Hope dies last

Chapter 6

Gabriel did his morning routine and went to the kitchen to get breakfast for him and Nathalie. But when he entered the room, he found it empty with the rope untied. At that moment the tray was falling out of his hands.

G:Nathalie...

After a moment, Adrien ran into the room

A: What happened, I heard a noise.

...............................................................

Adrien saw his father staring at the empty space on the bed, then noticed the tray of food that was now on the ground. Even though he understood what had happened at that moment, Gabriel spoke anyway.

G: It's...Nathalie...she...ran away.

Adrien looked at his father sadly, then walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

A: How did it happen, after all, she was tightly tied up

G: I loosened it. I thought...

There was a moment of silence before Gabriel finished his sentence.

G: I thought she was starting to trust us. I thought I was beginning to see emotion in her eyes. But... I was wrong. She was right when she said "hope is the mother of fools."

A: Father, I know you probably don't want to hear this but... it's time to let go.

Gabriel turned around abruptly with fear in his eyes, afraid that he had killed his son's hopes.

A: Let go, Nathalie. We reached out to her, but she rejected it. There is nothing we can do except let go. I know you thought about a happy ending but is it worth your constant suffering?

G: You're right, son, unfortunately you're right. Just as I didn't want to force Nathalie to fall in love with me, I can't force her to betray those she's relied on for so many years. Although somewhere deep in my heart I wants to believe that it is not too late for her.

A: I know, dad, I know. Gabriel closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.

G: Son, could you call your friends, we have to come up with another plan.

A: Of course, Dad, but are you sure? I'm sure my friends will understand if you need time to yourself.

G: Everything's fine, Adrien. You're right, I need a moment for myself, so I hope you'll wait for me for a while. I just have to think.

...............................................................

Adrien looked uncertainly at his father, unsure if he should leave him alone. However, he did not follow him. Once he disappeared into his room, he went to his and called his friends.
Gabriel walked into his room, sat on the edge of his bed and put his hands on his face. Nathalie's escape hurt him more than he expected. He sat there thinking until he felt a strangely familiar feeling. A very familiar butterfly mask appeared on his face.

Stranger: I feel your broken heart that once had hope. I can help you take revenge on the one who broke your heart, in return I want the Ladybug Miraculous and Paw Noir.

Gabriel felt strange, he had used the power many times but had never used it on himself.

Stranger: I feel like you want this power. You feel it filling you. We can help each other. You will take revenge and I will get what I need.

G: Do you want them, or do you get them for Supreme

Stranger: Does it matter?

G: Maybe not, but know that you won't get what Supreme promised you.