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Her gaze never wavers, and it’s then I realise there’s more to Harper Frazer than the girl who likes the spotlight.
“Are you suffering from morning sickness? If you are, I grow fresh ginger. I can give you some.”
My eyes flash to Kat’s. Apart from our initial introduction earlier, she is almost as quiet, if not quieter, than Gabriel.
“Thank you,” I say, turning to face her. “I’ve been suffering a little nausea, but it’s more a feeling than an actual event.”
“Lucky you,” comes a voice from the doorway. “I was barfing my guts up when I was pregnant with Lottie. Not to mention the stretch marks. I’m Darra, Elijah’s wife and resident pariah.”
“Darra, you made it,” Francesca says, getting up and moving towards the door. “Elijah has already left.”
Darra lets out a harsh laugh. “No surprise there,” she says. “Don’t worry. I won’t intrude. I’ll find my daughter and loving husband.”
Kat’s breath hisses on the sofa next to me.
“Congratulations,” she says, turning towards me and motioning towards Gabriel. “Make sure you tie him down.”
She turns tail before anyone can respond. My gaze shoots to Gabriel’s and I see the concern in his eyes. He places his hand over mine and squeezes. Could this get any worse? We’ve still got a party to survive tomorrow.
I observe Francesca, whose eyes follow the retreating form of her daughter-in-law, her expression reflects her sadness.
She pauses before turning her attention back to the room, plastering a smile on her face that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Caleb, set up, we need to get this party started.”
Gabriel leans towards me, his voice low. “It’s tradition. Every year we play Monopoly as a family.”
“We see who can win the most money.” Caleb chuckles and I can see the irony. A room full of billionaires, playing to outdo each other with paper money.
“I’m in,” I say.
“Good,” says Francesca, shooting me a grateful look.
CHAPTER 43
GABRIEL
It’s eleven thirty when we finally call it a night. I’m winning, with Leah a close second. My strategic whispers are likely having something to do with it.
Although Leah is laughing and smiling with my siblings, I can sense her distance. She’s put up a wall between us, and I don’t like it.
We enter my room and get ready for bed. Leah no longer hides herself from me. There’s no need as I know every inch of her body, where she’s most sensitive and what she likes. The same way she’s learned mine.
She grabs her things and walks quietly to the en suite, avoiding my gaze. I sink into the chair in the corner and pull off my shoes and socks. Tossing them down by the door.
I hear the shower turn on, followed by the tap in the sink as Leah runs through her nightly routine. I would normally be next to her. But tonight, I know I’m not welcome and I don’t like the pressure building in my chest, where I keep forgetting to breathe. Leah is my air and tonight that’s been withdrawn.
Ten minutes later, Leah comes back into the bedroom and makes her way to the bed, her gaze still avoiding mine.
“Leah?” I say.
“Not tonight, Gabriel. I’m tired. I just want to sleep.” She sighs, her tone relaying her exhaustion. She pulls back the covers and climbs into the enormous four poster bed, almost disappearing within its size.
She lies down and rolls onto her side, facing outwards.
I get up and make my way into the bathroom before turning back and reentering the bedroom. I stand in the doorway and face the woman who has come to mean more to me than I realised.
“Elijah, he was out of line. He’s got-”
