Chapter 160

Laney’s POV

Six months later:

Seth is like a dog with a bone; he will not back off. He won both my brothers over that night. They loved his car. He immediately won them both over when he took them for a ride before they helped to unload the SUV. When Charlie showed up with the SUVs and had paid for a year of insurance for not just one, but all three vehicles, he won them over, too.

Since then, it’s been the Seth show. Once he found out where I lived, he would do annoyingly helpful things. The first thing that happened was a month after my makeover. He had the old wood replaced on the outside of our home and then had our entire house painted. I already had a list of things that I wanted to get done, both inside and outside.

“You don’t have to go, Isla. I should be back in the next two hours.

Gabriel’s voice was calm as he tucked his black button down shirt into his black trousers and fastened his leather belt. The faint click of the buckle echoed softly across the room.

Isla was standing by the mirror, sliding her feet into a pair of black leather, knee-length heeled boots. Her floral sleeveless dress hugged her figure beautifully, the soft fabric flowing just above her knees. She had let her long blonde hair cascade down her back, and when she turned slightly to face him, Gabriel’s heart skipped a beat.

She looked radiant-effortlessly so.

“I’m not sick, Gabriel,” she said, brushing her hair back with a teasing smile. “I’m only pregnant, not fragile.

Please, let me go with you.”

He frowned slightly, watching as she bent to grab her purse and phone. She looked determined, and when Isla made up her mind about something, he knew there was no use arguing.

“Besides,” she continued, straightening up and facing him,

“it’s been so long since we hung out with Ben and Peter. I miss them.”

Gabriel sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. She wasn’t wrong. It had been two weeks since they moved into their new home, and they hadn’t gone out once.

Not only because of her condition, but also because he had taken a full week off work just to take care of her.

That week had been the most peaceful he’d had in years— Making sure she fed well, making sure she rested, sitting by her while she slept. But now that she was feeting stronger, she wanted to go out again.

He knew she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Alright, fine,” he said at last, buttoning up his cufflinks. ” Byt you’ll do exactly as I say. No alcohol, no stress, and no one should know that you’re pregnant until I say so.”

“I promise,” she said quickly, her lips curving into a smile.

He walked closer to her, his eyes softening as he reached for a beige faux fur jacket hanging on the rack. “Here,” he said, draping it gently over her shoulders. “The night breeze will be cold. And the club’s air-conditioning will be worse.”

She smiled at his thoughtfulness, tilting her head up slightly. “You’re starting to sound like my doctor.”

He chuckled. “Good. Maybe you’ll actually listen this time.”An hour later, their car rolled to a stop in front of the exclusive club in central Carminton. The one Landon owns.The neon lights shimmered in blue and gold, and the low hum of bass vibrated through the ground. A long line of expensive cars glowed under the night lights.

Gabriel stepped out first and turned to help Isla down. As they walked inside, his hand settled gently at the small of her back, protectively.

Inside, the club was alive. The place pulsed with music and laughter, people moving under the dim lights. The smell of whiskey and expensive cologne hung heavy, and the atmosphere was thick with energy.

They made their way upstairs toward the VIP terrace, their usual spot. The moment Ben spotted them climbing the steps, his face lit up.

“Finally! Here comes the first-class couple of Carminton.

Mr. and Mrs. Wyndham!” he announced dramatically, earning a few glances from nearby tables.

Isla laughed softly as Ben pulled her into a friendly hug.” Get full chapters from Find[ɴ]ovel.net

You never change, Ben,” she said, shaking her head.

Gabriel exchanged a firm handshake and a brief hug with him before turning to Peter. The two men clapped each other’s shoulders, the easy kind of gesture that said they’d been through too much together to bother with formality.

Once everyone had settled down, Isla leaned back comfortably, her hand resting on Gabriel’s arm. “So,” she began, smiling, “where have you two been hiding? You both just disappeared for a while.”Peter exhaled and leaned forward. “Business,” he replied.”

It’s been crazy. But I’m back now, for good, hopefully:”

“Wow, that’s good to hear,” Isla said warmly. Then, without thinking, she added with a curious tilt of her head, “So… any plans for marriage?”

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

A heavy silence fell over the table.

Ben froze, Peter’s smile faded, and even Gabriel turned his head slightly to look at her. Isla’s heart dropped. The realization hit her immediately. She had asked the wrong question, to the wrong man.

: Her eyes widened slightly. “Oh— I didn’t mean-” she started, but the damage was already done.

Peter forced a polite smile, he didn’t mind her question at all. It was about time they had that discussion anyway.

Gabriel reached under the table and gently squeezed Isla’s hand, a subtle gesture telling her it was alright, even if it wasn’t.

The music from below suddenly felt louder. The laughter and chatter around them blurred into background noise as tension wrapped around the four friends.

“I’m sorry,” Isla said softly, her voice barely rising above the music. “I shouldn’t have asked you that, Peter.”

Peter gave her a faint smile, though there was somethingtired behind it. “No, Isla. You just asked me the right question.” He paused for a beat, his gaze drifting toward his glass.

“So, tell me… how’s Sofie?”

“She’s fine actually,” Isla replied, her tone warm but cautious. She had always liked Sofie, but she wasn’t sure where Peter stood with her now, so the question hung between them like fragile glass.

Before anyone could continue, a hostess appeared beside their table, a bright smile fixed on her face as she set down a chilled bottle of fruit wine and a glass. “Your order, Mr. Wyndham,” she said politely, then slipped away.

Gabriel took the bottle himself, twisting the cork out with a quiet pop. He poured a small amount into his glass first, Lifted it to his lips, and tasted it carefully. Isla watched him, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

When he was satisfied, he filled her glass and slid it toward her. “It’s safe,” he said simply.

She laughed softly, taking it from him. “You don’t trust anyone, do you?”

“Not when it comes to you,” he murmured, his eyes steady on hers.

Isla took a sip, the taste light and fruity. She relaxed into her seat, enjoying the sweetness that lingered on her tongue.

Ben, who had been watching the quiet exchange with asmirk, suddenly leaned forward. “You know,” he said, his tone playful but his eyes were not, “why do i get this feeling like Isla is pregnant?”

The table went stitt..

Isla froze mid-sip. Her heart skipped. Gabriel’s fingers twitched around his glass, but he kept his face calm.

Ben raised a brow, waiting for someone to react. “Come on,” he said slowly. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s just a guess. I mean, she’s glowing, that’s all.”

Gabriel looked at him squarely, his expression unreadable. He knew Ben wasn’t teasing. He was too perceptive for that.

“Well,” Gabriel said finally, his tone casual but his words measured, “maybe she is. Maybe she isn’t. But I’m not taking chances-we’re working on it.”

Ben’s grin returned instantly, the tension breaking. “Then congratulations in advance, my friend. It’s about time the great Gabriel Wyndham produced an heir.”

Peter groaned quietly. “Can we please go back to talking about Sofie?” –

His interruption brought a few chuckles around the table.

Isla smiled, about to respond, but before she could, she felt Gabriel’s arm stiffen beside her.

She felt the presence of someone.She followed his gaze and turned toward the entrance to the terrace. Then, her heart dropped.

Standing there, in an elegant navy gown, her face cold and unreadable, was Anna Wyndham.