Mine

Part 6

Gabriel noticed Tamara as soon as she entered the gym. He straightened his posture, forcing his usual easy-going smile. He was determined to appear casual, but his thoughts were already on someone else.

"Where's your sister?" he asked, keeping his tone light.

"She's outside. Somebody from work called her. She'll be here any minute," Tamara replied, barely giving him a glance as she headed to the dressing room. Gabriel nodded, trying not to look too eager.

He lingered near the entrance, scanning the gym to make sure no one needed him, but his eyes kept darting toward the glass doors. His heart quickened when he spotted Delilah crossing the parking lot, her movements confident, almost magnetic. The automatic doors slid open, and she stepped inside. Gabriel felt the familiar rush—he couldn't hide his smile.

"I love seeing you here daily," he said, his voice low and teasing. He knew he was treading a fine line.

Delilah paused, glancing around the gym before flashing a coy smile. "I'll be right back," she said, her tone hushed. "But don't wait for me here. I don't want people to notice."

"They will if you keep looking at me like that," he replied, a playful challenge in his eyes. She flushed, her composure slipping for just a second before she turned and headed to the changing room.

But the moment wasn't private. Standing just a few meters away, Nora had seen everything. She waited until Delilah disappeared behind the door before stepping forward, her face a mix of hurt and anger.

"Is that why you dumped me?" she asked, her voice tight with barely restrained emotion.

Gabriel's smile vanished. He raised a hand, trying to quiet her, but she pressed on. "I just want to know if she's the reason," Nora insisted. There was a tremble in her voice, a desperation that made Gabriel's stomach clench. He owed her an answer, but not here, not now.

"Nora, please," he said softly. "Lower your voice."

"Why should I? Everyone knows we used to hook up. You can't pretend it never happened," she shot back, her voice growing louder. "I just want the truth. Is it the Torres Luna girl? Is she why you abandoned me?"

Gabriel took a deep breath. He could feel eyes on them, curious glances from gym members, but he thanked God that they were not close enough to hear the conversation. "It wasn't working out, and you know that. I told you, you deserve better—"

"Don't give me that!" Nora's voice cracked, and she took a step closer, anger blazing in her eyes. "I saw the way you looked at her, even back then. Every time she was here, you were distracted. I ignored it because I thought I was just being paranoid, that it was just like your other flings. But I was wrong, wasn't I? You were obsessed with her."

Gabriel's jaw tightened. He didn't want to talk about Delilah, not with Nora, not like this. "You don't understand. Stop making assumptions—"

"Oh, I understand perfectly. Everyone does! Lucas wasn't enough for her, and now you think you have a chance?" she hissed, her voice dripping with contempt. She was hitting every wound, every insecurity he had about Delilah.

"Shut up," Gabriel snapped, his voice sharper than he intended. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, don't I?" she sneered. "Lucas dumped Gloria for her, and she played him like she plays everyone. You're just another game for her. A distraction until she finds something better."

"Stop it," Gabriel said, the words barely a whisper. His anger had shifted to something darker—fear. A part of him knew Nora was speaking out of spite, but another part, the part that had spent years watching Delilah from a distance, was terrified she was right. Yet he couldn't let go, not now, not after coming this far.