning, Alexander reached out and grabbed her waist. "Ella, now that you're back, we could..."
Remembering what he had done in the office, Gabriela pulled away in disgust the instant he touched her.
She kept her voice steady. "I still have work."
His face darkened. "Don't act like this. I don't have time for your attitude."
"The company comes first. I can't delay anything," Gabriela replied in a calm, formal tone before walking out.
Left alone, Alexander stared after her, his jaw tightening in irritation.
The fact that she had insisted on staying untouched before marriage had always bothered him. Since they were now married, he intended to tear down that restraint and make her yield to him completely one day.
Once she stepped out of the office, Gabriela went over her tasks with her coworkers, ensured everything was settled, and then headed down to the underground parking area.
There, she unexpectedly spotted Alexander's car parked beside hers, and the movement inside drew her attention.
Curiosity made her glance through the window, only to find the two people inside tangled together in an intimate act.
Without a second thought, she took out her phone and snapped a photo of their shameless closeness.
Now that she had proof of his betrayal, she saw no reason to remain. She got into her car and drove off without looking back.
The passing headlights caught Alexander's attention, prompting him to glance outside as the vehicle pulled away. It seemed strangely familiar to him.
Could that have been Gabriela's car?
A chill spread through him at the thought.
He couldn't tell if it truly belonged to Gabriela or if she had already seen everything.
"Alex..." The woman in his arms lifted her head, confusion in her voice. "What's wrong?"
Alexander's mood faded almost instantly. "That's enough for today."
He rushed back home, only to find Gabriela already in the bedroom. She rested against the headboard, calm, with a facial mask covering her face.
Watching her closely, he searched for any sign that she knew the truth.
Before, Gabriela would always wait for him downstairs, no matter how late it was. Today, her behavior felt off, and it unsettled him.
He moved closer and reached for her, intending to pull her into his arms, but she immediately pulled away.