Chapter 6

"You held my hand and said you'd been waiting for me for twenty years, right?" I asked.

The whole place was so quiet, you could practically hear everyone's heartbeat.

"Tell me," I said, pronouncing each word clearly, "did I come to you just for survival, or was it for something more?"

He looked at me, and for the first time, there was warmth in those usually cold eyes.

Then he spoke, his voice low and steady. "I was the one who sought her out first."

The whole room erupted in an uproar.

Natalya's face went completely pale.

Rayden stepped forward and stood beside me.

"Five months ago, at the Lanthea Hotel, I was the one who set up the meeting with her," he said.

I looked up at him in disbelief.

Wait, he set up the meeting? Wasn't I the one who planned to get him drunk?

He lowered his gaze to me, and for a moment, there was something in his eyes I just couldn't decipher.

Then he continued, "That night is my choice."

Natalya nearly collapsed, stumbling back and clutching the couch for support.

"Rayden, how could you..." she stammered.

Rayden didn't even spare her a glance. His eyes were locked on me.

"You're right. I've been waiting for you for twenty years," he said.

The whole room was stunned by this sudden twist.

I met his gaze and suddenly got what he was up to.

He was protecting me in his own way.

He was making sure no one thought I had any hidden agenda.

But why would he do that?

We'd only met twice.

Braden was the first to regain his composure, breaking the silence with a cough.

"Alright, since Rayden has spoken, this matter ends here," he declared.

He turned to Natalya, his voice cool and authoritative. "Natalya, go home. Don't mention what happened today again."

Natalya bit her lip, her eyes red and brimming with tears that threatened to spill but stubbornly stayed put.

"Braden, I... I was only thinking of Rayden's best interests..." she said.

"I know you meant well," Braden replied, gesturing for her to leave. "Go home now."

Natalya bowed her head, quietly answered, then turned and walked out.

As she passed by me, she paused for a moment.

From that angle, only I could see her expression.

She looked up, tears still shimmering in her eyes, but her lips curled into a cold, mocking smirk.

She leaned in and whispered so only I could hear. "Gabrielle, right? You think you've won? Let's see how this plays out."

With that, she turned and walked away, the white hem of her dress sweeping past the doorway as she disappeared.

I watched her go, a smirk forming on my face.

Let's see, huh?

Fine. Bring it on.

I had only got a few months left anyway, so why not see this through to the bitter end with you?

Once everyone had left, it was just me and Rayden in the living room.

He was standing by the window, his back to me, and I had no idea what was going through his mind.

I walked over and stood next to him.

"Thanks for earlier," I said quietly.

He didn't say a word.

"But... why did you stand up for me?" I asked.

He was still silent.

"Is it true? Did you really wait for me for twenty years?" I pressed.

Still, he said nothing.

I let out a sigh and turned to leave.

Out of nowhere, I heard his voice behind me. "That night, you said something to me."

I turned around.

He turned to face me, the moonlight casting shadows on his face, and for the first time, I saw a kind of seriousness in his eyes that I'd never seen before.

He continued, "You said, 'Rayden, I finally found you.' From that moment, I knew the one I'd been waiting for was finally here."

I froze, completely caught off guard.

Did I really say that?

I racked my brain, but nothing came to me. I'd had way too much to drink that night. Everything was just a blur.

But when I saw that serious look in his eyes, it hit me that maybe this whole survival game was never just me playing alone.

That night, I ended up sleeping in his bed again.

He was sitting on the ritual cushion by the window, meditating as usual.

But when I woke up in the middle of the night, I realized his ritual cushion had somehow moved right next to the bed—just an arm's length away from me.

His eyes were closed, breathing steady, like he was fast asleep.

The moonlight fell on his face, and his brows were slightly furrowed, like he was lost in some dream I couldn't see.

I watched him for a long time, then rolled over and closed my eyes.

The three little ones inside me started kicking up a storm again, even more energetic than before.

I gently rubbed my belly and whispered, "Settle down, you three. Let your dad get some sleep."

Outside, moonlight flowed like water beyond the window.

Behind me, his breath seemed to skip a beat.

Natalya's revenge came even faster than I'd expected.