What Lies Beyond Chapter 23
At Lorenzo's—Gabriella was packing her clothes when Lorenzo entered the room. "Gabriella, as much as I love having you here, you need to hurry up. If your mother finds out you're here, we'll both be in trouble." "I don't care about that. You're my father, and I'm not going to not see you! I'm an Alcazar; we fight for our loved ones and have each other's backs." "Yes, we do," Lorenzo said. Gabriella felt dizzy and placed her hands on her face. "Gabriella, are you okay?" "I'm just a little dizzy. I haven't eaten yet," she replied. "Let's go downstairs and have some tea," Lorenzo suggested. They went downstairs.
Gabriella and Lorenzo sat on the couch. "Daddy, why were you with Carly?" Gabriella asked. "Gabriella, that's not up for discussion." "I just don't get how you could go from loving my mother to having meaningful sex with Ava, and now Carly. You don't even love them," she added as the maid entered with a tray of tea, muffins, and fruit. "Thanks," Lorenzo said as she set the tray down and left the room. "It's just what adults do," Lorenzo replied. "Do you still love my mother?" Gabriella asked. "I'll always care for your mother because of you and your sister. I wish Skye would understand how much I love both of you," Lorenzo said. "I do understand that," Skye said as she entered.
"Mother," Gabriella started, "Why are you here? I didn't even know you were coming." "I need to talk to Daddy and pick up a dress I left here. Mother, you can't keep me from my father," Gabriella argued as she and Lorenzo got up. "It's for your safety," Skye responded. "Daddy's business isn't why I was shot." "No, it wasn't, but I can't let anything else happen to you. I have a meeting to attend. I expect you to go to your boutique after you get your clothes." "Yes, Mother." "No more sneaking out," Skye said before leaving. "Gabriella, what did you want to tell me about your mother?" someone named Agent John Cates came to the mansion today and asked her about your work." "Thanks for telling me. Now I'll have my men bring the boxes in your car, and then you should go." "Don't do anything stupid." "I wouldn't. I haven't come this far in life, and nobody will bring me down," Lorenzo said. "No one brings the Alcazar down." "No, they don't," Gabriella replied. "I don't care about your business, Daddy. I love you as my father," she said as she hugged him. "I love you too, baby girl," Lorenzo responded. He felt guilty about Gabriella's secret.
