Chapter Five: A Fragile Truce
Diane's bare shoulders sparkled in the soft light of the bedside lamp, her gown still loose around her waist, revealing the scars she had shown him just moments ago.
"Is something wrong?" she asked gently.
Gabriel took a step closer, "Your dress," he said quietly. "If you pull it off like that... it might rub against your scars. It could... hurt."
Diane blinked, surprised.
In her past life, Gabriel had never spoken to her with such concern.
He had been distant, dismissive, and neglectful.
But now, he was showing gentleness in his voice that caught her off guard.
He stepped closer, his fingers hovered near the straps of her dress.
"May I?" he asked, almost whispering.
For a moment, Diane hesitated. Then, she nodded, her hands dropped to her sides.
"Go ahead."
Gabriel's fingers grazed against her shoulders as he carefully slid the straps down her arms, his touch was cautious, as though afraid of hurting her.
Diane shivered under his hands, not from fear but from the intimacy of the moment.
As the dress slipped further down, pooling at her feet, Gabriel's breathing stopped.
He quickly moved his gaze, his cheeks turned to a shade of red.
"You're... fine," he said awkwardly, stepping back and running a hand through his hair.
"I mean, your scars... they don't define you."
"Thank you, Gabriel."
Gabriel cleared his throat. "I'll leave you to rest," he muttered, taking a step away.
But before he could leave, Diane reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Wait," she spoke in a rush.
He stopped, glancing back at. "What is it?"
"Stay," Diane said simply, her grip on his hand relaxed. "Please."
Gabriel hesitated, then looked at the bed and then back to her. "I... don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not? We're married, aren't we? And I don't want to be alone tonight."
Her words seemed to disarm him, and after a moment, he sighed.
"Fine," he muttered, resigned. "But don't expect me to make a habit of this."
Diane smiled and released his hand, watching as he moved to the other side of the bed.
Gabriel climbed in stiffly, lying on his back with his arms crossed over his chest as though he were preparing for battle.
Diane lay down beside him, her head rested on the pillow.
The silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
Slowly, she closed her eyes, and allowed Gabriel's breathing lullaby her into sleep.
>___<
-The next morning-
Diane stirred, her eyes fluttering open to find Gabriel was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed and adjusting his watch.
"Good morning," she said softly, still heavy with sleep.
Gabriel glanced back at her, no smile, no warmth.
"Morning," he replied. "I have work to do."
Diane sat up, the sheets pooling around her waist.
"Of course," she said, smoothing her hair.
Gabriel stood, straightening his tie.
"Before I leave," he began, "I have something for you."
Diane tilted her head, she was curious. "Something for me?"
He nodded. "A wedding gift. It's a house, not far from here. You can live there and... figure things out. It's quiet, private. You'll have everything you need."
Diane blinked, stunned. "A house?"
"Yes," Gabriel said matter-of-factly. "I thought you'd appreciate the space. You deserve a place where you can feel calm, away from all... this." He gestured vaguely toward the mansion.
For a moment, Diane didn't know what to say.
She hadn't expected kindness from Gabriel, much less a thoughtful gesture like this.
"Thank you," she finally replied, sounding sincere. "I really mean it."
Gabriel shrugged, as though brushing off her gratitude.
"It's nothing. I'll have someone take you there this afternoon. You can call me if you need anything."
Diane watched him as he left the room...'my own house? This is even better...'
She sat there for a moment, processing his words.
A house. Her own space.
It felt like a fresh start, a chance to rebuild her life on her own terms.
The house was even more beautiful than Diane had imagined.
A charming two-story property surrounded by a lush garden filled with roses in every shade of red, pink, and white.
The scent of the flowers corrupted the air, bringing back memories of her mother tending to her garden with gentle, loving hands.
Diane was in the middle of the garden, her heart swelled with unexpected joy.
Gabriel might not love her, but he had given her something she hadn't had in years—a safe place to call her own.
She spent the rest of the day exploring the house, thinking of her plans.
Diane planned to tend to the garden herself, just as her mother had taught her.
She would make this house her sanctuary.
That evening, she called Gabriel.
"Gabriel," she addressed when he answered, "thank you for the house. It's perfect."
"I'm glad you like it," he replied in a polite but distant voice. "Is there anything else you need?"
"Yes. I want to hire a bodyguard."
Gabriel was silent for a moment. "A bodyguard?"
"Yes...I need someone I can trust to protect me. With everything that's happened... I can't afford to be careless."
He sighed. "Do what you want, Diane. It's your life."
"Thank you," she said, a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Just don't expect me to clean up any messes," Gabriel added.
Diane laughed softly. "I wouldn't dream of it."
As the call ended, Diane sat back, her gaze drifting to the roses outside the window.
She was going to rebuild her life, one step at a time...
She needed to protect herself, take back her family's legacy, and ensure that no one—not Richard, not Adrian, not Rachel—would ever control her again.
"But how do I hire a bodyguard?"