Gabriel's Obsession

A Fragile Forgiveness

A hollow feeling settled in my chest, but before I could speak, he continued.

"Your mother was complicit, Amelia."

No.

"They betrayed you. Sold you like property."

I shook my head, bile rising in my throat. "No—"

"It was then I decided to take you away," he finished, his tone shifting—quieter, as if he were granting me some great mercy.

My breath came in shallow bursts, my mind reeling.

This was a lie. It had to be.

Because if it wasn't...

Then the people I had loved most had betrayed me in the worst possible way.

His words crashed over me like a tidal wave, suffocating, inescapable.

All along, he had been telling the truth.

The cruel way he had dismissed my parents' supposed concern, his mocking reminders that they weren't truly worried—each time, I had clung to the belief that he was lying, twisting reality just to torment me.

But he hadn't been.

The people who were supposed to love me, protect me, had betrayed me. Sold me.

A choked sob tore from my throat as the weight of it all settled over me, crushing, unbearable. The tears came freely, hot and endless.

"Hey, don't cry," Gabriel murmured, brushing the wetness from my cheeks with surprising gentleness. "I'm here for you now."

The words should have disgusted me. They should have filled me with rage. But in that moment, I was too shattered to push him away.

"I also wanted to apologize for my actions involving Mark," he added, his voice softer now. "I'll make sure he gets into one of the best colleges I own. It's among the finest in the country."

Mark.

The mere mention of his name sent another pang through my chest. Mark, who had always been there for me. Mark, who had no idea where I was, if I was even alive. The thought of him, safe, building his future—it brought a flicker of relief, small but real.

But it didn't erase the sting of my parents' betrayal.

"Why did it have to be me?" I whispered, my voice barely audible through my sobs. "Am I truly that undesirable? So worthless that even my own family could trade me away?"

Gabriel's arms tightened around me, his embrace warm, steady, comforting.

"It's okay," he murmured. "Now that you're with me, I won't allow anyone to harm you. You belong to me now."

I stiffened at those words—belong to me—but I was too emotionally drained to fight it.

"And I still need to seek your forgiveness for what transpired yesterday," he continued, his tone laced with something that almost sounded like regret. "It was foolish of me. I know forgiveness takes time, and I'm prepared to give you the space to build trust."

Trust.

A twisted, conflicted feeling stirred inside me. I wanted to hate him. I should have. But in this moment—raw, vulnerable—he was the only one who hadn't betrayed me.

"I... I forgive you," I heard myself say, the words tumbling out before I could reconsider. My voice was fragile, uncertain, but I meant them. "You've been honest with me, and you haven't deceived me like my parents did. What happened yesterday was painful, but I choose to forgive you—on one condition."

I met his gaze, my breath uneven.

"You have to promise never to do it again."

A slow, knowing smile spread across his lips. "I promise, angel. I won't touch you without your consent. Cross my heart and hope to die."

He chuckled softly, pulling me into his arms once more.

And to my own shock, I didn't resist.

I let him hold me.

And in a moment that should have never existed, I found myself hugging him back.

The first genuine connection between us.

Ever heard of Stockholm syndrome? Yeah, that's exactly what Amelia's got going on with Gabriel because nothing says "true love" like guilt and emotional manipulation. 🤡 Stockholm syndrome is basically your brain's way of saying, "Let's make this nightmare more bearable!"so victims start catching feelings for their captors. Cute, right? 🙃 And let's be real... she's not exactly winning any IQ awards either. 🤦‍♀️

Don't forget to vote and comment. You can suggest to me some ideas, like if you want them to end up together or apart. I'll gladly consider them.💯