Chapter 58: The Last Line Between Love And War
Diane barely had time to see Micha’s flirtatious words before the air in the room shifted like a dark moon before the apocalypse.
A cold, deadly presence loomed behind her.
She knew who it was before she even turned.
’Shit...Gabriel...’
His green eyes were burning as he stood at the threshold, his fists clenched at his sides, his entire body was rigid with fury.
Micha, ever the reckless one, smirked lazily. "Well, if it isn’t the husband."
Gabriel didn’t speak.
He moved.
Before Diane could react, Gabriel grabbed Micha by the collar and dragged him toward the door.
Micha didn’t resist—at first. He simply let himself be pulled, letting Gabriel’s anger fuel the moment.
But the second they were outside, Micha shoved him back, shaking off Gabriel’s grip.
"Easy there, Frost," Micha taunted, rolling his shoulders. "Jealous already?"
Gabriel didn’t answer.
He threw the first punch.
Micha barely dodged it, but Gabriel’s fist still grazed his jaw, making him stumble slightly.
Gabriel wasn’t holding back.
Micha grinned, wiping his mouth. "Damn. I thought you were supposed to be the calm and collected type."
Gabriel lunged again. This time, Micha fought back.
Fists met skin, knuckles cracked against bone, the sound of their blows echoing in the cold night air.
Diane rushed outside, eyes widened like a cartoon’s character. "Stop!"
Neither man listened.
Gabriel tackled Micha, slamming him against the car.
Micha twisted free and landed a sharp hit against Gabriel’s side, making him grunt in pain.
It was brutal...without any mercy.
But then—
A small, sleepy voice broke through them.
"...Gabriel?"
Arthur.
He was standing in the doorway, rubbing his tired eyes, looking between them, confused as he didn’t see Gabriel come back while he was eating.
Micha immediately laughed, stepping back and lifting his hands. "Guess that’s my cue to leave."
Gabriel’s breath was heavy, his jaw clenched, his lip already bruised.
Micha shot Diane a wink. "I’ll be seeing you, rabbit."
Then, with one final chuckle, he walked away, disappearing into the night.
Diane turned to Gabriel, who was still glaring after Micha.
She sighed, stepping closer. "Come inside."
Gabriel didn’t move.
"Gabriel," Diane said firmly. "Come inside."
Finally, he relented, letting her guide him back into the house.
Gabriel sat on the couch, his lip was bleeding slightly, his knuckles bruised.
Diane exhaled, grabbing a damp cloth from the kitchen and sitting beside him.
She pressed the cloth against his lip gently. "You’re an idiot."
Gabriel’s eyes flew up to hers. "He shouldn’t have been here."
Diane rolled her eyes. "And what? You were going to kill him?"
Gabriel didn’t answer.
Diane sighed. "Why do you always have to solve things with violence?"
Gabriel grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful. "Why was he here?"
Diane met his gaze evenly. "If I tell you, will you actually listen and not throw another tantrum?"
Gabriel narrowed his eyes but nodded.
Diane pulled back, crossing her arms. "Before that, I have something to say first."
Gabriel leaned back, watching her. "Go on."
Diane smirked. "Your sister. She’s fine, right?"
Gabriel’s jaw tensed. "She had an allergic reaction because of you."
Diane laughed dryly. "Oh, please. She framed me, and you fell for it."
Gabriel’s eyes blinked and darkened. "That doesn’t change the fact that you almost killed her."
Diane raised a brow. "I’ll apologise when her son apologises to Arthur for bullying him."
Gabriel stilled. "...What?"
Diane tilted her head. "Oh? Didn’t know? Isla’s children were the ones bullying Arthur at school."
Gabriel’s lips parted slightly, as if trying to process what she just said.
"You’re lying."
Diane scoffed. "Oh, am I?" She pulled out her phone, opening an email from the school principal. She turned the screen toward him. "Read it."
Gabriel’s eyes scanned the text, his expression shifted from doubt to understanding.
Then to anger.
He gritted his teeth. "She didn’t tell me."
Diane smirked. "Of course, she didn’t. She was too busy playing the victim."
Gabriel exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Diane leaned back, satisfied. "So, now do you see why I don’t owe her an apology?"
Gabriel stayed silent.
Diane’s smile faded slightly.
"But you knew, didn’t you? You knew something was happening to Arthur, but you just chose to ignore it."
Gabriel looked at her, and for the first time in a long time—he looked uncertain.
"I didn’t know," he admitted. "Not about this."
Diane shook her head. "Of course, you didn’t."
Gabriel exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Isla will deal with her own mess."
Diane smirked. "Good choice."
Gabriel studied her for a moment before asking, "Now, tell me why Micha was here."
Diane straightened. "He was here because of Richard."
Gabriel frowned. "What about him?"
Diane leaned forward. "We took everything from him. His money, his drugs, his business—it’s all gone. Richard is completely broke and most likely spiraling right now."
Gabriel blinked, clearly caught off guard. "You... planned this?"
Diane smirked. "Of course."
Gabriel’s lips curled into something almost amused. "And Micha helped?"
Diane nodded. "He pulled it off perfectly."
Gabriel stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head.
"Let me get this straight," he murmured. "You turned Richard into nothing."
Diane leaned back smugly. "That’s right."
Gabriel’s smirk deepened. "And I thought I was the perfectionist one."
Diane raised a brow. "Why? Are you impressed?"
Gabriel tilted his head. "Tell me, Diane..." His voice dropped lower, more intrigued now. "How can I help you?"
Diane blinked. "What?"
Gabriel leaned forward, his bruised lip curled into a smirk.
"You want revenge? I’ll give you everything you need."
Diane stared at him.
For the first time, Gabriel wasn’t standing against her.
He was standing with her.
And that?
That was far more dangerous and entertaining than she’d expected it to be.
"Gabriel, we both know this relationship is based on-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Gabriel kissed her lips.
She gently pulled away, "you’re crazy..." she mumbled.
"I told you before, I will help you. Diane, come with me...I want to gift you something."