Married To The Villain
Chapter 53: A Night Of Vulnerability

Chapter 53: A Night Of Vulnerability

Chapter 53: A Night of Vulnerabilities

Gabriel returned with a pitcher of water and a clean glass, carefully as he approached Lirian.

She sat where he had left her, the blanket wrapped tightly around her shoulders, looking into the distance and rimmed with redness on her cheeks.

"Drink this," Gabriel said gently, pouring the water and holding the glass out to her.

Lirian hesitated for a moment before accepting it.

Her hands were shaky as she brought the glass to her lips, and Gabriel stayed close, ready to steady her if needed.

"Better?" he asked softly.

She nodded, though her eyes were still clouded.

"I’m not drunk anymore," she muttered, a small amount of humor was in her voice. "Now I’m just embarrassed."

Gabriel allowed himself a small smile.

"You’ve had a long day. Embarrassment is the least of your worries right now."

She looked up at him, her brow furrowed. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

He blinked, caught off guard by the question.

"Because you deserve it," he said simply. "You’ve been through enough."

Lirian pressed her lips together , and she shook her head.

"I don’t know how to handle you when you’re like this. You’re supposed to be my enemy, hate me...you know?"

Gabriel’s smile widened...it was so soft and genuine. "Maybe I’m bad at being the villain...or maybe, I’m just tired of everything."

"No..." Lirian muttered. "You’re the greatest villain of all time...you just got unlucky."

"You talk like you know the future, duchess," Gabriel raised an eyebrow.

"You can say that..." Lirian mumbled to herself.

"I’m tired, Lirian...I keep fighting my whole life..." He pinched her cheek. "I’m a bad villain in your story, am I?"

A small laugh escaped her, it was unexpected and light. "You’re not wrong. You are a terrible villain."

"I’m relieved to hear that," he lowered his eyebrows.

He hesitated for a moment, then knelt beside her, resting a hand on the arm of the chair.

"Come on," he said softly. "Let’s get you to bed. You need rest."

"I don’t need to be tucked in like a child," she protested, though she lacked conviction.

Gabriel moved his head, raising an eyebrow once again.

"Oh, really? Because earlier, you were on the verge of passing out in my study while trying to rewrite your story."

Her cheeks flushed. "I wasn’t—okay, maybe I was. But I’m fine now."

"You’re stubborn," Gabriel said with a chuckle. "But you’re not fine. Trust me, I know exhaustion when I see it."

With surprising gentleness, he slipped an arm under her legs and another around her back, lifting her effortlessly.

"Gabriel!" she squeaked, clutching the blanket tightly around herself. "I can walk, you know!"

"I know," he said, smirking as he carried her to the bed. "But you won’t."

She glared at him, though there was no real heat behind it. "You’re unbelievable."

"Part of my charm," he quipped, settling her down on the bed.

He pulled the blanket higher over her, carefully.

Lirian watched him, her annoyance softened into something more complicated.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked again, but quieter this time.

Gabriel hesitated, meeting her eyes. "Because I care," he said finally. "Whether you believe that or not, it’s the truth."

Her throat tightened, and she looked away. "You shouldn’t."

"Why not?" he asked, leaning back slightly but staying close.

"Because I’ll just disappoint you," she whispered.

Gabriel shook his head, a small, disbelieving laugh escaped him.

"Lirian, if I were worried about being disappointed, I wouldn’t have gotten involved with you in the first place."

Her glare snapped back to him, and she blinked in surprise. "Involved?"

He smiled faintly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You’re... not easy to ignore. I’ve tried. Believe me, I’ve tried."

The room seemed to grow warmer.

Lirian shifted under the blanket, her heart pounded faster in a way that had nothing to do with fear or anger.

"You’re not easy to ignore either," she admitted.

Gabriel’s smile widened, "Is that so?"

"Don’t let it go to your head," she said quickly, though her cheeks flushed with color.

He laughed softly, a sound that sent an unexpected warmth through her chest. "Too late."

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the stillness between them felt comfortable but charged.

Gabriel reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

The touch was light, barely there, but it sent a shiver down her spine.

"You’re beautiful, you know," he said quietly, as if he was hesitant.

She looked at him, startled. "You don’t have to say things like that."

"I’m not saying it because I have to," he replied, his gaze steady. "I’m saying it because it’s true."

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Gabriel leaned closer, his hand rested on the bed beside her.

The energy between them was electric, thicker with unsaid words and feelings.

"Lirian," he murmured.

She swallowed hard, her heart started racing as she looked up at him. "What?"

"I’m not your enemy," he stated gently. "Not anymore."

Her breath hitched, and for the first time, she allowed herself to believe him.

Slowly, hesitantly, she reached out, her fingers brushed against his.

The contact was brief but enough to send a jolt of warmth through both of them.

"Gabriel," she whispered in a trembling voice.

"Hmm?"

"Don’t make me regret this," she said, like a warning.

His lips curved into a small smile. "I wouldn’t dare."

He leaned in, his forehead rested lightly against hers.

The moment stretched, so fragile and full of possibility.

Then, in a surprising burst of nervous energy, Lirian let out a soft laugh.

"This is ridiculous," she said, shaking her head.

Gabriel grinned, his own nervousness slipped away. "You’re probably right. But I don’t care."

She laughed again, like she was free.

As they sat there, the fire crackled softly in the background, Lirian allowed herself to relax.

It’s been a while, she felt safe—safe and maybe, just maybe, something more.

She finally closed her eyes, and Gabriel couldn’t stop admiring her long black eyelashes.

"I die every time you walk away from me, Lirian."