Gabriel's POV:

As soon as she fell asleep I removed my hand from her head and took a step back from her bed. Nick looked at me with concern and made his way to me.

I ran my hands through my hair in turmoil. I couldn't understand how people can play with the lives of others. If her father didn't want her then why did he keep her and tortured her? If that woman couldn't stand up against her abusive husband then why did she tell her she was her mom.

Nick made his way to me and placed his hand over my arm.

"What happened?"

I glanced at her, the tears were still wet on her face.

"She's sleeping, Gabriel," he told me. "Why don't we go to the cafeteria and talk there?"

I nodded my head and went with Nick to the cafeteria. It was almost empty and peaceful.

"I'm ordering coffee for us," Nick said.

"I'll appreciate that," I said lost in thoughts.

He placed an order and came back to the table.

"What happened?" He asked me.

"Nate, the man who told where Bella came to meet us. He warned us how dangerous things would get for us and our families if we continued to fight with them," I told him.

"Why didn't you tell me? I would've called the police," Nick said, looking upset.

"We lost granddad because he went after those people. I almost lost Bella because they wanted something that granddad stole. Bella and I don't want to drag this revenge chain and lose more people," I told him.

"What do you mean?" Nick asked leaning forward and looking at me in panic.

"Bella has given the fake statement and I will be changing my statement too. They've promised to leave me and family alone if we help them get out of the prison," I told him.

"Do you have any idea how stupid do you sound?" Nick asked.

"Bella and I know what we are doing. They wouldn't come after us anymore. They believe that I don't have a chip and neither do the police. Tristan is, in fact, a businessman and Nate are too. They have been living a pretty clean life so far and they want to continue their life like that," I told him.

"What if he will kill one of us?" Nick asked.

I sighed.

"He will not hurt any of you. I ended this revenge string because I don't want it to continue and go after you, Matt, Harry, mom, and dad," I said.

"What if he came after you and Bella again?" Nick asked.

"He will come after us, but the reason is not going to be a chip," I told him, knowing how difficult it felt to confess my fears.

Nick looked at me in bewilderment.

"Tristan is in love with Bella. He murdered his own guard because that man shot her," I told him.

Nick looked at me in surprise.

"Fûçking Hell!" He muttered under his breath. "Do you think he will come after her? He would attempt to kidnap her again?"

I sighed, rubbing my face.

"I hope not, but he is crazy. He loves her and I know that he wouldn't hurt her," I told him.

"But he can hurt you. What if he tries to eliminate you to take your place?" Nick asked.

"If he would do that Bella will hate him forever. He is smart enough to understand that," I told him.

Nick got up and brought our order from the counter.

"You sound way too confident about everything, Gabriel," Nick said, taking a sip of his coffee.

I leaned forward, placing my arms on the table.

"I'm not confident about anything, except that Tristan doesn't want that chip anymore," I told him.

"Then what do you plan to do?" He asked.

"I just want to go back to Italy as soon as possible and resume my life," I told him.

"So you plan to go back to Italy?" Nick asked looking hurt.

"I'm studying in Italy, Nick. Francisca and Andre brought me up with so much love. I know the truth is out but I just can't pack my bags and leave them like I never had any relationship with them. You, Matt, and Harry are here to take care of mom and dad but there is no one to take care of them," I told him.

"I understand. You can't just leave your whole life and come live with us," Nick said looking disappointed.

"It's not like I will never come back to meet you guys once I left. Family is everything for me and I will always be your brother," I told him with a reassuring squeeze.

"What about Bella?" He asked.

"I am hoping that she would come to Italy with me," I told him.

"But her family is here," he said.

I grimaced at the thought.

"She has no family here. Her mother came to meet her and told her to never come back home. She also revealed that she wasn't her mother. Her dad was with someone else and she was the daughter of that woman. I don't know how Bella is going to cope after knowing this truth," I told him, picking the coffee mug.

We were sitting silently when Nina walked in and come to our table.

"Hey, Nick and Gabriel," she said sitting on the empty chair.

Nick pulled her in a side hug and she smiled.

"Hello," I replied.

Nina looked at me Nick then frowned.

"Why do you both look sad?"

Nick filled her in about Bella's breakdown and what her mother revealed to her.

She looked angry and upset after hearing everything.

"I can't believe how her parents can throw her out just like that," she said.

"Her father was waiting for her to make one mistake so he could blame her and get rid of her. Also, she is turning eighteen tomorrow. They just don't want anything to do with her anymore," I told her.

Sudden Nina gave Nick and me a mischievous smile.

"How about we plan a surprise birthday celebration for her?" She asked wiggling her eyebrows.

"In the hospital? You know she can't move," I reminded her.

"She can't move but we can. I will get permission. You both better arrange some food and a beautiful cake. We are going to make it a memorable eighteenth birthday for her," Nina said looking excited.

She looked at her phone and muttered, "Shit! I need to check on the patient."

She gave my brother a peck on his lips and ran out of the cafeteria.

My brother smiled looking at her retreating figure.

A small part of me wished that Bella could be that happy with her life like Nina looked.

"So are we throwing a birthday party?" Nick asked.

"I think we are," I told him with a smile.

🖤

Bella's POV:

I woke up a few hours ago but pretended to sleep. I just kept thinking about what my mom told me. I couldn't believe she hides the truth from me for such a long time. I knew that I will always love that woman no matter what and always consider her my mom.

The door of my room opened and someone entered.

"Bella, wake up. You need to take your medicine and breakfast."

I heard Nina's voice and opened my eyes. She was standing there with the nurse who placed my breakfast tray on my lap.

I gave a grateful smile to the nurse.

Nina sat down on the chair and waited for me to began eating. Halfheartedly, I started eating breakfast while she watched me.

"W...where is Gabriel?" I asked her.

"He was asked to come to the police station to give his statement."

My heart dropped in my stomach.

"Everything is going to be fine, Bella," She told me.

I nodded my head, giving her a smile. I decided to distract myself from thinking about my cruel fate.

"How long you and Nick have been together?" I asked her.

She smiled and said, "We met in the med school four years ago. It's our first year of residency which is almost over so we pretty much know each other for five years."

I put the food away and looked at her.

"When did you fall in love with him?" I asked her.

"When I first saw him in my class," she told me. Then she smiled recalling some memories probably.

"When did he confess his love?" I asked her.

"The night after our first date," she told me laughing.

"Really?" I asked her confused.

"Actually, he just gave me subtle hints that I was what he was looking for in a girl. I was attracted to him at first glance but when I got to know him I fell in love with him. After six months in the relationship, we confessed we were in love with each other and we still are," she said.

I was nervous to talk about what I had been feeling about my and Gabriel's relationship but she seemed matured and experienced.

"Gabriel loves me," I told her.

"Everyone knows he loves you," she said with a smile.

"I love him but..."

She frowned.

"But what?"

"I think I am making him vulnerable," I told her. "My problems are taking a toll on his health."

She got up and placed her hand on mine.

"He is worried for you and you're worried about him. When someone is in love, it's natural."

"But I don't want to see him miserable with me."

"Then stop feeling miserable. Give yourself and this life another chance. He wants to see you happy," She said patting my hand.

She stood up and picked some medicine from the table and handed me a glass of water. "Now it's time for your medicine."

I took the pills and said, "Thank you."

The nurse switched on the TV for me. I laid there lost in my thoughts until the nurse came and asked me what I wanted for lunch.

"I'll take some fruits and grilled chicken with mushrooms," I told her, looking at the menu.

She smiled and left to get me my lunch.

I heard the sound of the door opening and someone entering in but I kept staring at the TV until someone cleared his throat.

I turned my eyes away from the TV and looked at Nate who was standing there with Tristan.

I sat up and looked around in a panic when Nate made his way closer to my bed.

"Calm down, Bella. He is just here to talk to you," Nate said.

"Why did you bring him here?" I asked him.

Nate looked at the Tristan who just stood there staring at me.

"He insisted to meet you just once," Nate muttered, glaring at Tristan. "You have five minutes, Tristan. I'm standing outside the door."

Nate walked out leaving me and him alone. I wasn't scared that he would hurt me. I was scared of talking to him and recalling everything that happened between us.

He made his way to my bed.

"Why are you here?" I asked him.

"I'm here to thank you for changing your statement," he said, gazing at my face.

His intense gaze was making me nervous so I broke the eye contact and looked down at my lap.

"You don't have to thank me for anything. I didn't change my statement because of you. I changed it because you said you would stop looking for that chip and leave Gabriel alone," I told him.

"And you trusted me?" He asked with amusement.

My head snapped up to look at the smirk on his face.

"I'm going to kill you if you even come near him!" I yelled.

My actions caused a sharp pain in my abdomen making me flinch. He touched my arm, looking concerned.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

I glared at him, flinching in pain.

"Of course not, you idiot," I snapped.

He gave me a smile and I was stunned for a moment. I don't remember seeing a smile on his face before.

"It's clear the police don't have the chip. If they had it then I wouldn't be able to come out," he said. "Your statement matched with mine and Gabriel changed his statement as well so I am clear now."

"Great!" I said sarcastically.

He tucked the strand of my hair behind my ear then started stroking my cheek. I was stunned and distracted by his actions. But I collected myself and removed his hand, scowling at him.

He smirked and said, "I promise I will not come after Gabriel again."

I relaxed and fell back on my pillow.

"But I can't promise that I wouldn't come after you, Bella," he said, gazing at me with sparks in his eyes. But his face had a playful smile on it.

Suddenly Nate and the nurse entered my room.

"Goodbye, for now, Mi Amor," he said.

"Füçk you, Tristan!" I said with my heart slamming against my chest.

His presence was making me nervous.

"In my dreams," he said with the wink, walking out of my room.

Nate glared at Tristan and walked to me.

"Here's my number. If you need me anytime and any day just contacts me," Nate said, placing a chaste kiss on my forehead.

"I will stay in touch with you, brother," I said.

He looked genuinely happy and grateful.

Nate left and the nurse gave me my lunch. I lost my appetite after meeting Tristan. I couldn't understand why he looked so satisfied.

I was suddenly concerned about Gabriel. I rang for the nurse and she came to my room, looking concerned.

"I...I am not hungry anymore," I told her.

"But you have to eat, dear. Nina strictly gave instructions to me to give you your meds on time and you can't take them without eating some food," she said.

I looked at the tray and sighed.

"Can I talk to her for a moment?" I asked her.

"She is on a break," the nurse informed me.

"Can you call Nick Emerson?" I asked her.

"I'm so sorry, dear. His shift starts in the evening. Call me when you are done," she said, leaving the room.

"Gabriel is going to be alright. He is going to come back to me safely," I muttered while eating some fruits.

I called the nurse and she gave my medicines. I noticed one pill was different.

"What's this for?" I asked her looking at a pink tint pill in my palm.

"Nina told me to give you this. It must be a new painkiller," she said.

I shrugged and put it in my mouth.

The nurse rearranged my pillows and I laid back on it.

"Can you switch off the TV? I think I am going to take a nap," I told her yawning.

She switched off the tv and turned off the lights.

My eyes shut down when the door opened and someone entered.

****

I felt something moving on my face, it had a soft feather-like feeling. In a panic, I opened my eyes and saw nothing except darkness.

My heart began to slam against my chest. The memories of the days I spent in the basement began to flash before my eyes.

Suddenly happy birthday music started to play and lights are turned on. There stand Gabriel, his both parents, his brothers and Nina around the round table with cake in the center. My eyes went to the roof which was covered with rose gold and white metallic balloons. They were all dressed properly in suits and dresses.
​
I looked at myself and gasped. I was wearing a beautiful rose gold maxi dress.

Gabriel made his way to me with a charming smile on his face.

"W...what's happening?" I asked him.

"Happy Birthday, Bella," Gabriel said, placing a kiss on my cheek.

His brothers made their way to my bed with a wheelchair.

"We are going to lower your bed and move you to the wheelchairs. Okay?" Gabriel asked.

I nodded my head. I was too shocked to speak.

Nick lowered the bed.

"Careful, Gabriel," Nick told him.

Gently, Gabriel picked me in his arms then placed me in the wheelchair.

Nick leaned down and looked at me in concern. "Did you feel pain anywhere?"

"I...I don't know," I told him.

He laughed and shook his head.

Gabriel wheeled me towards the table where everyone was standing with smiles on their faces. I had met his biological mother and his brothers but his adoptive parents were strangest to me.

"My mom Francisca and my dad Andre Russell," Gabriel said.

His mother looked sophisticated with the pearls around her neck and dressed in a burgundy knee-length dress and black heels. She looked older than Pamela.

"Hello, Bella. It's nice to finally meet you. Gabriel talks about you so much that I already think I know you well," Mrs. Russell told me.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Russell," I said nervously shaking her hand.

His adoptive dad was tall and had very sharp features. His grey hair and grey suit was a clear indication that he just came from a business meeting. He gave me a polite smile.

"Just call me Francisca, dear," she said and I smiled.

"This Frank, Gabriel's father," Pamela said, holding the arm of a man who looked a lot like Gabriel.

"Hello, Bella. Happy Birthday," he said, handing me a gift.

"Thank you," I said with a smile, feeling anxious.

A guy who looked around my age said, "You know me, I am Harry. I'm Gabriel's younger brother."

I shook his hand. He had light brown hair, square-shaped face with brown eyes. He was good looking with a personality of a heartbreaker.

"I'm Matt. Gabriel is two years younger than me," Matt said.

He looked like a mixture of nerd and frat boy. He had the boyish look on his face with a lot of confusion visible in his eyes. He seemed like a guy who would flirt to tons of girls only to fall in love with one. He had black eyes and dark brown hair.

I nodded at him with a smile.

Gabriel placed his hand on my shoulder and I looked at him.

"Why don't we cut a cake?" He asked.

They sang happy birthday to me while Gabriel held my hand and helped me cut the cake. Gabriel picked the spoon and feed me some cake. Nina came to me and kissed my cheek. She gave me a gift as well. Nick, Matt, and Harry also gave me gifts.

"Thank you so much for making this birthday so special," I said to all of them.

"You deserve it and more," Pamela said, giving my hand a squeeze.

"How about I put some music?" Harry suggested.

He turned on the music on a slow volume while we had dinner.

I never thought in my wildest dream that I would be celebrating my eighteenth birthday with strangers instead of my family. I blinked back the tears that were begging to fall down from my eyes.

Harry took a lot of photos of everyone including me. He was a friendly guy with a humorous nature. I loved Gabriel's family, he was lucky to have so many loving people in his life.

An hour later, everyone decided to leave and let me rest.

Gabriel stayed behind with me. He wheeled me towards the bed. I grabbed his hand in mine. "Thank you so much for this, Gabriel."

He kneeled down and stared at me. He wiped off my tears, stroking my cheek.

"This is nothing," he said. "I want to give you more happiness, I want to take care of you, I want to listen to you complaining to me every day and every night. I want to have those cute fights with you so I could listen to your sarcastic comebacks. I want you in my arms every night. I want to make love to you in every possible way, Bella."

I shudder at his words while my heart was racing.

He pulled out a small jewelry box from his pocket and opened it.

"Will you do me the honor of becoming my partner?" He asked.

I gasped and placed my hand on my mouth to stop myself from sobbing. I loved him a lot and I knew he did too but I didn't know he was certain that I was the one for him.

"A...are you sure about this?" I asked him.

I told him knowing that we haven't spend as much time with each other and we still haven't physically connected with each other. I didn't care about the physical connection at that moment because I was a virgin but maybe he would care about that.

"Of course I am, love," he said.

"We...we haven't gone that far yet," I told him.

"What do you mean?" He asked, looking confused.

"I...I'm a Virgin," I told him.

He laughed loudly.

"Gabriel, I am serious," I told him.

He smiled and glanced at me.

"Let me tell you a secret. Yes, I'm twenty but I haven't lost my virginity yet. I'm as inexperienced and new into everything as you," he said with a smile.

My mouth was dropped open.

"Is that a yes?" He asked, pulling out a diamond ring from the box.

"I'm scared," I told him. I wanted to scream yes but the anxiety was eating me alive.

"I'm scared too, Bella. But I know that I love you and for now that's all matter," he said.

I stared into his eyes and I knew he was all that mattered for me too.

"Yes, Gabriel," I whispered.

He slipped the ring on my ring finger and cupped my face.

"I know life is not going to be perfect but as long as you are with me I will survive," he said, capturing mouth in a feverish kiss.

I circled my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. His mouth was burning me like a fire. He dragged my dress up and started to make circles on my inner thighs.

I gasped and he deepened the kiss, exploring my mouth.

My head was fuzzy and my brain stopped functioning. He was all I wanted at that moment. His hand moved up from my thighs to my belly where he came in contact with my bandages.

He pulled away from me, breathing hard.

"What happened?" I asked him.

"I don't want to hurt you. I can wait for you to heal," he said.

I smirked.

"You really can?" I asked him.

He grimaced and nuzzled his head into my neck, placing feather-like kisses.

"I might die whenever I resist myself from having you, but I will wait for you to get heal completely," he told me.

"We can still kiss," I said, pulling him into another kiss.

He smiled and picked me up from the wheelchair then laid me down on the bed. His face hovered above me with a smirk.

"I love you, my mischievous partner," he said, showering my face with kisses.

"Gabriel!" I shrieked trying to stop him from giving me sloppy kisses.

We laughed, staring into each other's eyes.

I regret spending all those terrible days feeling scared of relationships and men because I didn't know the most gentle and precious man was waiting for me to come into his life.

__________________________________

Hello, lovelies!

I hope you've enjoyed reading this chapter.

Bella and Gabriel are engaged!

Do you think Tristan is going to come after Bella again or he is going to leave them alone?

Thanks for reading.

Please vote and comment.

Published: