Chapter 2 Marcus who is Helen's ex began to manipulate her

HELEN OPENS A BOUTIQUE FOUR MONTHS LATER

Scene: Four Months Later – Helen's Boutique

The boutique buzzed with soft music and the elegant chatter of customers. Helen stood near the window, one hand gently cradling her now-showing baby bump. Her glow wasn't just maternal-it was the fire of a woman building her dream, one dress and design at a time.

But even in her success, Gabriel lingered in her thoughts.She would sit in the quiet of her office after closing hours, dialing his number, her fingers trembling slightly before hitting "call." Sometimes she'd hang up after one ring. Other times, she'd let it connect.

"Hey," she'd say softly when he answered, that familiar husky voice sending a rush of emotions through her. They talked about everything-her boutique, his growing charity projects, the books they used to read at night during their contract marriage. And sometimes... they said nothing. Just shared the silence, as if they were still lying side by side in that grand mansion.

Gabriel never asked about her pregnancy. Maybe he didn't suspect. Maybe he was waiting for her to tell him.

She was almost ready.Until Marcus appeared

Helen's Apartment – Night

A knock on the door startled Helen. She opened it to find Marcus-her ex-boyfriend-standing with flowers and a crooked smile.

"Helen," he said, stepping forward with practiced charm. "You look... radiant."

She stiffened. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard about the baby," he said. "And I've been thinking a lot about us. About what we lost. I made mistakes, I know... but I want to make things right."

Helen eyed him suspiciously. Marcus had never been the apologizing type.

And then he showed her the photo-Gabriel at a café, seated across from a beautiful woman.

"She's been seen with him multiple times. Word is, they're getting serious."

Helen stared at the photo, her throat tightening. She wanted to scream that it didn't matter, but it did. It shattered something fragile that had just started to rebuild.

That night, when Gabriel called, she let the phone ring. And ring. And ring.

She didn't answer.

Scene: Days Later – Boutique Office

Marcus became a frequent visitor, always dropping by with gifts, compliments, and promises. He made her laugh sometimes, and part of her wanted to believe he'd changed. But her heart remained cautious, her mind often drifting back to Gabriel-his eyes, his gentleness, the honesty in his pain.

Marcus watched her closely, always a little too interested in the boutique's finances, asking about the accounts, her investors. She dismissed it at first. But then small things started going missing. Orders were delayed. Money was unaccounted for.Marcus slowly began to study the business passwords,nature of transactions and so many other things so that he can know how he can keep stealing.

Still, Helen stayed silent. Her heart was too bruised, too confused. She missed Gabriel terribly but felt betrayed. And Marcus... at least he was here.But she never really felt deep love for Marcus.

But something inside her, some instinct honed by heartbreak and rebirth, wouldn't let her fall completely. Not yet.

Scene: Gabriel's Apartment – Evening

Gabriel stared at his phone, listening to Helen's last voicemail.

"I miss you. Maybe I was just scared to love you the way you deserve... but I'm not afraid anymore."

He closed his eyes, jaw tight. He hadn't seen anyone else. The photo was a misunderstanding-his business consultant from Paris.

He had to find her. He had to tell her the truth.

Because love... real love... didn't end at goodbye.

Scene: Gabriel's Apartment – Night

The soft replay of Helen's voicemail echoed in the room like a lullaby he couldn't let go of. Gabriel sat on the edge of his couch, fingers clenched tightly around the phone, eyes clouded with memory and ache.

"I miss you. Maybe I was just scared to love you the way you deserve... but I'm not afraid anymore."

The words filled him, warmed him-and yet, they hurt just as much. He hadn't stopped thinking about her. About the boutique. The baby. About how much of his world she still unknowingly carried.

The front door creaked open.

"Gabriel?" came the smooth, commanding voice of Victoria Thorne, his mother, impeccably dressed in navy and pearls. Her heels clicked against the floor as she entered, eyes narrowing when she saw the distant look on her son's face.

He didn't look up. "What are you doing here, Mother?"

"I was nearby. Thought I'd check on my son who's clearly unraveling over a woman who doesn't deserve him." She paused, watching the phone in his hand. "Still listening to that voicemail? How many times does one need to hear lies before they accept them as truth?"

Gabriel sighed heavily. "You don't know her."

"I know women like her," Victoria said coldly, sitting across from him. "She married you for your money, Gabriel. You said it yourself-contract marriage, remember? The moment it ended, she ran. No calls. No letters. And now you're chasing a ghost."

He looked at her sharply. "The contract was a front. We made that choice together. But what we found... wasn't fake."

Victoria's face darkened. "You think it wasn't. That's what women like her do-wrap themselves in vulnerability and make men like you feel like heroes. And now she's pregnant, alone, and you want to play savior again?"

Gabriel stood, pacing. "That baby could be mine."

"And it could be Marcus'," Victoria snapped. "You think she hasn't moved on? Haven't you seen the pictures? Do you know who she lets into her boutique every day?"

Gabriel flinched. "I've seen the pictures. And I still trust her more than I trust what's being shown to me."

Victoria softened, just a touch. "Darling... I love you. But you need someone who's of your world. A woman who understands legacy, business, society. I've already spoken with the Caldwells. Their daughter, Elise-"

"I'm not interested," he cut her off, voice firm.

"You should be," she replied sharply. "She's educated, poised, from a family of influence. She wouldn't run off and disappear. She wouldn't hide from you."

But Gabriel's eyes had gone far away again-back to Helen's laugh, the way she touched fabrics like they were alive, the strength in her silence. He could still feel the way she whispered his name in the dark.

"She didn't run from me," he said quietly. "She ran from herself. From her fear. I know what that feels like."

Victoria stood, frustrated, brushing invisible lint from her coat. "So you're going to chase her? Be the fool?"

Gabriel looked her in the eye. "I'd rather be a fool in love than a puppet of control."

She froze for a moment. Then, with a clipped nod, she turned and walked out, her perfume lingering like tension in the air.

Scene: Upscale Lounge – Late Evening

The dimly lit lounge was filled with low jazz music, clinking glasses, and the kind of luxury that whispered secrets instead of shouting them. Gabriel sat at a corner table, sipping a glass of scotch, his mind heavy with thoughts of Helen-how she used to curl up beside him, how she laughed at his worst jokes, how she disappeared into silence without a word.

That's when Marcus approached.

Suited up, slick-smiled, and oozing a charm Gabriel instantly distrusted.

"Gabriel Thorne right?" Marcus extended a hand. "Name's Marcus. I believe we have a mutual interest."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow but shook his hand. "Do I know you?"

"Not personally," Marcus said, sliding into the seat across from him without being invited. "But I know Helen. Very well."

Gabriel's body stiffened.

Marcus continued, leaning in like he was sharing something confidential. "You see, I dated her before you. And I thought you should know... that baby she's carrying? It's not yours."

Gabriel blinked, caught between disbelief and fury. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Marcus smirked, pulling out a doctored text thread and a manipulated photo of Helen with another man-laughing, holding hands.

"She was with him before you even signed the marriage contract. She was... well, let's say she had multiple incomes."

Gabriel's jaw clenched. "What are you trying to say?"

"She's been with men. For money. That's her thing. Boutique's just a cover. I thought you deserved the truth, man. You don't need to play hero for someone who was never real with you."

Gabriel's heart thudded in his chest. He wanted to scream that Marcus was lying, that Helen wasn't like that. But doubt crept in like smoke-choking, blinding.

She hadn't picked up his calls. She never told him about the baby. And now... this?

Gabriel stood abruptly, his scotch untouched.

"Thanks," he said stiffly. "For the truth."