Chapter 145
ESIC
Macam is in the theater room, Martha informed him as she opened the door for Antonio
“Alright,” Antonio responded as he headed straight for his study. He pushed open the door and entered the quiet creek breaking the stillness of the
Without wasting time, he headed straight to his safe and opened it,
On top of all his documents was the one Martin had handed him which was proof of what he
She had a habit of denying things even though she knew it was the truth deep down
He picked it up, his fingers brushing over the edges of the folder as if its contents burned him.
about to tell Zabelle.
The blood report inside was a damning piece of evidence, one that would shatter Zabelle’s world and change everything she thought she knew about herself.
He straightened, clutching the file tightly as he stepped out of the study.
His footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, the mansion almost unnervingly quiet at this hour,
He wondered what it would be like to have children running around and the thought shocked him as it was out of nowhere, especially as he had never thought about having children.
“That’s not important right now, he muttered to himself as he headed to the theater room.
When he got there, he saw the door wasn’t completely closed, and so he slipped in.
Antonio paused at the door when he saw her. The soft glow of the screen illuminated her face as she sat curled up on the couch, completely engrossed in the movie playing before her.
Her lips parted slightly as she leaned forward, anticipation written all over her features,
She was so beautiful Fuck, the way her hair was tied in a messy bun made him fall for her once a
again.
of her chest as she
His gaze lingered on her, taking in every detail the soft cascade of her hair, the curve of her lips, the gentle rise and fall of
breathed.
How had he been so blind to the depth of his feelings for her before? To think h
nt to hurt her.
he had married her just to He loved her more than he had ever thought possible. And now, he was about to shatter her world. His claru tightened
Zabelle didn’t even know what w
was coming, he thought to himself, and the urge to postpone telling her hit him. No he couldnt. She had the right to know, and he had to do it, even though it would kill her and him. But he would be il
their. Through every tear, every maent of doubt, every heartbreak, he would be at her side. Antonio the ked on the lights, braking the darkness. Zabelle blinked in surprise, her head snapping toward him. “Oh! You scared for” she said with a soft laughs, her hand pressed against her chest.
He walked toward larr, derpersion warm yet somber
Wathinat a wond, he leaned down and captured her lips in a tender kiss, savoring the moment
something sweet,
It was her lip glous or if she had When he pealled bai leer smile returned, taught it taltered slightly at the serious book an his face, “What’s wrong?” she asked, ubing her he
cheal out and touclied labs face gently.
He didn’t answer inunediately. Instead, he sat beside her, one am draped along if
of the couch as his eyes searched hers,
LA
11:11 AM &c.
Chapter 145
“How did it go with your father?” she inquired, breaking the silence.
Antonio’s lips broke into a small smile. “It went well. Better than I expected, actually. We’re okay now.”
Zabelle’s eyes widened, and she clapped her hands together excitedly. “Really? That’s wonderful, Antonio! I’m so happy for you”
Her joy was genuine, pure. It twisted the knife in his heart even further. She was so innocent, but her world had been so cruel to her.
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her. He would never get tired of relishing how soft her hair was
Her:
He hesitated, his hand tightening slightly on
once again when she noticed the shadow in his expression.
“Antonio, what’s wrong?” she asked again, her voice softer this time.
y on the file. “Zabelle.”
-he
began, his voice low and measured, “I need to show you something.
“Does it have to do with my father? Was this what you said you were going to tell me this morning!” She asked in a shaky voice, and her heart dipped when Antonio nodded.
The change in her expression made Antonio clench his fist. He hadn’t told her yet, but she already knew it was bad news
That was how temble Gabriel and his family were.
Zabelle frowned, her eyes darting to the file he held out to her.
Taking it slowly, she flipped it open, her brow furrowing as she scanned the contents.
The blood report stared back at her, the clinical words and numbers striking her like a physical blow
“I don’t understand,” she murmured, though her trembling hands betrayed her words.
“Zabelle.” Antonio called, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him, “You’re not Gabriel and Lily’s daughter.”
Zabelle’s world tilted. The words hung in the air and echoed in her mind as her breath hitched.
She shook her head slowly, refusing to let the meaning sink in.
“No… that’s not possible,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “It has to be a mistake.
“I wish it were,” Antonio said, reaching for her hand. She didn’t pull away, though she gripped the file tightly in her other hand, as if holding on to it could somehow change its contents.
“I need to show you something else,” he said gently.
Antonio reached into his je
pocket and pulled out his phone. On display was a photo
was a photograph, the one William had shown him He placed it in her lap, his eyes never leaving her face as she picked it up.
earlier.
Zabelle’s eyes widened as she looked at the image. A man and a woman smiled back at her, their happiness frozen in time.
The woman’s features were so strikingly similar to her, and they seemed to stare into her soul, while not missing the golden blonde hair of the manı
“Who who are they?” Zabelle asked, her voice barely audible. She already had an idea of who they were,
re, but sh
she wanted to hear it from Antonio’s
“Zain and habelle Pierce Antondo responded, his tone heavy with emotion. “Your actual parents”
Tears welled age in here eyes as the clutched the phone. “This doesn’t make s
sense. Gabriel and Lily… they’re my parents. They raised me. This has to
imo labour the same day. Gabriel
-Zain was Gabriel’s younger brother Your mother was pregnant at the same time Lily was pregnant. They went into labour the and Lily’schuki didn’t survive, Zabelle, Antonio explained, lila volor filled softly
“You were Zain and Isabelle’s daughter. For reasons, we still don’t fully understand, Caliel and Lily ist have switched you and claimed you as
their own
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Chapter 145
His head broke when tears finally rol
finally rolled down Zabelle’s cheeks as the truth crushed her.
Every memory, every moment of her life, suddenly felt like a lie, “Why?” she whispered. “Why would they do that?”
u, we’ll get to
get to the
Antonio slid closer, wrapping his arms around her trembling form. “I don’t know,” he admitted, “But I’ll find out. I promise you, we‘ bottom of this.”
“Where are they?” He heard her ask him, and he wondered just how much bad news he would have to give her. “Your father committed suicide when he found our you didn’t survive, and your mom apparently left.”
She sobbed into his chest, her shoulders shaking. Antonio held her tightly, his hand stroking her back soothingly.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Tim so sorry, Zabelle. But you’re not alone in this. I’m here. Always.”
As she cried, Antonio’s resolve hardened. Gabriel had taken everything from Zabelle, her family, her identity, her sense of self.
It was time to make him pay. But first, he would help his wife pick up the shattered pieces of her world and rebuild them together.
He looked down when Zabelle let him go and pulled away from him,
“Can I be alone?” Zabelle requested. It was becoming embarrassing as every time her family was brought up it would always end up with her in
Tears.
She didn’t want him there. His presence reminded her of just how foolish she was and how she would have continued to suffer if he hadn’t come into her life.
It was too much for her to bear.
“Zabelle,” Antonio called as he reached out to her, b
to her, but she shook her head and moved back as she didn’t want him to touch her.
“I want to be alone, Antonio!” This time it wasn’t a request but an order, one that left no room for arguments.
“Fine, but I’ll be outside if you need me. Antonio said as he stood up.
room
Zabelle didn’t respond, she didn’t even look at him, and he frowned. However, he didn’t say anything else to her as he walked out of the roo As soon as Zabelle heard the door close, the tears she had been holding back burst like a dam.
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