Chapter 3
Gabriella’s POV
Life became simple after that. Charlotte spent her days flaunting their relationship on social media, while Kayden kept up his cold shoulder act. This time, I refused to play his game of making me chase his approval.
A month later, Charlotte announced her pregnancy.
Kayden was over the moon, eager to share their news with everyone. Wedding preparations quickly took over the Taylor mansion as they fast–tracked their ceremony.
In this life, it was his beloved carrying his child, and I was determined to let them have their happiness.
Once my paperwork cleared, I booked a one–way ticket to Italy – departing the day of their wedding.
Kayden finally confronted me when Charlotte was out. He barged into my room, waving his phone
like a weapon.
“So, what’s this I hear about you dipping into your trust fund? My lawyer tells me you’re planning a little European adventure.” He smirked. “Classic. Getting all ‘Eat, Pray, Love‘ because you can’t deal with my wedding?”
My heart skipped, but his assumption helped ease my tension.
Seeing my silence, his tone turned icy. “Are you done with this attitude, Gabriella? A whole month of ghosting me- what, were you planning to keep this up forever if I didn’t come to you?”
“Ever since Charlotte moved in, you’ve been acting like we don’t exist. She’s the woman I love – if you actually cared about me, you’d make an effort with her too, not hide away like some teenager.”
“You can’t avoid us forever. What’s your brilliant plan after we’re married? Keep playing this avoidance game?”
I shook my head. “You’ve got it wrong, Kayden. I see you only as my guardian. Nothing more than gratitude.”
He laughed mockingly. “Gratitude? Come on, Gabriella. You’re not fooling anyone – least of all yourself.”
22.2
Chapter 3
His eyes landed on my desk, lips curling. “Look at this shrine of every gift I’ve given you, and you’re really going to sit there and tell me you don’t have feelings for me?”
He walked over, picking up each item. “Pack these away. I’m marrying Charlotte – time to drop the fantasy. Blood–related or not, it’s never happening between us.”
“Charlotte’s pregnant now. Seeing these might stress her out, and I won’t risk anything happening to my wife and baby.”
I nodded, casually sweeping everything into a storage box. I’d planned to trash them before leaving
anyway.
Kayden’s expression darkened at my indifference, grabbing my hand. “Jesus, be careful! You just broke the rabbit charm on this hairpin!”
I glanced at the rabbit hairpin – his first gift after my parents‘ death, when he, their closest friend, took me in. For years, I’d treated it like a precious jewel, not letting anyone near it.
Now, watching me toss it carelessly into the box seemed to bother him more than me.
“Really? This whole ‘I’m totally over it‘ act? Who do you think you’re kidding?” He shook his head. “You’re so broken up about my wedding that you’re literally fleeing the country, and here you are playing Miss Independent.”
“Though maybe some time away isn’t the worst idea – Charlotte’s in a delicate state. Better you’re not here making things weird.”
He pulled out his phone, making a transfer. “Here’s $100,000. Go find yourself in Europe or whatever. Come back in a month when Charlotte’s pregnancy is more stable.”
His gaze lingered. “Try not to pine too much while you’re gone. You’ll need to get used to me being a married man. Otherwise, it’s going to be real awkward around here.”
He rattled off some travel safety advice like I was still a kid, completely oblivious to the truth.
He didn’t know I’d been reborn.
And this time, I was leaving for good.
On Kayden’s wedding day, while the Taylor mansion buzzed with preparation, I quietly slipped out the back door with my suitcase.
As my Uber pulled away, I didn’t look back.
