Reborn Heiress Is Remarrying
Chapter 42: The Boy’s Tears

Chapter 42: The Boy’s Tears

Chapter 42: The Boy’s Tears

As exhaustion finally overtook Diane, she gave up.

Her body that was almost naked, so vulnerable, sprawled across the cold steel table, her breathing was slow and calm.

Her soft curls framed her small face, her lips were slightly parted as she drifted into sleep.

Gabriel watched her in silence.

His fingers tightened around the scalpel for a moment before he exhaled and placed it down carefully.

He had wanted to push her, to make her shatter beneath him, to break her down until there was nothing left but him.

But right now...

Right now, she just looked fragile.

Gabriel sighed, rubbing a hand over his face before slowly pulling off his jacket.

He draped it over her bare shoulders, ensuring it covered most of her, protecting her from the chill of the room.

Then, without a word, he lifted her into his arms.

Diane barely stirred, only curled a little into his warmth, her body instinctively recognised his as familiar.

Gabriel felt something weird tighten in his chest.

It was unsettling.

Shaking his head, he carried her over to a nearby chair, settling her gently before stepping away.

He grabbed a book from the shelf—a medical journal he had read countless times before—and sat back down, trying to focus.

But his eyes refused to stay on the pages.

Instead, they kept drifting back to her.

The way her lashes fluttered lightly as she slept.

The way her lips would part slightly, as if caught in a dream.

The repeating rise and fall of her chest beneath his jacket.

Gabriel clenched his jaw and forced his gaze back to the book.

But it didn’t last long.

A vibration from his phone broke the silence.

He reached for it, and checked the message.

-Security: The shooter is awake.-

Gabriel exhaled through his nose.

It was time.

He stood, slipping his phone back into his pocket before turning back to Diane.

For a moment, he debated waking her—but she looked so peaceful, so completely unaware of the situation surrounding her.

So, instead, he simply lifted her again, adjusting her carefully in his arms.

She barely made a sound, only made herself more comfortable instinctively.

Gabriel smirked.

"So beautiful when you sleep," he murmured under his breath.

With that, he carried her out of the clinic, stepping into the cool night air, heading toward the car that would take them home.

When Gabriel entered their house, she was still sound asleep in his arms.

He walked through the hallway, silently as he carried her to her bedroom.

The soft glow of the moon spilled through the curtains, casting a peaceful light over the room.

He laid her down carefully, brushing a stray curl from her face before pulling the blanket over her.

She murmured something in her sleep, shifting slightly.

Gabriel paused, watching her.

Then, finally, he turned away.

As he stepped back into the hallway, a soft sound caught his attention.

A sniffle.

Gabriel stilled.

He followed the sound, moving toward the kitchen.

And there, sitting at the small wooden table, was Arthur.

The boy sat cocooned up in his chair, his little hands gripped a stuffed bear tightly against his chest.

His shoulders trembled, his head bowed, silent tears rolling down his cheeks.

Gabriel leaned against the doorway, crossing his arms.

"Crying alone in the dark? Dramatic."

Arthur’s head snapped up, his wide, tear-filled eyes locking onto Gabriel’s.

He didn’t say a word.

Of course, he didn’t.

Gabriel sighed, stepping into the kitchen and pulling out a chair across from him.

"You’re awake late."

Arthur just stared at him, his little chest kept rising and falling with uneven breaths.

Gabriel studied the boy.

His resemblance to Diane was undeniable—the same deep eyes, the same soft curls.

But there was something else in him, something more... guarded.

He was too quiet.

Too observant.

Too much like him.

Gabriel tilted his head. "Why are you crying?"

Arthur hesitated.

Then, slowly, he turned the stuffed bear in his hands, showing Gabriel a small tear in the stitching.

Gabriel raised a brow. "That’s what you’re upset about?"

Arthur looked down, his grip tightened on the bear.

Gabriel sighed, leaning forward. "Let me see it."

The boy hesitated again before slowly handing the bear over.

Gabriel examined the torn stitching.

"Easy fix," he muttered. "Nothing to cry over."

Arthur wiped his eyes, still refusing to speak.

Gabriel glanced at him. "What, do you think it’s ruined forever?"

Arthur shifted in his seat but didn’t respond.

Gabriel smirked. "That’s the problem with kids these days. No patience. No faith in repairs."

Arthur frowned, his lower lip wobbling slightly.

Gabriel sighed and pulled out his phone.

After a few taps, he set it on the table, showing Arthur a video of someone sewing a stuffed bear, stitching it back to perfection.

Arthur’s eyes widened slightly.

Gabriel leaned back. "See? Not destroyed. Just... needs work."

Arthur hesitated before looking up at Gabriel again.

And then—

A tiny, hesitant smile.

It was barely there, but it was there.

Gabriel arched a brow. "You’re laughing at me in your head, aren’t you?"

Arthur let out a soft, breathy chuckle.

Gabriel smirked. "That’s the first time I’ve seen you do that."

Arthur quickly wiped his face, trying to suppress the smile, but Gabriel shook his head.

"Don’t hide it," he said, leaning forward, but quieter now.

"The world is already cruel enough. No point in hiding the good things."

Arthur blinked up at him, his little fingers still curled around the edge of the table.

Gabriel exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

"You don’t have to talk," he murmured. "Not until you’re ready."

Arthur watched him for a moment before nodding slightly.

Gabriel pushed his phone closer. "For now, pick a color. I’ll get someone to fix it."

Arthur hesitated before tapping the screen, pointing to a deep shade of blue.

Gabriel smirked. "Good choice."

Arthur gave him a small, approving nod.

Gabriel sat back in his chair, watching the boy.

For the first time, he realised something strange.

He didn’t mind this.

Didn’t mind the quiet company.

Didn’t mind the fact that this boy—who shared Diane’s blood—was staring at him not with fear, but with curiosity.

He had spent days hating the idea of anything connected to Diane.

But Arthur?

Arthur was... different.

Gabriel sighed, standing up.

"Come on. Let’s get you back to bed before your sister finds out I let you stay up this late."

Arthur tilted his head as if to say, And what about you?

Gabriel smirked. "I have business to take care of."

Arthur watched him for a long moment before nodding again.

Gabriel patted his head once—just briefly—before stepping back into the shadows of the house.

His security was waiting.

And his prisoner?

Awake.

And screaming for mercy.