Married To The Villain
Chapter 85: The Morning After

Chapter 85: The Morning After

Chapter 85: The Morning After

It didn’t take many hours for the morning to come and greet them with a soft, golden light of dawn.

Lirian stirred, her head resting against Gabriel’s chest, his heartbeat was rhythmical beneath her ear.

She blinked, remembering the previous night, it started flooding her mind like a rushing tide.

A faint blush covered her cheeks as she tilted her head to glance at him.

His golden eyes, softened and drowsy, opened to meet hers.

"Good morning," he murmured in a husky voice while half- asleep.

Lirian felt her lips curl into a shy smile. "Morning."

Gabriel reached up, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

"Did you sleep well?"

She nodded, but her heart was conflicted.

While she felt a warmth she hadn’t experienced before, there was still the awkward tension between them.

It wasn’t just last night—it was everything that had led to it: his possessiveness, his jealousy, his overwhelming need to control.

"Gabriel," she began hesitantly, sitting up slightly.

The blanket slipped down her shoulders, exposing her bare skin to the cool morning air.

He sat up as well, concern was seen in his eyes.

"What is it? Did I hurt you?"

"No, no, it’s not that," she assured him quickly.

Lirian reached out to touch his hand, grounding herself.

"Last night was... it was amazing, but we need to talk."

Gabriel stiffened slightly, his jaw tightened. "Talk? About what?"

"About us," she said softly, her thumb brushed over his knuckles.

"Gabriel, I love you. I need you to know that. But the way you’ve been acting—your jealousy, your need to control everything—it’s not healthy. For either of us."

He looked away, feeling a bit guarded by her statement.

"I’m trying, Lirian. I don’t know how to be anything else. I’ve spent so long fighting, protecting, and taking what’s mine. I don’t know how to just... let go."

"You don’t have to let go of me," she said firmly.

"But you have to trust me. You have to trust that I chose you, Gabriel. Not Raphael, not anyone else. You."

His gaze snapped back to hers, his golden eyes searched her face for any sign of doubt.

"Do you mean that?"

"I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t," she replied. "But trust has to go both ways. I can’t live in a cage, Gabriel. And I don’t think you want to be the one building it."

Gabriel exhaled sharply, running a hand through his silver hair.

"You’re right. I hate how I’ve been acting. I just... I can’t shake the fear of losing you. You’re the only thing in this world that feels real to me, Lirian. The only thing worth fighting for."

"Then fight with me, not against me," she said gently.

He nodded slowly, reaching out to cup her face. "I’ll try. I swear, I’ll try."

Their moment was interrupted by a soft knock at the door.

Both of them tensed, their eyes darted toward the sound.

"Who is it?" Gabriel called in a sharp voice.

"It’s me," came a familiar voice. Raphael.

Lirian’s stomach sank, and she glanced at Gabriel, whose expression had darkened instantly.

"Go away," Gabriel snapped.

"I need to speak with Lirian," Raphael said, ignoring him.

"She doesn’t want to see you," Gabriel growled, rising from the bed and grabbing his pants.

"Gabriel, wait," Lirian said, placing a hand on his arm. "Let me handle this."

He hesitated, his fists clenched, before stepping back. "Fine. But I’ll be right here."

Lirian slipped on a robe and opened the door just enough to step outside, leaving Gabriel fuming inside.

Raphael stood in the hallway.

"I’m sorry to disturb you," he said, uncharacteristically subdued.

"What is it, Raphael?" she asked, crossing her arms.

He hesitated, glancing at the door behind her.

"I overheard... some of what you and Gabriel were discussing last night. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay."

"I’m fine," Lirian rolled her eyes. "And what Gabriel and I discuss is none of your business."

Raphael’s jaw tightened.

"I care about you, Lirian. I can’t just stand by and watch him suffocate you with his jealousy. You deserve better than that."

She shook her head.

"You don’t understand, Raphael. Gabriel might be possessive, but he loves me. And I love him. He’s willing to change, to work on himself, for me. That’s what matters."

Raphael’s jaw hardened. "And if he doesn’t? If he can’t change?"

"Then that’s something we’ll face together," she said simply. "But it’s my choice, Raphael. Not yours."

Before he could respond, the door behind her opened, and Gabriel stepped out, his golden eyes looked at him up and down.

"Are you done?" he asked coldly.

Raphael’s eyes narrowed. "This isn’t over, Gabriel. You might have her now, but if you ever hurt her—"

"Save your threats," Gabriel interrupted, stepping protectively in front of Lirian.

"She’s mine. And I won’t let anyone take her from me."

Lirian placed a hand on Gabriel’s arm, pulling him back.

"That’s enough, both of you. Raphael, I think you should go."

Raphael lingered on her for a moment before he turned and walked away, his footsteps were loud enough to repeat down the hall.

Gabriel let out a low growl, his fists still seemed still clenched.

"He doesn’t know when to give up."

"He’s not the problem right now," Lirian said, turning to face him. "We are. And we’re not going to solve anything if you keep letting him get under your skin."

Gabriel sighed, the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.

"You’re right. Again."

She smiled faintly, reaching up to brush her fingers against his cheek.

"It’s a good thing you’re learning to listen."

He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Only for you, Lirian."

Later that day, as they walked through the gardens outside the castle, a strange feeling of unease settled over Lirian.

The air felt heavier, charged with something she couldn’t quite identify.

"Do you feel that?" she asked, glancing at Gabriel.

He frowned, he looked around at their surroundings.

"Yes. Something’s not right."

Suddenly, a person came from the shadows—a hooded stranger with an aura of dark energy.

Gabriel immediately stepped in front of Lirian, his hand going to the hilt of his sword.

"Who are you?" Gabriel demanded, coldly and commanding.

The stranger chuckled.

"You’ve been playing house for too long, Gabriel. Did you think you could escape your past so easily?"

Gabriel’s jaw tightened. "What do you want?"

"To remind you of who you really are," the stranger replied maliciously.

"You might have fooled her"—his eyes flew to Lirian—"but we both know the truth. You’re still the villain of this story."

"Gabriel?" Lirian asked.

He didn’t look at her, focusing entirely on the stranger.

"Get out of here, Lirian."

"No," she said firmly, stepping up beside him. "Whatever this is-."

"Hahaha!" The stranger laughed again. "How touching. But love won’t save you, little girl."

Gabriel drew his sword, the blade shone in the dim light. "Try me."

The stranger lunged, and Gabriel met him head-on, their weapons clashed in a shower of sparks.

Lirian stepped back, her heart pounded as she watched the fight happen.

Gabriel moved fast with strength, but the stranger was faster, it looked almost inhuman.

"Lirian, get back!" Gabriel shouted, blocking a strike aimed at her.

But Lirian wasn’t about to stand idly by.

She spotted a fallen branch nearby, grabbing it and swinging it at the stranger.

The impact caught him off guard, giving Gabriel the opening he needed to disarm him.

The stranger stumbled back, his hood fell to reveal a scarred face twisted in an evil smile.

But while Gabriel glanced a little bit at Lirian, to make sure she was okay, the stranger stabbed Gabriel’s heart.

"Aah!" Lirian’s hands covered her mouth, her heart almost stopped beating.

"Ga-Gabriel..." She pushed herself to move forward, to help him, but eventually was paralysed by the magic.

"You see, this is the end of every villain," the man smiled. "You can’t save them all, my dear child..."

Something in the air sparked, and Lirian was no longer the one in the scene, but watching it.

It looked like a memory, made of fog.

"You see, Lirian...that’s why you need to save my husband..." A young voice called.

"Wh-who, who is it?" Lirian looked around, trying to see who was talking in the air.

"It’s me," a little girl with dark brown hair and bright like the summer’s sky eyes came forward. "Lirian..."

"You?" She raised an eyebrow. "Again?"

"You need to save Gabriel...he can’t die in this life..."

"What is this? What is happening?"

The little girl gave Lirian a small smile, "if he dies in this life with you, I don’t know what I will do to myself."

"Why are you doing this to me? Why did you show this scenario? Wasn’t it real?!"

The little girl let out a shaky breath, "no...this will happen in a couple of hours, so please, Lirian, wake up!"

"What?" She stepped back.

"Lirian, wake up!" The girl’s voice sounded tougher.

"Lirian, wake up!"

"Aaaahh!" She finally opened her eyes, to see Gabriel holding her in his arms.

"It-it was a dream...just a dream..."

"What dream?"

*knock* *knock*