Reborn Heiress Is Remarrying
Chapter 86: The Distance Between Us

Chapter 86: The Distance Between Us

Chapter 86: The Distance Between Us

The days after the ordeal blurred together.

Gabriel had insisted Diane stay at home while she recovered, arguing that it was safer, and after a heated conversation, Leon eventually agreed.

The press still continued with speculation about Evelyn’s disappearance, but the three of them had stuck to their story: Evelyn had vanished without a trace.

No wolves. No blood. Nothing.

Diane should have felt relieved. Safe. But something was wrong.

And that something was Arthur.

At first, Diane chalked it up to the trauma. After everything her brother had endured with Rachel...her manipulations, lies.

He wouldn’t look at her. Wouldn’t come near her.

And when he wasn’t avoiding her entirely, he was clinging to Gabriel.

"Arthur?" Diane called softly as she stepped into the living room.

Arthur was curled on the couch, his small body half-hidden under a blanket.

He was sketching—something he’d always done when words failed him.

The sound of her voice should’ve made him turn. But he didn’t.

Diane’s chest tightened. "Sweetheart, do you want to come sit with me?"

Arthur didn’t move. His pencil scratched across the paper with quiet, careful strokes.

Diane took a tentative step closer. "Arthur?"

He froze for a second—just a heartbeat—but instead of coming to her, he closed his sketchbook and slipped off the couch, hurrying toward the kitchen.

Straight to Gabriel.

Diane bit her lip, swallowing the ache rising in her throat. It wasn’t just today. It had been like this since she’d come home.

Whenever she tried to get close, Arthur pulled away.

But with Gabriel? It was the opposite.

Gabriel could walk into a room, and Arthur would immediately reach for him—cling to him as if letting go wasn’t an option.

Diane had even woken up one night to find Arthur curled up asleep on Gabriel’s chest while he dozed on the couch.

And Gabriel... he didn’t seem to mind.

He was patient with Arthur in a way Diane hadn’t expected.

Soft-spoken. Protective.

He didn’t push the boy to talk or ask questions. He simply was there—and Arthur trusted him completely.

Diane exhaled shakily, forcing herself to follow her brother.

In the kitchen, Gabriel was at the counter pouring himself a cup of coffee.

Arthur stood beside him, tugging gently at the sleeve of his shirt.

Without missing a beat, Gabriel set the coffee down and crouched beside him.

"You okay, buddy?" His voice was low, easy.

Arthur didn’t speak—he never did—but he held up his sketchbook, showing Gabriel whatever he’d drawn.

Gabriel smiled faintly as he studied the page.

"That’s good," he said softly. "You’re getting better at faces."

Arthur’s lips twitched at the praise, his small fingers tightening around Gabriel’s sleeve.

Diane’s heart squeezed painfully at the sight. She tried to smile as she stepped closer.

"What did you draw, Arthur?"

Arthur stiffened instantly.

Without a glance at her, he lowered the sketchbook and turned his face into Gabriel’s shoulder.

The rejection cut deep.

Gabriel’s face looked pretty unreadable as he gently ruffled Arthur’s hair.

"Hey," he said quietly to Diane. "He’s just—adjusting. Give him time."

"I am giving him time," Diane snapped before she could stop herself.

The frustration bubbled too close to the surface.

"But it’s like... it’s like I don’t exist to him anymore."

Gabriel’s face softened.

"He’s scared, Diane. After everything—he doesn’t know how to process it. Right now, I’m..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully.

"I’m safe to him."

"And I’m not?" The words slipped out before she could swallow them.

Arthur clung tighter to Gabriel’s shirt, his small frame trembled a little.

Diane’s breath hitched. "I didn’t mean—"

"I know what you meant," Gabriel said quietly.

Diane’s fingers curled into her palms. "I’m his sister, Gabriel."

"And he’s still your brother." Gabriel was calm, careful with his words.

"But Rachel... she messed with his head. She tried to make him think you wouldn’t care for him. That kind of fear doesn’t go away overnight."

Diane swallowed hard, trying to fight back the burn behind her eyes.

"I just—I want him to see me again." Her voice cracked on the last word.

Gabriel’s muscles softened in a way that both comforted and hurt her.

"He will," he promised. "But you can’t force it. Just... be patient."

Diane shook her head, her voice was shaking a little.

"It’s easy for you to say that. He wants you. You’re the one he trusts. Not me."

Gabriel sighed quietly. "It’s not a competition, Diane."

"Isn’t it?" she whispered, the ache in her chest spread like wildfire.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"You’re his mother. You’re the one he cried for when he was scared. You’re the one who saved him. He hasn’t forgotten that—he’s just figuring out how to feel safe again."

Diane opened her mouth to argue—but the words never came.

Because deep down, she knew he was right.

She exhaled shakily, glancing down at Arthur’s small, fragile frame.

"What do I do?" she asked quietly.

Gabriel hesitated before answering.

"You keep loving him," he said softly. "Even when it’s hard. Even when it hurts."

Diane felt the tears coming, and this time she didn’t fight them.

"I’m trying," she admitted, talking in a loud whisper.

Gabriel shifted, being less guarded, more open.

For a moment, there was no arrogance, no teasing—just understanding. "I know."

Arthur moved a little again, his grip on Gabriel’s sleeve loosening as his breathing slowed. The tension in his small frame eased just a little.

Gabriel reached down, brushing a hand gently over the boy’s hair.

"He’ll come back to you," he promised again, quieter this time.

Diane’s throat tightened as she whispered, "What if he doesn’t?"

Gabriel didn’t answer right away.

When he did, his voice was softer...almost fragile.

"He will," he said. "Because you’re his home, Diane. No one—not even me—can change that."

And for the first time in days, Diane let herself believe him.

He was her brother, but the way he flinched near Diane made her more nervous...

Diane felt like his mother rather than a sister...that boy, he deserved more than Rachel’s hate...

"I will fix this..."