Page 9 of The Rain of Love

“One truth, I lied this morning,” Gabriel says after returning from somewhere.

I raise my eyebrows at him. After our early breakfast, we went to a park where everyone was busy preparing for a town sale event. Gabriel asked me to stay at a spot as he needed to go somewhere. I figured the Mallows’ sent him on another errand.He lied.Has he given up? Gabriel never raised the proposal again.

Of course. Why would Gabriel marry me? I'm not somebody gorgeous somebody like him would be proud to have as his wife. Also, I'm not the safe choice. So, part of me is thankful that he did give up.

But I can’t help but feel sad about it. Gabriel is the best choice! For starters, he's drop-dead gorgeous! Blue eyes, blond hair, and a charming smile. I like his dominant aura and love his gentle soul. I don't know if he's a man who keeps his word, but he didn't even doubt the things I told him.

Many men would doubt that I'm a daughter of a powerful Bratva and promised to a Bratva heir. They might even think I'm only making up stories. But Gabriel never questioned me about it. Instead, he promised to get me away from it – which is something I wished for. I don't believe he'll be able to take me away, but he's giving me hope that I may have a taste of what I wish. To be loved by somebody.

“It’s not true that I have nothing to offer,” Gabriel sits next to me and holds my hand. My eyes widen when he takes out a ring with a large ruby. Before I can say something, he explains, “I did not steal it or rob anyone.”

"No. I never thought you did," I quickly correct Gabriel. "I was just curious where…"

"It's my mother's engagement ring. My biological mother," Gabriel squeezes the ring in his palm. Somehow, I feel that he is reluctant to give it to me. "It's the only thing I have left of her."

A ruby ring.My mother collected jewelry, and Papa gifted her collection to me when I turned eighteen. I remember having one so similar to what Gabriel has. Her mother must have belonged to a wealthy family to have something as expensive as the ring.

“I’m not that poor, Sasha,” Gabriel’s confession puzzles me more. “My parents were rich – through illegal means. That’s why I believed what you told me about your father.”

“Y-you…” I don’t know what to say.

"When I was young, somebody broke into our house and brought hell to us," Gabriel's confession covers me with a strange current – as if what he told has a connection to me. "They took everything my parents owned. They only left me with my mother's ring and the house where my parents died."

One of his father’s friends, who is also a friend of the traitor, hid him in a closet before the traitor massacred his family. His savior brought him to a small town and hid him in a foster home. They also changed his name to Edward Mullin to keep him safe.

“After I found out the truth, I never had peace in my life,” Gabriel confessed. “I caused many troubles while trying to get over my anger. I also made a lot of stupid… decisions.”

My heart aches for him. Like a vicious hand has snatched it and wrung it hard until tears run down my cheeks. I'm furious at the man who caused him all the pain. If I were Gabriel, I would take revenge against that man and make him pay for what he'd done.

I lock my fingers with his and squeeze his hands. It's one of those times when I regret not being able to use my father's power. I would not hesitate to ask Papa to do it for Gabriel. But I can't do that. In a way, Gabriel has become my father's enemy – all because we are falling for each other.

"But I love the peace I have with you now, Sasha. And I'm done with stupid decisions," Gabriel slides his hand from mine and shows me the ring again. "You may think this is stupid after all you told me about you."

“No…”

"No?" Gabriel's face dims, and his eyes darken. His face looks familiar. It's the same face I saw through the window when I first saw him. A face that once scared me.

"No. It’s not stupid.”

“But you don’t want to marry me,” Gabriel still frowns.

“Let’s think straight here, Gabriel,” I hold back my tongue for a while to refrain from accepting his proposal. “I know we will have a lot of time to get to know each other…”

“Just say no. You don’t have to explain. You have the right to refuse, Sasha,” Gabriel wraps the ring in his hand.

A surge of fear erupts in my heart, and a dozen "what ifs" cross my mind. I'm terrified of making the mistake of letting the right person go. But I'm also scared that this love may not last. Gabriel is willing to make sacrifices for us to enjoy more of our happiness, but what if… it's not worth it. What if he'll hate me in the end? Or we'll end up hating each other.

I hold Gabriel's wrist before he can keep the ring. He looks at me, but I avoid his eyes. My heart pounds loudly and fast. At the back of my head, there's a voice telling me to let it go. But I'm terrified that if I let go, I may be letting go of my happiness.

"Yes," I say under a loud breath. Gabriel's face lights up with delight. "I'll marry you, but not so fast, okay? Let's date for a little longer."

“How about your father?” Gabriel reminds me. “If we don’t get married soon, he can still force you to marry that guy.”

Even if we’re married, my father can still find a way to marry me off to Dmitri Fador. Worse, if Gabriel is my husband, Papa cannot end it by just taking me away. I'll still be Gabriel's wife. Divorce will take a long time. It'll hamper any plans he has. Papa's only remedy could be Gabriel's death. I cannot let that happen.

But if Gabriel only remains my fiancé, Papa will find us. Papa may only threaten Gabriel or keep him away from me until I marry Dmitri. I'll do anything to keep him alive. I could never live in peace knowing somebody who loved me died because I became too selfish.

"Let's run away for now. Enjoy our moments together," Gabriel still looks disappointed with my suggestion. I caress his left cheek before planting a kiss on it. "If I marry you now, it'll be like marrying Dmitri. I still don't know much about you. And you to me."

---