Chapter 357
The next morning, Gabriel bathed Amelie with patient care as though she were the most fragile treasure in his hands. Afterward, he wrapped her snugly in a soft towel while he himself had put on a bathrobe.
Seated before him, Amelie let her lips curve into a faint, contented smile. Both she and Selene basked in the tenderness of the moment, the intimacy of being cared for by their mate.
Gabriel’s fingers worked slowly, threading through her damp hair as he dried it with gentle strokes of the towel. When satisfied, he set the towel aside, leaning back slightly to look at her through the reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were open, shimmering softly.
His hand moved to her neck while she closed her eyes for a moment. Biting her bottom lip, she hid the anticipation she felt at that moment when his fingers reached the mark of their bond.
With his free hand, Gabriel let the bathrobe slip from his shoulder, revealing the faintly glowing mark etched into his skin. His fingertips brushed over it with reverence.
“Finally,” he whispered, “your mark rests on me too p>
Amelie’s lips curved into a tender smile. “The last time… it didn’t appear. I’m just glad the curse somehow lifted from me,” she murmured softly.
Gabriel shook his head, leaning closer as his hands settled warmly on her shoulders. “Don’t call it a curse, Ame. Even without your mark, I knew you. I felt your every thought, every pain and every joy. Nothing could ever make me doubt what we share p>
“You’re right.” Amelie rose slowly from the vanity chair with graceful movements. “I’ll change into something more comfortable. You should get dressed too p>
“I’ll dry my hair first. Do you need help changing?” Gabriel asked gently, his hands closing warmly around hers.
“No,” she replied with a small shake of her head before slipping away toward the closet. She began sorting through the dresses, fingers brushing over the fabrics as she searched for something suitable.
Meanwhile, Gabriel switched on the dryer, running it through his damp hair until it was dry and tousled. Setting the dryer down on the table, he crossed to the cupboard and drew out a casual shirt and a pair of neatly pressed pants, readying himself for the day.
While cuffing his sleeves, Gabriel’s gaze drifted toward the closet, only to see Amelie stepping out at last.
She wore a flowing empire-waist maxi dress in soft shades of lavender and white, the gentle tones enhancing the serene glow that seemed to radiate from her. The long sleeves, paired with a delicate shawl draped lightly over her shoulders, gave her a grace that made him pause in awe.
She looked ethereal.
In her hands, Amelie carried a pair of ballet flats. Crossing to the chaise, she lowered herself carefully and bent to slip them on. But before she could lean too far, Gabriel was already there.
“Let me,” he murmured, kneeling gracefully before her. With steady hands, he slipped the flats onto her feet, fastening them with a tenderness that made her heart flutter.
When he lifted his head, his gaze lingered on her eyes before it fell briefly to the pendant resting against her chest. Adjusting it so it lay neatly in the center, he took her hands and helped her rise to her feet.
“The dress suits you perfectly,” he said, his voice low, almost reverent. “You look… beautiful. Truly beautiful p>
Amelie’s lips curved, and a rosy flush warmed her cheeks as she met his gaze.
“Your mother gifted me this dress,” Amelie said softly, smoothing her hand over the flowing fabric.
“Ahh.” Gabriel’s lips curved faintly. “She’s never one to compromise on taste p>
Amelie tilted her head, her gaze searching his. “How long will you stay upset with her p>
“As long as I can,” he replied
Her eyes softened. “Don’t wound her too deeply, Gabriel. She doesn’t show it before others, but when she’s alone… she cries p>
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then Gabriel exhaled slowly. “I know,” he admitted, voice low. With a shift of his hand, he guided her toward the door. “Come. You can have your herbal tea, and I’ll take my coffee p>
Amelie hesitated before adding, “One more thing. Be gentle with Katelyn. She’s afraid of you. I can see it in her eyes.” Her mind flicked back to the day before, when Katelyn’s quiet plea for Gabriel to send Sage away had gone unheeded, leaving only disappointment in its wake.
“Kate deserves such treatment from me,” Gabriel muttered. “It’s between siblings, so don’t pay heed to it p>
Amelie hummed softly as they moved toward the door, but the sudden buzz of a phone made her pause.
“It’s mine,” she said.
“I’ll bring it to you.” Gabriel stepped ahead, retrieved the phone from the nightstand, and glanced at the screen. “Your mother is calling.” He handed it to her.
Amelie answered quickly, pressing it to her ear. She gave Gabriel a small gesture to go on without her, but when he lingered, she shot him a pointed look. Reluctantly, he left the room.
“Good morning, Mom. Yes, I—I’m fine. When are you all coming here?” Amelie asked.
“Flora can’t come with us,” Samyra’s voice came through.
“What? Why? Is she alright?” Amelie’s tone rose with worry.
“She couldn’t get leave,” Samyra explained. “Though she’ll try to catch an evening flight p>
Amelie frowned. “Why didn’t she get leave? Mom… don’t tell me they’re giving her trouble at her new workplace p>
“I don’t know, Amelie. She won’t share anything with us. Your father and I both asked, but she brushed it off, saying everything was fine. I can’t help but think it’s the weight of her past. People haven’t forgiven her, and I… I can’t defend her entirely either. They’re the consequences of her choices. Still Samyra’s voice wavered, “sometimes I’m afraid for her p>
“Mom, I’ll see what I can do,” Amelie promised firmly. “No one knows better than me that Flora was influenced by Alex. She betrayed me because of him, but all of that is behind us now. Don’t worry, she will come with us. I’ll call you shortly p>
“Alright, Amelie. I’ll wait,” Samyra said before ending the call.
Lowering the phone, Amelie thought, ’Kate works in the same company as Flora. I should ask her what’s going on.’ With that, she left the room.