Taming the Bitch (COMPLETED)

Chapter XX - Small Chance

Gabrielle walked briskly down the hallway after a morning bath, trying to wash away the thoughts of sleeping next to Vincent yet again. She froze mid-step when a familiar voice greeted her.

"Gabby..."

Her old nanny, Teresa, came running toward her, arms wide, a huge smile lighting her face. She wrapped Gabrielle in a warm embrace, and Gabrielle returned it with a sad, wistful smile. Teresa had been with her through every storm of her life, just as she had been her mother's nanny back in France. She knew Gabrielle better than most people could ever claim.

"I didn't get to congratulate you properly last night... didn't even welcome you the day before. I missed you, my little girl..." Teresa pressed her gently, then nudged Gabrielle back to look at her face.

"T-thank you, Teresa... I regret not saying hello properly. How's everything here?" Gabrielle asked, forcing a polite smile.

"Everything's great! Even better now that you're unlocking the secret garden again. They arrived early this morning and—"

"Wait, what?! Unlocking the garden? They... came?! Who exactly?!" Gabrielle's eyes widened, confusion bubbling in her voice. Without waiting for an answer, she sprinted to the secret garden—and froze.

Construction workers were everywhere, hammering, sawing, and renovating what had once been her sacred sanctuary. Emotions collided within her: anger that anyone had dared touch it, sadness that it had been abandoned for so long, and a flicker of excitement at the possibility of restoring it to its former glory.

Her excitement vanished as her gaze landed on Vincent, hammer in hand, working on her boat by the bridge. Her veins almost burst with rage. He was inside her secret garden—her childhood haven—unwrapping her memories and exposing them again, memories laced with joy and grief alike.

"Good morning, Mrs. Walton," a worker greeted cheerfully. Gabrielle glared at him. Mrs. Walton?!

Vincent, as if sensing her gaze, looked up, a proud smile playing on his lips. He surveyed the garden, satisfied with the progress, before striding toward her.

All Gabrielle offered him was a glare as she stormed back to the manor, footsteps heavy, ignoring his calls.

"Bella..." he called softly, following her to the library. He reached for her hand as she wheeled around, free hand raised, fury burning in her eyes.

"Who gave you the right to do whatever the hell you want in my place?!" she shouted.

"Who gave you the right to interfere in my life, Walton?! You think I appreciate your gestures? Who the hell do you think you are?!"

"I'm your husband! Maybe that doesn't mean anything to you, Gabrielle Ralph, but it means everything to me!" His voice rose, frustration and desperation lacing every word. "I promised myself I wouldn't care... but I do. I want to make you happy! I want to turn you into my real wife! I want to be the husband you deserve!"

"Who asked you to do that for me?! I don't want your gestures, Walton! You'll never be more than a paid swine trying to gain from my father! I don't need a loving husband—I'll never be that kind of wife!"

"Not all men are like your ex, Gabrielle. Not all kindness comes with a price. I want to love you—I truly do. I gave you my word to be your husband through everything, Bella. And every time I reach out, you build walls around yourself." His voice softened, pain flickering in his eyes.

For a moment, Gabrielle felt something stir within her—a pull, a longing. His words, his honesty, the raw vulnerability on his face made her want to believe him. But she remembered her past, the lies, the betrayals, the devastation she had endured. She couldn't let herself be hurt again.

"Open your heart, even a little... a single chance. That's all I'm asking. Just a chance to be your friend if you can't accept me as your husband... is that really too much?" His eyes searched hers, pleading.

"I just want to give you everything you deserve... that's all I want." Mist glimmered in his eyes as he turned, walking away for the first time, leaving Gabrielle gasping for breath. She wiped at her tears, furious with herself for being affected, for even considering letting him in.

Later, at the long dining table, Gabrielle felt suffocated, seated beside Vincent. Her father entertained his powerful friends, while Vincent remained silent, as stoic as she was, letting the chatter flow around them.

"So... what's the next plan, Vincent?" one of the guests asked.

"The hotel in Munich will open soon after the Berlin one..."

"Give them time to breathe, Francisco," Vincent's grandfather interrupted. "They just got married. Not the time for business talk... and they're supposed to be making little Davis-Walton babies." Gabrielle choked on her food, coughing, while Vincent immediately offered her water and rubbed her back soothingly.

"Excuse us... she needs space," he murmured, lifting her gently. Her father spoke over him.

"They're leaving for Dubai tomorrow via private jet for the honeymoon. They'll attend a convention first, then have time to enjoy themselves. Plenty of time for Gabby's humanitarian interests too."

Gabrielle's eyes met Vincent's. She groaned at the thought of spending more time with him under her father's arrangements. With a heavy sigh, she rolled her eyes and marched out of the dining area, Vincent following silently behind.

Like always.