Chapter 3 Gabriel's Ghost, Brandon's Wrath
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Elena had been out cold for two whole days after Brandon brought her back to the villa.
In that foggy blur between sleep and wakefulness, she thought she saw Gabriel.
He looked just like he used to—gentle and warm, even in the darkest times. His smile... it still reminded her of sunshine on a cold winter day.
“Elena…” No one else ever called her that. Only Gabriel. “If I'm no longer here, stay with Brandon. He cares about you—a lot. Always has. I know he'll protect you.”
“Gabriel...” There was so much she wanted to tell him, so much pain bottled up inside, just like when they were kids. Back then, he'd always find a way to make her feel safe, like he could chase away anything that scared her.
Elena was the only daughter of the Cooper family. On her fifth birthday, her mom had brought Gabriel home—her new big brother, though they weren't related by blood.
Gabriel's mom had been best friends with Elena's, and from day one, Elena clung to him like glue. When her parents told her they'd be together from now on, she'd been over the moon.
At first, she didn't know anything. Later, she heard the whispers—Gabriel's family had met tragedy. His parents died unexpectedly, both gone in a flash.
Now, in her dream, Gabriel gave her that familiar soft smile and gently tousled her hair. His voice was just as calm as ever.
“What's up, little one?”
“I thought he'd be the one shielding me from the storm... I didn't think the very storm I feared most would be him.” Her voice trembled. “Gabriel, I miss you... I'm so tired. It hurts so much. Please…”
When Elena looked up again, Gabriel was gone.
“Gabriel… where are you? Come back... please come back…” She collapsed onto the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.
Time really is cruel. It keeps moving forward, completely ignoring how broken someone might be. Doesn't even let you take one step back.
That kind boy from her memories—he was now Brandon. A top officer. The pride of the Sterlings.
He'd become all blade—sharp, cold, untouchable. No longer her big brother.
A loud "c***k!" shattered her daze.
Elena clutched her burning cheek, staring at the man in front of her—his expression colder than ice.
“He's been dead for three months. How long are you gonna keep obsessing over him?”
Brandon's hand was still trembling, like his heart was splitting in two.
A fire had taken Gabriel's life. He was gone. But even in death, he lingered like a shadow.
His woman couldn't let go. She was even planning to run away—just for that man's child.
How was Brandon supposed to take that?
He snapped, pressing his weight down on Elena, ignoring her struggling.
His long fingers rested on her belly. “The baby he left inside you? It's gone.” The way he said it, mocking—light, but sharp.
Rip! With one tug, Brandon stripped her clothes wide open, smooth skin laid bare to the air.
And that wasn't enough for him. He used both hands now, tearing every last piece off her.
Elena turned her head away, her eyes empty, like her soul had gone somewhere far beyond reach.
Brandon flipped her over, desperate to take her in the most direct, primal way.
No foreplay. Nothing gentle. Just raw force from behind.
Through gritted teeth and a raw throat, he shouted, “Your body, your heart— they're mine. You hear me? You're not allowed to think about anyone else!”
He moved like he could get closer by force—closer than skin, closer than breath.
Tears welled up in Elena's eyes, pain fading into numbness.
She didn't get it.
Why?
Why couldn't he trust her—the man who said he'd love her forever? Were all those sweet promises lies?
She didn't want to look. Didn't want to think. Just let herself sink deeper and deeper... into the dark.
- Escritor
