Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Who's Really Insane

Lilah took a wild guess at how long Verity could keep her cool, then cut straight to the point before she even spoke.

"A mental health evaluation, huh?"

She looked Verity dead in the eye and gave a small smile. "Sure, why not."

Verity stole a glance at Aiden and put down her spoon with fake warmth. "Really? Lilah, the doctor's already here-waiting in the infirmary. Gabriel doesn't have much work today. He'll be back soon, just in time to see the results."

"Sounds good to me," Lilah replied without hesitation.

Verity blinked, clearly not expecting her to be this cooperative. She hesitated. "You're actually agreeing?"

Lilah's tone was calm, a little too calm. "Yep. If we're not getting divorced, then I should probably take care of my 'issues,' right?"

This was the same dirty trick Verity had pulled on the original Lilah. Of course, she wasn't going to back down now.

"Great, Lilah. I'll get everything set up."

With a bright smile, Verity waved at a servant to escort Aiden out, then hurried off.

...

Outside the medical room, Lilah paused for a beat before gently pushing the door open.

A white-coat-clad psychiatrist sat behind a desk, clearly distracted.

Verity perched prettily on a single-seat couch, makeup flawless as always.

"Lilah, you're here!" she greeted enthusiastically, standing up. "Come on in, the doctor's waiting for you. Don't worry, it's routine-won't take long."

Lilah's eyes landed on both of them; the doctor adjusted his glasses, nervous.

Exactly the setup she'd expected.

She smiled inwardly but kept a calm front that made Verity look almost overeager by comparison.

Lilah sat down gracefully, every move smooth and unbothered.

"Thanks," she nodded to the doctor but then turned to Verity. "Shouldn't you step out?"

That wiped the grin off Verity's face. "Sorry, what?"

Lilah leaned forward slightly, resting her folded hands on her knees. "Mental evaluations are pretty personal, you know? Outsiders aren't supposed to be here. Kind of a basic rule."

She paused, then added with a sharper edge, "Unless, of course, you think you're qualified to stay and sway the doctor's opinion?"

Every word was a blow to the gut. Verity's smile faltered instantly. She hadn't predicted that Lilah would suddenly go on the offensive-or hold her ground so confidently in front of the doctor.

Caught in the middle, the doctor started sweating. He stammered, trying to defuse the tension. "Mrs. Wallace, Miss Nolan is just worried about you. Having someone familiar nearby could help you relax during the session..."

"Worried?" Lilah chuckled, soft but icy.

"As a professional, you'd know better than anyone-anything that might skew the evaluation's objectivity should be avoided."

The doctor went totally silent. It hit too close to home for him to argue.

Verity forced a calm tone. "Lilah, I just thought maybe if something went wrong, I-"

"What, exactly, do you mean by 'wrong'?" Lilah cut in sharply. "I'm perfectly fine. In fact, between us two, you're the one acting a little... off."

Just when the room's tension reached unbearable levels-

Knock, knock, knock.

Rhythmic, steady, and loud.

The door opened from the outside.

Gabriel stepped in-classic dark suit, poker face on point.

Behind him followed a quiet Nina, head lowered.

And at that moment, the corner of Lilah's mouth curled up ever so slightly.Before stepping in, she had already told Nina to quietly inform Gabriel.

This was clearly a trap Verity had set-and there was no way Lilah was walking into it unprepared.

No matter how she answered, as long as Gabriel got that fake evaluation, he'd always think she was mentally unstable. That seed of doubt would grow permanent.

Verity was pulling the same old tricks, trying to brand her a lunatic.

Gabriel's eyes landed on Lilah's face and paused there for a beat.

No questions. No demands for explanations.

He spoke, his voice calm but commanding, with zero room for debate: "Verity, leave."

Those three words slammed into Verity like a thunderclap.

All the color drained from her face.

She stared at him, dumbfounded, as if searching for something to say.

But under Gabriel's ice-cold gaze, the words died in her throat.

"Gabriel, I..." she managed, voice cracking.

"Out," he repeated, tone flat as water. "Don't make me say it a third time."

Biting her lower lip so hard it nearly bled, Verity shot Lilah a venomous glare.

But in the end, defeated and seething, she dragged her feet toward the door and slipped out.

As the door clicked shut, the room quieted, leaving just the three of them inside.

Lilah remained perfectly composed, not the slightest ripple on her expression, like that whole messy clash had never happened.

The psychiatrist looked deeply uncomfortable, practically sweating bullets.

"Mr. Wallace..." he stammered.

"Start," Gabriel said without even glancing at him, sinking into the single armchair with clear intent to observe every second.

"Y-yes, of course!" the doctor scrambled to respond, all pretense gone.

He cleared his throat and began the standard procedure, careful with every question like he was walking on broken glass.

Lilah sat tall in her seat, posture impeccable.

She answered confidently, word for word, like she had nothing to hide and absolutely everything under control.

Gabriel's watchful gaze shifted-no longer just observing, but genuinely listening, and then... something else.

This woman sitting in front of him-sharp, steady, completely lucid. Her voice calm, her thoughts precise. There was undeniable strength in her presence.

Time passed almost unnoticed with Lilah speaking so fluidly.

When the final question was done, silence fell.

The doctor exhaled in relief, his whole demeanor easing. There was even a flicker of respect in his expression.

"Mr. Wallace, the evaluation is complete. Based on initial analysis, your wife shows no signs of any mental illness."

Gabriel blinked, almost startled.

Had he just zoned out... watching her?

"Alright." His reply came low and cool, mask sliding back on as he stood. His eyes briefly swept across Lilah's calm features, unreadable again. "Make sure the report's done quickly."

"Yes, Mr. Wallace!" the doctor responded promptly.

Just outside, Verity hadn't walked far. She was glued to the door, straining to catch what was being said.

The second she heard the words "no signs of illness," it hit her like a truck.

She'd plotted every step-and Lilah just walked right through it like it was nothing.

Gabriel didn't doubt her. Worse-he listened to her.

Why?!

She, Verity, had been crawling at Gabriel's feet for years, giving everything, swallowing her pride for him.

And now this crazy woman got his trust just like that?

Shaking with rage, she curled her hands into tight fists, nails digging into her palms.

If you're standing in my way... don't blame me for what happens next.

Her eyes turned cold and deadly, full of malice.