Reborn Heiress Is Remarrying
Chapter 38: Bound To A Mad Dog

Chapter 38: Bound To A Mad Dog

38: Bound To A Mad Dog

Gabriel watched Diane intently...

The green eyes of Gabriel were shining with something she couldn’t quite describe—something between rage and obsession.

She turned away from him, staring out the window.

’This can’t be my life. This can’t be my future.’

Gabriel sighed, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Why do you look so terrified, Diane?" His voice was calm, almost mocking. "I told you, I’m not going to hurt you."

She scoffed.

"No? Then what do you call this? You bought a night with me like I’m a commodity. You send me threats. You—"

Gabriel reached over and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.

His touch wasn’t rough, but it wasn’t gentle either.

"You act as if I had a choice," he murmured, his breath felt warm against her skin.

"As if I could ever let you go. But I can’t, Diane. Do you want to know why?"

Her breath hitched, her heart pounded painfully against her ribs.

"Let me go, Gabriel."

He didn’t.

Instead, his grip tightened just slightly.

"Because the moment I do, another man will touch you. Another man will try to take what’s mine. And that—" his eyes darkened a little, volume of his voice dropped, "—is something I will never allow."

Diane jerked away, glaring at him.

"You hate me, Gabriel. You said it yourself. You loathe me. So why does it matter who touches me?"

His jaw clenched.

"Because I should have been the one to protect you," he snapped.

"I should have been the one standing between you and everyone who used you, manipulated you. Instead, I was the fool who let it happen."

Diane’s breath caught in her throat.

He leaned back, running a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.

"I regret it," he admitted in a raw voice. "Every goddamn day, I regret not protecting you from the start."

Diane blinked, shocked. "You... what?"

Gabriel let out a bitter chuckle.

"What, surprised? Did you really think I never cared? That I never wondered what could have been different if I had just seen you for what you were? If I had just saved you from—" He stopped, clenching his fists.

She could see it now—his struggle, the war raging behind his eyes.

But she wouldn’t let herself believe in his regret.

Not now...

Not when he was still owning her.

"You say you regret it," she said softer but looking at him with an icy look, "but you’re still keeping me in a cage."

Gabriel smirked, shaking his head.

"Oh, Diane... you made this cage. You think I was going to let you go after everything? After you betrayed me? After you made me hate myself for still wanting you?"

Diane’s fingers curled into her lap. "Gabriel—"

"No," he cut her off sharply.

"I do hate you, Diane. I hate what you did to me, what you turned me into. But do you want to know what’s worse?"

She didn’t answer, but he leaned in, so close that she could see the wildness in his eyes.

"I can’t stop needing you," he whispered. "I hate that I need you. I hate that when I close my eyes, all I see is you."

Diane swallowed the lump in her throat.

"That’s not love, Gabriel. That’s obsession."

His smile was bitter.

"Love, obsession, possession... call it whatever you want. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re mine."

She forced herself to look into his eyes, her voice was calm and gentle.

"And what happens when I stop playing this game? When I walk away?"

His jaw flinched instantly.

"You won’t," he said simply.

Diane clenched her fists. "You don’t control me."

Gabriel’s smirk returned.

"But I do, Diane."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, tapping the screen a few times before holding it out to her.

Her blood ran cold.

On the screen was a list of names. Richard. Adrian. Rachel. Evelyn.

"I’m going to destroy every single one of them," Gabriel said smoothly.

"Every person who’s ever hurt you, used you, betrayed you—I’ll make sure they regret it."

Diane’s fingers trembled as she stared at the names.

"Gabriel... don’t."

He chuckled. "Why not? Isn’t that what you want? Or have you forgotten how they turned their backs on you?"

She swallowed hard. "I don’t want this."

Gabriel lifted his head. "Then tell me, Diane—what do you want?"

She hesitated.

And that was all he needed.

"See?" he murmured.

"You don’t know. You don’t know whether you want to run from me or let me burn your enemies to the ground."

He leaned closer again, his voice lowered again.

"That’s why you’ll stay, Diane. Because deep down, you know that I’m the only one who can keep you safe. I’m the only one who won’t leave you."

A shiver ran down her spine.

She shook her head, trying to clear the fog in her mind. "You’re insane."

Gabriel chuckled, resting his head against the seat. "Maybe. But at least I know what I want."

The car slowed to a stop. Diane’s heart pounded as she realised they had arrived.

Gabriel glanced at her, amused by her hesitation.

"Don’t look so nervous, darling. It’s just dinner."

Diane exhaled, trying to relax her nerves a little before stepping out of the car.

But as Gabriel followed, placing his hand at the small of her back in a possessive gesture, she knew—

This was anything but just dinner.

But then—

Something moved.

Before she could react, Gabriel pulled her roughly against him.

A sharp whistle sliced through the air.

Something hit the car door behind them.

A bullet.

Diane’s breath hitched.

"Wh-what is happening?" She stuttered.

Gabriel didn’t flinch.

His lips curled into a slow, pleased smirk as he turned his head slightly, checking the rooftops.

"Hmm," he mused, gripping her chin with an evil gentleness.

"Looks like someone else wants you tonight, Diane."

Her blood ran cold.

Gabriel let out a low chuckle, his fingers brushed her throat.

"Shall we find out who wants to die first?"