Page 80 of He Doesn't Deserve You

“I couldn’t find parking,” Emily apologized, her face lighting up at seeing the two-year-old toddler sitting on Gabriel’s lap. “Hey, Owen.” She gently took his chubby little hand in hers and kissed it tenderly. “I didn’t know you would have Owen today.”

“Yeah, the Rossi’s are out of town. I’ve got him for the weekend,” Gabriel explained.

“Hi, Daddy,” Ava said, trying to climb into his lap, clearly jealous that she was no longer the baby.

“Here, let me take him,” Emily offered, gently lifting Owen from Gabriel’s arms so Ava could settle onto her father’s lap.

“Hunter mentioned you got a new job,” Emily said.

“Yeah, you’re looking at the new medical consultant for Aetna. I figured it might be time to step away from direct patient care.”

“That’s great!”

Gabriel patted Emily on the shoulder, “And what about you? Sydney told me you got back into your old advertising agency. I knew they would take you back. You were one of their best employees.”

“Thanks,” Emily replied, her face lighting up with a smile. “It’s only been six months since I returned, and I’m already being promoted.”

“That’s awesome! You deserve it, Em.”

Just then, the principal approached the podium, quieting the crowd down. “Good afternoon,” he said, “and welcome to the Summit Heights High School Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony. I am immensely proud and honored to present to you the graduating class of 2026.” As the crowd erupted in cheers, Emily glanced at Gabriel, feeling deeply grateful that he was here to witness this monumental moment in the boys’ lives. Gabriel caught her gaze and smiled as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

After the ceremony, Hayden and Hunter found them in the crowd. Emily hugged the boys and said, “I’m so proud of you both.”

As she held them, she thought about how they had handled themselves over the past two years, navigating through such difficult times. Gabriel’s suicide attempt, their divorce, selling the house, and moving—all these challenges had tested them. Yet, they had emerged stronger and more resilient. They had remarkably transformed from the spoiled rich kids they once were into young men she was proud to have helped raise.

“Thank you,” they said in unison, just before being swept away by their friends in celebration.

Gabriel turned to Emily and asked, “You’re coming back to the house, right?”

Emily smiled warmly. “Of course.”

Gabriel smiled, “Good, I’ll see you there.”

Emily spent the next several hours savoring a delectable buffet, indulging in cake, and enjoying the lively company at the graduation party. Time flew by, and before she knew it, it was eight o’clock. Realizing she needed to get Ava home and ready for bed, she took her daughter’shand and went in search of Gabriel. She found him in the living room and approached him with a smile.

“We’re heading out. I just wanted to say goodbye,” she said warmly.

Gabriel picked his daughter up. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he said, “I’ll walk you guys out.”

Gabriel gently carried Ava to the car while Emily unlocked and opened the door. He carefully buckled Ava into her car seat and closed the passenger door. He turned to Emily and said, “Thank you.”

“For what?” Emily asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

Gabriel met her gaze, his eyes filled with gratitude. “For saving me. I would have missed so much if it weren’t for you.”

“You’re welcome,” Emily hugged him before getting into the car and driving away.

Emily had just put Ava to bed and finally settled onto the couch to watch some TV. Her eyes drifted to the stack of moving boxes still waiting to be unpacked, but she felt too exhausted to tackle them now. Suddenly, a knock echoed through the quiet house.Who could that be at this hour?she thought as she made her way to the door. Peering through the peephole, she hesitated momentarily before turning the handle and opening it.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice laced with surprise. Months had passed since she last spoke to Roman, and she had no idea how he had found her.

“I bumped into Sydney, and she mentioned that you left Gabriel. Is that true?”

“Yeah,” she replied, her voice tinged with sadness.

“I hope it was alright that she shared your address with me.”

“It’s fine. I’ve been meaning to call you, anyway.”

Emily took a good look at him, noticing his disheveled appearance and the exhaustion etched on his face. A wave of concern washed over her. “Are you okay?” she asked gently.

“No,” he admitted, his voice quivering as emotion rose inside him.“I’ve missed you,” he confessed, each word carrying the weight of his longing.

Emily reached out her hand, holding back tears. “I’ve missed you too,” she whispered, drawing him into the house and the warmth of her embrace. Together, they closed the door, leaving the past behind and stepping into a future filled with hope and love.

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