Page 2 of He Doesn't Deserve You

“I can’t just say it outright. It’ll hurt her feelings,” Emily explained.

“Do you want me to do it for you?” Sydney offered, “I don’t mind.”

Before they could continue the conversation, a twenty-something aerobics instructor entered the room and clapped her hands together. “Good morning, ladies! Who’s ready to get their groove on?”

Without waiting for a response, the instructor made her way to the stereo and started the music. An hour later, Emily wiped the sweat from her face with a towel and turned to Sydney, “I can’t wait for this weekend. I need a break from the kids.”

“Me too, and I only have one. I don’t know how you handle those two monsters,” Sydney commented.

“It’s not easy, trust me.”

“Do you want to grab a bite to eat?” Sydney asked as they made their way to the parking lot.

“No, Gabriel will be home soon. I want to spend a little time with him before he goes to sleep.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later then.”

“Yeah, bye.” Emily shot Sydney a smile and a quick wave before parting ways and heading to her car.

Upon returning home, Emily set her keys on the foyer table and informed the housekeeper, Agnes. “I’m going to take a shower,” as she hurried past her and ascended the stairs.

Taking a brief pause, Agnes replied, “Okay, Mrs. Anderson,” before resuming her floor-washing duties.

Standing under the steaming water with closed eyes, Emily didn’t hear Gabriel enter the bathroom. He swiftly shed his scrubs, getting entirely naked, and slipped into the shower before she realized he was there. Startled, Emily exclaimed, “What are you doing? Agnes is here!”

“I’m taking a shower with my wife. Agnes is downstairs; she can’t hear us,” Gabriel reassured her. Standing behind her, he lathered up a sponge and gently ran it down her back, evoking an immediate sense of arousal in Emily.

She rested her head on his neck and sighed, “I’ve missed you.”

Turning her to face him, he whispered in a husky voice, “I’m going to show you how much I’ve missed you.”

2

On Thursday evening, Emily had finished packing her bags, her excitement for the upcoming getaway palpable. That night, a rare occasion when the whole family dined together, Emily gently reminded the kids that she would be away for the weekend. She reassured them that Gabriel and Agnes, their housekeeper, would be there to care for everything.

“Can I come with you, Mommy?” Ava pleaded, her eyes wide with hope.

Emily reached across the table and gently touched Ava’s hand, reassuringly squeezing it. “Not this time, sweetheart,” she said softly. “This trip is just for Mommy, but remember, we have that trip to the mountains soon.”

Ava’s spirits lifted instantly, and her eyes lit up. “Oh yeah!” she exclaimed.

Turning to her older brother, she asked eagerly, “Will you teach me to ski, Hayden?”

Hayden looked at her as if she had suggested something absurd. “No! You’re too young.”

Disheartened, Ava’s smile faded, and her head sank.

Emily looked sternly at Gabriel, silently urging him to address Hayden’s dismissive remark.

Oblivious to the fact that he had hurt Ava’s feelings, Hayden stood. “May I be excused?” he asked.

Gabriel nodded, “Yeah,” much to Emily’s frustration.

Hayden walked away from the table, seemingly indifferent to the upset he’d caused.

Exasperated, Emily threw her hands up in frustration, gathered Ava into her arms, and stormed out of the room, intent on consoling her daughter.

Later that evening, after tucking Ava into bed after a warm bath and her favorite bedtime story, Emily kissed her daughter goodnight and retreated to her bedroom. As she entered, Gabriel glanced up from the medical journal he had been engrossed in. He set the book aside on his lap and met Emily’s gaze. Offering a reserved smile, he asked softly, “Are you still upset with me?”

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