Forbidden Love That Wasn't

Gabriel

A few years ago

There were only a few achievements in his life that Gabriel Agreste was genuinely proud of. One was the time when, after a carefully executed scheme, Mme Bourgeois had finally discovered his genius and opened the door for Gabriel to become the fashion icon he was today. Another was his childhood sweetheart Emilie finally noticing him and after a few years of a whirlwind romance becoming Mme Agreste. Their marriage and the birth of their son were the pinnacles of Gabriel's life. No other time he felt so happy and fulfilled- until one day it all shattered with a horrible accident. Without Emilie his life had lost all meaning and even Adrien, the highlight of their marriage, couldn't keep Gabriel from sinking into desperation. As Hawkmoth he had been obsessed with one idea only – to bring his wife back. He didn't care what it cost him - any sacrifice was worth another touch, one more embrace and a single kiss from his Emilie. So, he persisted, putting Adrien and all of Paris in danger. It was all worth it. There would always be something to fix the damage, and if there wouldn't be, it was still worth it. Even Nathalie had thought so- at least until one day when she unexpectedly betrayed him by handling in her resignation and walking out. Gabriel had said nothing but when she came back the next day to pick up her things he couldn't keep it in.

"I apologize, M Agreste, but that won't be happening," Nathalie calmly replied on his demands to stop this nonsense and resume her work. "I meant it when I resigned yesterday. I've blindly stood by your side for years, but enough is enough."

When he pressed for an explanation, Nathalie didn't say a lot. By her words, his pursuit had become an obsession ruining his life, and that she was done helping him in what he would probably never achieve and, in fact, she wasn't even sure anymore that Emilie herself would want such a high price to be paid for her life.

"It's been years, Gabriel," Nathalie concluded, her eyes pleading but with little hope. "Probably a decade and have you moved even an inch closer to your goal? They always win no matter what you do and they always will. They have many kwamis, a team and a Guardian; you are alone and alienating everyone even further by succumbing to this obsession of yours. Your life is slipping through your fingers and for what? Your son has left-"

"He moved out for school, Nathalie! Many kids do-"

"Adrien's been dreaming of escaping this house for years, Gabriel," Nathalie snapped back. "Can't you see how lonely and miserable you've made him feel? Sometimes even I felt like he is an orphan with a living parent."

"He has everything he needs-"

"Emotional abandonment is a thing, and it hurts more than a physical one."

"That's absurd!" Gabriel scoffed. "I didn't abandon him. He can always make an appointment to see me."

Nathalie sharply inhaled and closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I don't know why I even bother anymore," she quietly added. "Like it or not, Gabriel, but you lost your son who is alive, trying to get back the wife who's been dead for more than a decade. If you are fine with that, then I have even less to do here than I thought."

Turning away, Nathalie walked off in silence.

"I didn't lose him!" Gabriel yelled as the door behind her closed with a thud. "Adrien is still my son even if he lives in a different place."

There was no one to answer him in his empty house, but despite that, he continued to yell all of the frustration out, until a now familiar sensation of pressure and burning coiled in his chest. Gabriel stilled and inhaled deeply, composing himself back to his usual self. A heartless traitor like Nathalie didn't deserve another moment of his and she, certainly, didn't earn the right to make him lose his composure. She wanted to quit? Good! The door was open! Scoffing under his breath, sick to his stomach and slightly dizzy, Gabriel walked away. Yet as he lay down to rest that night, he could help but admit it to himself - his house was empty, his career - barely surviving, his world all of a sudden felt like an endless void.