Her spine straightened as she walked in, her head held high.
The room fell silent, chatter stopped, as eyes followed her. This time, it didn't shake her; she expected their cruel look.
She felt Edward appear beside her, hand out guiding her to his family. She let out her breath.
She could do this.
As they walked further in, she saw his daughter with… people. She looked up at Edward- a question in her eyes?
As if feeling her gaze on him. "Yes, those are my family, our daughter is with" he said coolly, eyes still forward.
A smile spread across her face as Emilia spotted her, bouncing happily as she approached.
As the distance closed, Emilia ran into her hands, arms wrapped around her waist. Her fingers coaxed through her daughter's hair. "Did you miss me?" her brow raised.
"I looked around, and I didn't see you or Mr Edward," her voice whiny and low, her head raised to look at her mother.
She heard a scoff at her daughter's words, and her head snapped in the direction of the offending sound.
She met a woman's cold glare, the color drained from her face, realizing it was the woman who had rudely asked if she was the mother of Emilia.
Her fingers curled into her palm as she stared back at the woman.
The woman clutched her drink. Eying her." Edward, is this the kind of girls you fooled around with?" she said, clearly irritated.
"She seems quite dull" she added blandly.
Gabrielle jolted at the rude comment. She clenched her jaw to keep from punching the stupid woman in her stupid face.
She wasn't going to take this from anyone, though.
She looked straight at the woman. "Aren't you a bit rude for your age?" she snapped, her head tilted slightly.
The woman gasped, hand on her lips, in shock.
A young man she didn't notice, spat out his drink, his whole being shaking from laughter." Mother, she got you there".
Edward, who simply stood initially, stepped in. She feels his arm wrap around her. Her head slowly turned up as a shiver went down her spine, her lips parted as she stared at him in shock.
He stared right back. His eyes were intense and dark.
He averted his eyes first, clearing his throat. Breaking their bond.
"Mother" his hands leaving Gabrielle to adjust his tux," Don't."
" She is my guest. Treat all my guests with the utmost respect. It is the Harrington way" his voice low, a warning.
The words that left his mouth sounded foreign to her. She swallowed. Was he defending her?
"Gabrielle, this is my mother, and standing right there is my older brother, Adrian… Adrian Harrington" he announced, his hands gesturing towards them as he introduced.
HE turned slightly, almost completely facing her.
"Mother, Adrian, this is Gabrielle, Emilia's mother," his voice calm.
Adrian moved forward, a smile playing on his lips." Welcome to the family, Gabrielle," he hissed, his hands taking hers for a slow kiss.
Her cheeks burned red, embarrassed by the forward behavior. "Thank you." Taking her hand back and pulling Emilia in, she peeped at Edward. His eyes darkened, his hands lightly tugged at his collar.
His mother eyed them. Then she spotted the woman she had seen Edward with earlier, walking by. "Hi gorgeous," stopping her, " I saw you with my son earlier." suddenly cheery. "Edward didn't tell me he had a girlfriend," she said sweetly, her arms going around the woman for a hug.
Edward's jaw clenched."Mother," his voice a low growl.
She ignored his warning. "Edward, shame on you, not introducing this pretty thing," she continued.
He breathed out. Deciding to appease his mother," This is Eloise, Mother" he said flatly.
Gabrielle was not really listening to all they said. Her confidence, so carefully built outside in the dark, withered. Her long black hair curled in soft ringlets around her head. Her gown was a bit more daring with the low back, and the metallic green against her pale skin was simply mesmerizing.
Her heart lurched at the stark difference between them.
His mother noticed her unease and doubled down. "Is she just breathtaking-uh, Gabrielle, is it?" she asked, that same fake smile still on her face.
Eloise shook her head, smiling sheepishly. "Thank you so much. It is an honour to meet Edward's mother, He talks about you a lot" she replied, hands clamped in front of her.
She turned toward Adrian, not one glance at Gabrielle. "Nice meeting you again, Adrian."
Edward's mother jumped in." You knew Edward had this beautiful woman tucked away and you couldn't tell your mother," her surprised tone extremely exaggerated.
Adrian's eyes rolled. "Can't expose the tucked-away princess now, can I?" he answered, his feet swinging back and forth. "Otherwise, she wouldn't be considered tucked away, would she?"
His mother's mouth formed a straight line. "Hmm," her only response. She wasn't amused by his boy-like humour.
She turned her attention back to Gabrielle." How long do you intend to stay in my son's home?" she snarled, bitterness dripping from her every word. She glanced at Eloise, " I wouldn't want Edward's more permanent… resident getting the wrong idea".
Gabrielle's eyes narrowed at the comment, her breathing slow. She wasn't going to dignify that remark with an answer.
The silence dragged on. As everyone realized Gabrielle intended for the quiet.
Adrian, trying to ease the tension that coursed through the air. " Gabrielle, tell me, how are you finding our estate?" taking her away from it all, hands guiding her daughter as she moved.
His mother's voice stopped them in their tracks. "No, Emilia comes with me. Or are you trying to keep my grandchild from me?" her voice sharp, rude.
Not giving her a chance to speak as she waltzes Emilia away with Edwrad and Eliose.
Edward's face grim, complied. They were outside, and his mother knew this.
His mother's voice.. fading as his eyes darted back multiple times at Gabrielle and his slut of a brother.
Her shoulder seemed to relax, though worry still etched her features.
He saw her crack a smile, her fingers resting on his brother's arm.
His jaw tightened, the muscles in his face ticked violently. He didn't care for his mother or mistress, who was actively trying to grab his attention.
He only cared for the hand that rested peacefully on his brother's arm— the violent urge he had to tear them apart.