Chapter 4 One Sharp Insult After Another

Gabriela's brows drew together as she glanced at her phone, ignoring every missed call from Alexander.

"Ella, you cannot go soft on that heartless jerk and forgive him!" Lindsay's angry voice came from behind her.

The sudden shout made Gabriela flinch. She took a moment to compose herself, then lowered her gaze.

"Don't worry. It's really over between us."

Hearing the certainty in her tone, Lindsay gave a satisfied nod. "That's more like it! I'm starving. Let me take you out for a quick breakfast."

She pressed her fingers to her temples, clearly still groggy from her hangover.

"I'm afraid I can't," Gabriela said apologetically. "I have to return to his family home now."

Lindsay's eyes widened in shock. "Didn't you just say it's over? Don't tell me-"

"It's not what you think." Gabriela shook her head, understanding Lindsay's concern. "I already agreed to have lunch with his grandmother today. Whatever is going on between him and me is separate. His grandmother has always treated me well. I don't want to disappoint her."

Lindsay fell quiet, studying her face with worry. "I'm just afraid that scumbag might try something to hurt you."

"It'll be okay," Gabriela said gently, reaching out to pat her shoulder in reassurance.

After getting ready, Gabriela headed back to the Marshes'.

The moment she stepped into the living room, her eyes landed on Alexander's mistress. The woman was seated on the sofa, chatting brightly and laughing with his mother and elder sister. They looked perfectly at ease together.

Lynda Marsh, Alexander's mother, held Kylie's hand, her face lit with warmth and approval.

"You're such a lovely girl. If only Alexander had met you sooner," Lynda said, her gaze shifting meaningfully toward Gabriela.

Gabriela showed no reaction to the familiar, subtle insult. Lynda had never approved of her, and that had long been clear.

There was a time when it had left her feeling small and helpless, when she had tried everything to earn her place as a proper daughter-in-law. But now, none of it held any weight. The only thing she wanted was to end this marriage as soon as possible.

"Gabriela, you're part of the family now. Where are your manners? Why are you standing there without a word? Can't you even greet us?"

Reclining lazily on the sofa, Caitlin Marsh, Alexander's sister, cast her a look full of disdain. The moment she noticed Gabriela's empty hands, her expression turned even colder.

"Where's the seafood chowder I told you to prepare?" she demanded with a condescending tone, as if she were addressing hired help rather than a sister-in-law.

"I didn't make it," Gabriela answered.

The detached response made Caitlin hesitate, unsure if she had heard correctly.

Her eyes swept over Gabriela from head to toe, confirming it was indeed her. And yet, something felt off.

The Gabriela she knew would never have dared to speak this way. She had always tried to please everyone in the household, even taking on chores meant for the staff.

Had she lost her senses, or did she think that marrying Alexander gave her the pass to change?

Caitlin's gaze hardened. "You can't even manage something so simple. What good are you? I told Alex not to marry you, but who knows what schemes you used to make him go through with it."

Gabriela had heard such cutting remarks countless times before. They no longer had the power to hurt her. In the past, she would have endured it quietly just to keep peace within the family, but that version of her was gone.

"No matter how useless I may seem, at least I'm not someone who plots endlessly and still can't secure a husband, then turns around to take it out on her sister-in-law," Gabriela said with a faint, mocking smile.

"How dare you!" Caitlin's face flushed a deep red. Her body shook with anger as she glared at her.

What had gotten into Gabriela today? How could she talk back so boldly. She even threw such humiliating words at her? Did she not fear Alexander finding out?

"How could you say something like that to Caitlin?" Kylie cut in, her brows knitting together as she spoke in reproach.

She struck a righteous pose. "Caitlin only spoke that way because she considers you family and wants you to do better."

Her soft voice brushed away everything Gabriela had endured, twisting the situation until Gabriela appeared to be the one at fault.

With Kylie backing her up, Caitlin grew even more aggressive, hurling one sharp insult after another without restraint.

"That's exactly why I like you, Kylie. You're thoughtful and reasonable. Not like someone who came from nothing, knew nothing, yet got lucky marrying into this family and living off my brother. And still, she acts wronged all the time, as if we've ever treated her badly!"

Caitlin twisted the truth, her voice thick with mockery. Kylie nodded along, quietly agreeing with every word.

Gabriela's lips curled into a mocking smile. Her sharp gaze moved past Caitlin then settled on Kylie.

She didn't say a single word, yet the chill around her was unmistakable, pressing down on the room.

Kylie held her gaze for a brief second then she faltered. She quickly looked away and instinctively stepped closer to Caitlin.

Caitlin was just about to continue when the sound of footsteps cut her off. Alexander walked in.

"Alex..." Kylie's face brightened at once. Without a second thought, she left Caitlin's side, rushed toward him, and wrapped her hands around his arm.

Gabriela's eyes flickered to where Kylie clung to him, but she said nothing.

Alexander noticed. Almost instinctively, he tried to free his arm, but Kylie held on, refusing to let go.

"Alex," she called softly, her voice laced with feigned vulnerability.

He paused, then slowly stopped resisting.

A trace of victory flashed in Kylie's eyes as she turned to look at Gabriela.

Gabriela caught the challenge in that glance, but she chose not to respond.

Caitlin watched her closely. Her lips curled with disdain at Gabriela's composed expression.

She refused to believe it. A woman who loved Alexander that deeply could never accept another woman by his side so easily.

She felt like Gabriela had to be burning with jealousy and was forcing herself to stay calm on the surface.

She let out a scoff, already preparing to tear apart that fragile act.

"Alex, Kylie is our honored guest. You should know how to treat her properly," Caitlin said, her eyes fixed on Gabriela, searching for even the slightest crack in her calm.

But Gabriela did not react. Her face remained still, showing no emotion.

Kylie accepted Caitlin's support with a gentle smile, her voice soft and sweet.

"Caitlin, I heard from Alex that you've been looking for a bottle of '45 DRC. My father once received a bottle as a gift, so I brought it today for you."

"Really?" Caitlin's eyes widened with excitement, disbelief written all over her.

She had spent five long years searching for that very bottle. The last time one appeared at auction had been years ago, and the final bid had climbed to five hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Back then, she had not been able to afford it, and the regret had lingered ever since.

"Alex, could you pass it to Caitlin for me?" Kylie said sweetly, leaning closer to Alexander in a way that felt far too intimate.

Caitlin quickly took the bottle, holding it tightly with joy. Her approval of Kylie soared instantly.

"This is too precious," she said with delight, then cast a glance at Gabriela, whose continued silence was beginning to annoy her.

"Gabriela should really learn from you, Kylie. She comes from nothing and can't support Alex in any way. She can't even handle something as simple as making seafood chowder."

Alexander's brow furrowed at Caitlin's mocking tone. "Caitlin, that's enough."

Before he could continue, Lynda cut in coldly, "Was anything she said wrong?"