chapter 5

The door had barely cracked open when Gabriel slipped right in.

“Sloane, how long you gonna hide from me?”

He backed me into a corner.

The staff member thought it was just a lovers’ spat and discreetly dipped out.

They even had the courtesy to close the door behind them.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

I said, “I’m not hiding. No reason to.”

“Then why’d you ghost my calls?”

I shot back, “Why should I answer?”

Gabriel choked on his words.

Under the dim hallway lights, his face flickered between shadows, like a live wire about to snap.

He said, “Enough games, Sloane. Come home with me.

“We… we won’t fight anymore. Okay?”

I stared at him, thrown.

In all our five years together, this was the first time he’d ever tried to make up first.

But it was too late.

Gabriel continued, “If it’s Olivia you’re hung up on, once her leg’s heals—no, I’ll kick her out right now.”

He yanked out his phone and dialed Olivia’s number.

I didn’t stop him.

I just watched coldly as he lost it.

In my mind, that pitiful, helpless version of myself from the past five years flashed.

The call didn’t connect.

Instead, the ringtone blared from right outside the door.

Only a single door separated us.

I could hear it crystal clear.

I reached for the door.

There was Olivia, dressed in white, her makeup flawless—seated in a wheelchair.

In her hand, a phone still buzzing with the unanswered call.

Gabriel asked, “What are you doing here?”

I said, “I called her.”

Back when Gabriel was blowing up my phone, I’d already guessed he’d track me down eventually.

Gabriel shot me a dark look, then hung up the call.

He crouched in front of Olivia and said,

“You wanted clout and attention? I played along. But marriage? No way.”

Olivia’s face paled.

Her smile stayed sweet, but her eyes were ice cold.

She said, “Backing out now?

“You promised my ten million fans you’d never leave me.

“Or do you really think Sloane would take you back?”

With that, Olivia’s grin never wavered.

Her pitch-black eyes slid past Gabriel, locking onto me.

She asked, “Guess you can’t be blind twice, huh?”

My hand gripped the doorknob.

I said, “Of course. Do me a favor—leash your rabid dog before he pisses on someone else’s carpet.”

Gabriel couldn’t believe it. He jammed his foot against the doorframe, blocking it hard.

He said, “Sloane, I’m not breaking up. You can’t just call it quits like this. That’s too selfish.”

I was so pissed I actually laughed.

“Keep this up and it’s sexual harassment. I’ll call the cops.”

Gabriel didn’t back down, still trying to push his way in.

I didn’t hesitate—straight up dialed 911.

The second the call connected, Gabriel instantly deflated and backed out of the room.

I reached out and closed the door.