Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Hatred to the Bone

The door to the medical room clicked shut behind them as Gabriel and Lilah stepped out together.

Relief still lingered in Lilah's chest-she'd taken a total gamble by asking Nina to find Gabriel. It was a shot in the dark.

But, thank God, he'd shown up.

Just when she thought she'd return to her room alone, a calm and firm voice spoke up behind her.

"Have dinner with me tonight."

Gabriel stood partly in shadow, tone more like a command than a request.

Lilah hesitated for half a second, pretending to be a little surprised before replying softly, "Okay."

By evening, the warm golden light from the chandelier bathed the dining room in a peaceful glow.

Gabriel sat at the head of the table, the top button of his shirt undone, rare hints of ease in his posture.

Right beside him, a neatly set place-specifically prepared for Lilah.

Verity arrived with Aiden in tow. The sight of Lilah already at the table made her face fall fast. The sweet smile she kept plastered on her face faltered, eyes swirling with disbelief and frustration.

Seriously? How could that lunatic suddenly be back like this?

Lilah saw every bit of Verity's panic, slid into her seat with calm poise, and lifted her gaze just enough to throw a faint, satisfied smile.

That silent little smirk lit Verity's fuse. Her face turned dark, and every bite of food tasted like cardboard.

Gabriel, meanwhile, quietly watched Lilah.

He had assumed she'd been faking everything, like she used to-but this morning's tests? Her calm demeanor? Maybe she really was doing better.

Lilah gently placed a shrimp into Aiden's bowl, completely natural in her movements.

Aiden blinked in surprise and whispered, "Thanks... Mom."

Wait, did he just say... Mom?

Lilah stiffened, emotions crashing in waves inside her.

The past Lilah had let Verity poison her thoughts for years and totally neglected the child she gave birth to. Yet this tiny boy-without hesitation or blame-still chose to reach out to her.

Just that one word, soft as it was, shattered what little restraint Verity had left.

That little brat!

Why?!

Clang-

The fork slipped from Verity's hand and dropped with a loud clatter, leaving a greasy mark on the tablecloth.

Soup splashed onto her silk sleeve, soaking through in a dark, ugly blotch.

"Ah..." She looked like someone just snapped her out of a trance, eyes glistening with tears as she turned to the man of the house. "Gabriel, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-I'll clean it up right away..."

Gabriel's brows twitched slightly.

He didn't even glance at her. "Mm," he replied flatly.

Toward the end of the meal, Mr. Reed stepped up beside Gabriel quietly and spoke with folded hands, "Sir, the estate called. Madam Wallace's birthday banquet is this weekend. They ask that you and Master Aiden make sure to attend."

Gabriel nodded. "Got it."

Right as the words left his mouth, Verity leaned forward slightly, her face full of concern. "It'll be crowded and noisy at the party. Aiden will need someone with him. Gabriel, if I go along, I can help look after-"

She was practically begging, like being the only one qualified was her whole pitch.

Lilah couldn't help it-she set her utensils down and looked up, her voice cool. "You want to go? Did you forget who you are? What are you treating me as-the invisible mother?"

"I-I just thought it'd be better for Aiden," Verity said with a forced smile.

"Since when does the Wallace family let a nanny walk in like she owns the place at a private family gathering?"

"You-"Verity's face turned pale, then flushed red, her expression shifting rapidly. Meanwhile, Lilah looked at Gabriel, tears welling in her eyes. "Gabriel, I've made a lot of mistakes in the past. I was blind. But I want to make things right, to apologize to your family. Please, give me a chance."

Her voice was soft, almost pleading, with genuine remorse in her tone.

Gabriel remained silent, his eyes cold as if trying to decipher just how sincere she really was.

Verity's lips curled into a mocking smile-completely unbothered, borderline amused.

As if Lilah still had the guts to face the Wallaces after what she pulled.

Seriously, what gave her the nerve to think she belonged at that dinner?

Just then, a soft voice broke the heavy silence.

"Daddy..." Aiden, who'd been aimlessly stirring his dessert with a spoon, suddenly looked up. "Can Mommy come with us to see Grandpa and Grandma?"

Gabriel's tapping fingers froze mid-motion, his gaze locking onto his son's innocent face.

"Aiden," he said after a pause, his voice low, "you want your mom to come?"

Aiden nodded hard. His little face scrunched up in determination, filled with hope.

That moment, seeing her son speak up, hit Lilah like a wave. Her heart tightened painfully but also melted a little.

The original Lilah had failed as a mother-too exhausted fighting Verity to even be present for her own child.

But despite it all, Aiden forgave her. He wanted her.

That was more than she ever hoped for. No matter what, she was more attached to him than ever.

"You don't want me to go with you instead?" Verity asked quickly, her voice tinged with panic.

Aiden didn't answer. He dropped his head and went back to fiddling with his dessert.

Verity clenched her jaw so hard it ached. Her nails dug into her palm.

Ungrateful brat. Three years of effort for what? Just to lose to a woman like Lilah coming back from the brink?

Dinner wrapped up under a tense layer of unspoken emotions.

Gabriel stood up first, glancing at his son. "Time for our bedtime reading."

Without hesitation, Aiden slipped off his seat and trotted after him. As he passed Lilah, he paused-just a fraction-then glanced up at her.

She gave him a warm, comforting smile.

Only then did he run after his father into the hallway.

Lilah knew that silence wasn't rejection-it was Gabriel thinking things through.

Pushing now would only backfire.

She pulled herself together and turned toward the stairs.

The sharp tap of heels suddenly echoed behind her.

"Lilah! Wait!"

She didn't even flinch, just kept walking.

But Verity caught up in a few steps, reaching out to block her path.

"Lilah, can we please talk?" Her tone softened, practically begging. "I was just worried about Aiden, I didn't mean to hurt you. We've known each other for years-do we really have to go to war over this?"

"War?" Lilah finally stopped, slowly turning.

"You bribed the doctor to label me unstable. That's your idea of a misunderstanding?"

Verity's expression froze in place.

No, it wasn't a misunderstanding. She never thought Lilah was worthy of being Mrs. Wallace.

Lilah's voice dropped, cold as ice and sharp enough to cut. "Verity, save your pitiful tricks. We're not having a spat-we've always been enemies."

"You'll never be anything in the Wallace family. So watch yourself."