Chapter 4 - A Mother's Heart
The morning after the gala, Emma received a frantic phone call from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
Her mother, Sarah, had just come out of her four-hour open-heart surgery.
Emma rushed to the hospital in Gabriel’s private armored SUV, accompanied by two armed guards. When she reached the cardiac intensive care unit, Dr. Vance was waiting outside the recovery room.
"Mrs. Moretti," Dr. Vance said warmly, holding a clipboard. "Your mother’s surgery was a complete success. The valve replacement went perfectly, and her vitals are stronger than they’ve been in years."
Emma burst into tears of pure relief, covering her face with her hands.
When she walked into the room, her mother was conscious, propped up against pillows, color back in her cheeks for the first time in eighteen months.
"Emma..." Sarah whispered softly, stretching out her hand.
Emma ran to her side, holding her mother’s hand tightly. "Mom... you made it. You're going to be okay."
Sarah smiled weakly, her eyes looking past Emma toward the doorway. "Who is that handsome man who paid for everything and brought those three sweet boys to visit me yesterday?"
Emma turned around. Gabriel was standing quietly in the doorway, wearing a charcoal wool coat, holding a bouquet of fresh white lilies.
"You brought the triplets here?" Emma asked softly, walking over to him.
"They made get-well cards for her," Gabriel said, handing her the flowers. "They insisted she needed drawings of dinosaurs to heal faster."
Emma looked at him, her chest aching with an emotion far deeper than gratitude. Gabriel had not just protected her; he had cherished her family, saved her mother’s life, and treated her with unconditional respect.
That evening, back at the estate, the rain poured softly against the windows.
Emma walked into Gabriel’s study. He was sitting at his desk, reviewing shipping manifests, looking exhausted.
Emma walked up behind his leather chair, placing her hands gently on his shoulders. Gabriel leaned his head back, closing his eyes as her fingers massaged the tight knots in his neck.
"Thank you, Gabriel," she whispered softly. "For my mother. For everything."
Gabriel opened his eyes, reaching up to cover her hand with his. "You don't need to thank me, Emma. You are my family now."
May you like
He stood up, turning to face her. In the quiet dim light of the study, the boundary between their fake arrangement and real desire vanished. Gabriel leaned down, framing her face with his hands, and kissed her softly on the lips.
Emma melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck as the storm raged outside.
