Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 38

ChChapter Thirty–Eight: Two Billion Dollars.

TheThe room fell into a deep silence.ce

Fo For a long moment, neither Gabriel non Cassienie siedaid a word. It was the kind of silence that fo The thoughts that were too painful to speak oudoundscassiensie stared at the floor, while Gabriel li in in his seat, his face tight with disappointmentent.

Gabriel was not happy with what he had just heard. in intact, he was deeply disappointed. He ha that Dreston would be able to hold his marriage togetherher. He knew the problems in their marr Dr Dreston loved another woman. But Gabriel had thought and hoped that Dreston would do the r

Ju Just like Gabriel himself had done.

Ga Gabriel had once been in a similar situation. He had loved an another woman while married to Isl anand painful. But in the end, he chose his marriage. He fte cu fot for it. He believed Dreston would

BuBut he didn’t.

Thathat was what hurt the most.

Cassassienne was the one who finally broke the silence.ge

“I anaou over the pain already,” she said softly. “I’ve moved on. As visyoucan see, I’m doing fine n

Heffericeice was calm, but only she knew how much effort it took up borit steady. She lifted her smarhaisiaile, hoping it would convince Gabriel–and maybe even arbetself.

Gabrielieblooked at her closely. His eyes were serious, searching heriaceace.

“I’m just sausad,” he said slowly, “because Dreston has lost a very good womaman.”

Cassienne let out a soft laugh and shook her head lightly. “Please don’orlattentrer me.

“I’m not fadtartering you, Cassienne,” Gabriel replied finnly. “You know mendodonit talk just fo

He paused ahether continued, his voice gentle but honest. “You stayed with himnin for five years, e cold to yourdiveivemwhen he sinut you out. Not many women would have endeurdathat.”

Cassienne swatchlowed.

“I truly wished dinings worked out between you two,” Gabriel went on. “But since the they didn’t. You deserve peare.te.

“Thank you,Cassienienne said with a small nod.

Gabriel stood up sipsowy.ieed to get going now. Isia will be expecting mehe.”

Cassienne’s eyes widenei ed slightly. Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even ask about her How is ray tryin

“She’s fine,” Gabriel replepdied, smiling to himself. “She’s pregnant.“ht

Cassienne gasped. “Oh any tio dod.. isla is pregnant?”

Her face lit up with genuine ne happiness. “I’m so happy for both of you. Truly. I’m glad thingsimi between you two.”

But as soon as the words left herenouth, they hit her hard.

Chapter Thirty–Eight Two Billion Dollars

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Chapter Thirty–Eight: Two Billion Dollars.

The room fell into a deep silence.

For a long moment, neither Gabriel nor Cassienne said a word. It was the kind of silence that felt heavy, filled with thoughts that were too painful to speak out loud. Cassienne stared at the floor, while Gabriel leaned back slightly in his seat, his face tight with disappointment.

Gabriel was not happy with what he had just heard. In fact, he was deeply disappointed. He had always believed that Dreston would be able to hold his marriage together. He knew the problems in their marriage. He knew Dreston loved another woman. But Gabriel had thought and hoped that Dreston would do the right thing.

Just like Gabriel himself had done.

Gabriel had once been in a similar situation. He had loved another woman while married to Isla. It had been messy and painful. But in the end, he chose his marriage. He fought for it. He believed Dreston would do the same.

But he didn’t.

That was what hurt the most.

Cassienne was the one who finally broke the silence.

“I am over the pain already,” she said softly. “I’ve moved on. As you can see, I’m doing fine now.”

Her voice was calm, but only she knew how much effort it took to keep it steady. She lifted her head and forced a small smile, hoping it would convince Gabriel—and maybe even herself.

Gabriel looked at her closely. His eyes were serious, searching her face.

“I’m just sad,” he said slowly, “because Dreston has lost a very good woman.”

Cassienne let out a soft laugh and shook her head lightly. “Please don’t flatter me.”

“I’m not flattering you, Cassienne,” Gabriel replied firmly. “You know me. I don’t talk just for talking.”

He paused, then continued, his voice gentle but honest. “You stayed with him for five years, even when he was cold to you. Even when he shut you out. Not many women would have endured that.”

Cassienne swallowed.

“I truly wished things worked out between you two,” Gabriel went on. “But since they didn’t… I’m happy for you. You deserve peace.”

“Thank you,” Cassienne said with a small nod.

Gabriel stood up slowly. “I need to get going now. Isla will be expecting me.”

Cassienne’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even ask about her. How is my friend doing?”

“She’s fine,” Gabriel replied, smiling to himself. “She’s pregnant.”

Cassienne gasped. “Oh my God… Isla is pregnant?”

Her face lit up with genuine happiness. “I’m so happy for both of you. Truly. I’m glad things finally worked out between you two.”

But as soon as the words left her mouth, they hit her hard.

Chapter Thirty–fight two Redon bos

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Gabriel and Isla’s situation had been so similar to hers and Dreston’s. The same confusion. The same distance. The same other woman.

The only difference was this–Gabriel chose his wife.

Dreston didn’t.

The emotions Cassienne thought she had buried deep inside suddenly rose again. Her chest tightened. Her eyes burned slightly. For a second, her smile wavered.

But she pulled herself together quickly.

She would not cry. Not again.

Gabriel noticed her reaction. He saw the pain flash across her face, but he chose not to say anything. He didn’t want to reopen wounds she was trying so hard to close.

“So,” he said instead, changing the topic, “I trust you’re doing well here?”

“Yes,” Cassienne replied. “The company is good to me.”

“That’s good,” Gabriel nodded. “And if you ever need anything–anything at all—I want you to know you can always come to me.”

Cassienne smiled warmly. “Thank you. I appreciate that. But I’m fine here. Still, I’ll remember your offer.”

“I should go now,” Gabriel said.

He pulled her into another brief hug. Then, as he stepped back, he added quietly, “Take care of yourself.”

He hesitated for a second before saying, “And… I noticed the way your boss looks at you.”

Cassienne opened her mouth to respond, but Gabriel had already turned around.

He left the office, closing the door gently behind him.

Cassienne stood there for a moment, stunned. Then she shook her head lightly and returned to her desk.

She sat down and stared at the piles of unfinished work before her. Determined not to let her thoughts wander again, she picked up her tablet and started working.

She focused completely.

Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes turned into hours. Her eyes remained glued to her screen. Her fingers flew across the keyboard with speed and precision. For once, work became her escape.

Then her phone rang.

The sudden sound broke her concentration. She glanced at the screen and saw Merrick’s name.

She stopped typing and answered.

“Merrick?” she said.

“We’re going out tonight!” his excited voice burst through the phone. “The Wyndham Corporation just sealed the deal two billion dollars! We got it, Cassienne. This is huge!”

“What?” Cassienne breathed.

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Chapter Thirty–Nine The Hot Kiss

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