Chapter 29

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GABRIEL

The fact Nora flew all the way from Seattle without thinking about hotel arrangements infuriates me, but I keep my mouth shut. Arguing with her again would be pointless and counterproductive, as I need her to sign the NDA as soon as possible.

Taking her arm, I quickly usher her into the car, driving off in haste to meet the rest of the group. I already sent Tom a text to make sure that the Non-Disclosure Agreement is in front of her the second we step foot into the house, and he said it's all good. Which helps me put my mind a bit at ease. No matter what this woman says, I'll never be able to trust her again.

"This place is beautiful..." She smiles as I pull over.

The first glimpse of the building is a breathtaking view of the beach and garden, complete with the sound of seagulls and the gentle rustle of palm leaves.

Once you walk inside, you know you're in for a luxurious experience. The white marble floor, crystal chandeliers, and expensive decorations feel like coming out of a lifestyle magazine.

Yet, I'd give everything to go back to the warmth and coziness of my parent's place right now.

"They are waiting for us inside." I get out of the car to help her out. A part of me is still pissed at her, but at the end of the day, she's pregnant and the baby has nothing to do with this mess.

"Thanks," she whispers, trying to link our arms together.

"Let's get inside." I walk a few steps ahead of her.

The group is gathered in the living room, and Josh lets out a loud gasp when he sees Nora. "Holy shit, you're... very much pregnant." He whistles, his reaction mirroring everyone's feelings.

Only they're too stunned to say anything.

Everyone was aware that she had contacted me to announce that she was pregnant. But seeing her face-to-face sure makes it all much more real.

She chuckles. "I'll take it as a compliment."

"Nora." Tom holds his hand out for her. "You look... Lovely."

"Thanks." She shakes his hands, her eyes turning to me. "I need to use the bathroom, please."

"This way." Lena motions with her hand, and soon they are out of sight.

When I look back at Tom, my eyes narrow with suspicion, and I realize how Nora was able to track me down. "You told her where I was." I hold his gaze.

"Actually. I did," Martins says. "Tom mentioned she was willing to sign the NDA if she talked to you personally."

"And you couldn't have waited?" I scoff. "Or warned me she was coming?"

"We talked to her right after you left yesterday." He raises his hands in apology. "We didn't know she'd be showing up here so early today."

"I didn't need her knocking up on my parents' door."

"I thought you two could use some privacy." He shrugs, and the nonchalant tone in his voice irks me. Having people decide and assume things on my behalf is definitely something that comes with my job. It doesn't mean I enjoy it most of the time.

"I'd appreciate you talking to me first instead of just assuming things." I walk to him, my eyes never leaving his face.

"Okay." Tom rushes to my side, his arms touching my shoulder. "The good thing is that she's here, and I got the papers for her to sign."

Thankfully, Nora and Lena choose this moment to join us, and I take a deep breath, trying to redirect my focus.

"Nora, sweetheart." Toms smiles at her. "I got some breakfast ready for you on the patio. I think it'll be more comfortable to talk over there."

Not waiting for her response, I just head outside, ready to get this over with so I can go back to Jo.

*****

Nora's meticulous examination of the NDA, the infinite questions she had for Tom, and the lengthy amount of time it took her to sign the document shouldn't have come as a surprise to me.

After a long discussion, she finally gave in and agreed to catch a flight back home later tonight, with the assurance that we would meet up again soon. Tom was very convincing when he told her he wouldn't make her wait, and there must have been something in his voice that made her believe him. He was confident and charismatic, presenting himself with his best game face during our talk. Which was a good thing, since I could barely look her way.

It's been a really fucking long day.

Now it's nearly five in the afternoon and I'm finally driving home. I can't seem to shake the feeling of dread and unease that has taken root in the pit of my stomach. Especially after Maria texted me earlier, asking if I was home. I've tried calling Jo and sent her numerous texts throughout the day, but they all went unanswered.

It seems impossible to me that Jo would just leave without giving me a chance to talk. But I can't fault her if she does it.

As soon as my car rolls to a stop in front of my parents' place, my heart sinks. Maria is loading her bags into her car, a gesture that can only mean they're both leaving.

Rushing to Maria's side, my heart stops when she meets my gaze. "She's waiting for you inside."

Fuck! This is not good!

My heart races as I step inside, the adrenaline in my veins making me tremble. The house is eerily still, and it takes me a few moments to realize that she's not there.

As I make my way to the patio, I notice Jo standing by the patio rail, gazing out at the ocean. The wind blows her hair lightly and the sun's rays caress her skin. God, she's beautiful.

I'd do anything to go back in time and do things differently. Because it definitely feels like I'm losing her right now.

As if sensing my eyes on her, she turns to me. I hear my heart thudding in my ears. I can feel my chest tightening, the air refusing to enter my lungs. The sharp pain in her eyes is unbearable, like a powerful force trying to suffocate me. I caused this. Jesus.

"Jo..." I swallow, my mouth opening and closing as I try to think.

"I'm leaving." She takes a deep breath. "But I didn't want to go without saying goodbye."

The finality in her words kills me. She's putting an end to us before we even had a chance to start. And it's all my fault.

"I got her to sign a non-disclosure agreement..." I take a step towards her, and she crosses her arms over her chest.

"Good." She clears her throat. "You guys will need all the privacy you can get right now."

My mind races, searching for something to say to make things right between us. "She agreed to do a paternity test once the baby is born."

"Right." She shakes her head, looking away. "Only after the baby is born."

"Her blood pressure is a little high, and-"

"You had a great amount of time to open up about her." She puts on a mask of indifference, but I can see the anger in her eyes." You don't need to explain now.".

"She... She left." I walk to her, cupping her face. "We won't be in touch until the baby is..."

"Don't be so naïve, Gabe." She grabs my forearms, pulling away from me.

Feeling her slipping through my fingers, I grab her hands. "I'm sorry, Jo. I'm so fucking sorry. I wish I could go back in time and do things differently, but..."

"But you can't." Her jaw tightens as she tries not to cry.

"Jo..." I beg. "Don't leave like this."

"I had the most amazing time with you here, Gabe." She cups my cheeks, a single tear rolling down her face. "You reminded me of my love for writing and inspired me not to give up my dreams."

"And you showed me there's so much more to life." I hold her waist, pulling her close to me. "You showed me what real love is."

Her eyes close, her hands grabbing my forearms. "But you also broke my heart. You also showed me I need to set stronger boundaries to protect myself."

"God." I feel my eyes watering, hating myself for being the one to break her heart like this. "Jo, I'm so sorry."

"I believe you are," she whispers. "But I deserve so much more than what you can give me right now."

If she stabbed me in the chest, it couldn't have hurt worse. Because she's right. She fucking deserves the world.

The feeling of her lips pressing lightly against mine leaves me breathless. I taste the saltiness of her tears as they touch my skin. I can feel her heartache in the sound of her muffled crying.

She's kissing me goodbye.

God, this is torture.

Her soft hands ran through my hair before traveling down to my chest. "Please let me go, Gabe" she whispers over my lips.

"Jo," I whisper, a sob escaping my lips as tears stream down my face and I reluctantly lose my grip on her.

Inhaling deeply, she takes a step back, slowly letting go of me and putting some distance between us.

She's leaving me.

Leaving us. 

_____

A/N: Are you guys hanging in there?

XOXO

Celeste


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