The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

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After hanging up my call with Gabriel, my phone kept buzzing with messages from him and my talent manager, Sophia.

Sophia: Isabella, are you alright? Gabriel's been calling me nonstop, trying to locate you. You won't believe it-A photo of him entering the Lotus Suite at the Grand Plaza Hotel with Sabrina went viral this morning. They didn't come out until after noon! Management got the photos taken down after a few hours, but the damage was done. Chatter is buzzing with rumors,

Chatter is a social media platform known for spreading celebrity rumors.

Now it made sense why Gabriel sounded so restless on the phone.

He had cheated-with Sabrina!

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Despite promises to me just last week, Gabriel knew precisely what he was doing. After five long years of waiting and believing in us, my heart finally gave up.

I pulled my suitcase and headed to the secluded resort in Mexico where I planned to stay for a few days, Gabriel kept calling, but I ignored him. Frustrated by his persistence, I eventually blocked his number.

My mind was made up-I would spend the next few days walking on the beach, breathing in the salty air, and finally shutting down my feelings for Gabriel for good.

A week later, I returned to Century City, Los Angeles. Sophia handed me my final schedule for a few scenes in the series.

After wrapping up the scene, I expressed my gratitude to the director and some crew members for their care. Due to my minor role, I knew they hadn't paid much attention to me on set.

As I headed towards my dressing room, an unexpected face was waiting for me at the door: Gabriel. His handsomeness was as striking as ever, but I couldn't tell if the worry lines on his forehead showed real guilt or mere inconvenience.

"Let's talk," he said, his voice steady.

Glancing around, some staff members were watching us with confusion, likely wondering why Gabriel, who had barely acknowledged me on set, was now seeking me out.noveldrama

"Do you need something from me, Mr. Sterling?" I asked casually.

"Isabella..." he murmured, my name lingering in the air like a plea.

"Gabriel, if you're worried about your image, this isn't the best place to talk," I replied, "You know that, right?" I gestured subtly to the onlookers.

He frowned, clearly aware of the truth in my words. His shoulders tensed as he leaned in closer. "But please, return to the apartment."

The idea of speaking with Gabriel in person crossed my mind. Causing a scene in front of the curious onlookers wouldn't be ideal, and a few things needed to be collected from his apartment.

With a sigh, I agreed, "Alright!"

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His face brightened, his green eyes sparkling as if he believed I had given in again. It was a familiar pattern-just a little effort from him, and I would back down.

That night, I made my way to our apartment.

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"Please wait for me here," I told Sophia.

"Are you sure?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

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I forced a smile, hoping it looked more convincing than it felt. "Yes, babe. I'll grab my things and personally end my relationship with Gabriel."

"That jerk! He hooked up with Sabrina after those intimate scenes! I really hate him!"

I understood why Sophia was so angry. Gabriel always put his management duties first, even above our relationship. It drove her crazy that, after five years in a relationship, including the two years as his fiancee, he never stood up for me against the management's disrespect. Gabriel had a name in the industry and influence that could have protected me. So why did he let them belittle me all the time?

I took the sleek elevator to his apartment and entered the code that had been etched in my memory from the two years I lived there.

As I opened the door, I was taken aback to find Gabriel standing just a meter inside. He was dressed casually in a faded blue T-shirt and khaki shorts.

I instinctively closed the door behind me.

"I'm glad you came. I cooked dinner; let's eat together," he said in a warm voice. The aroma of spices wafted from the kitchen, enticing yet bittersweet. Steeling myself, I kept my voice level as I replied, "I won't be eating, Gabriel. I'm just here to collect my things. Sophia is waiting for me downstairs."

Without waiting for his response, I walked straight to the bedroom, pulled out the pink suitcase from the wardrobe, and began packing my belongings one by one. Gabriel leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and a furrowed brow betraying his frustration. "Isabella... when are you going to stop this tantrum?"

His words hurt, reminding me why I was leaving. He saw my feelings as mere tantrums.

I met his gaze, steadying myself. "Gabriel, I'm not just sulking. I've already told you-we're breaking up."

"But I don't agree!" he shouted, his voice rising with frustration.

I sighed, exhaustion settling in like a heavy fog. "Gabriel, I'm drained by this relationship."

He hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "But you know I'm only doing those things with Sabrina for publicity, right?"

"When you cheated, it stopped being about publicity." To my surprise, I remained calm. Usually, these conversations ended in tears, with his anger spilling over as he stormed out, leaving me alone in the dimly lit apartment.

His lips trembled, a wave of emotion threatening to spill over. “I messed up, Isabella! I know I did. Please... can you give me another chance?"

Chance? The request felt almost absurd, a bitter joke.

"Gabriel, how many chances have I already given you?" I pressed, searching his face for answers.

His mouth fell open, then snapped shut as he swallowed hard, a storm of regret brewing in his eyes.

"You can't even count them anymore, can you?" I finished, closing my luggage with a heavy heart.

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He noticed I had packed only a few things-just the essentials and some casual clothes.

I moved toward the door, pulling my suitcase.

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Before I could turn the knob, Gabriel clenched his teeth. "Isabella, once you walk

out that door, there's no turning back!"

I turned to face him, my voice steady. "Gabriel, the moment you decided to have intimate scenes with Sabrina without telling me, I made my decision to end things. If I truly mattered to you, you would have been honest instead of leaving me uncomfortable."

"Whenever you post about you and Sabrina, you should understand how I feel as your real girlfriend. Please don't contact me anymore. I won't say anything publicly about our relationship-that's my parting gift."

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, cutting off our tense conversation. I figured it might be Sophia waiting for me.

When I opened the door, Sabrina and I were caught off guard, the air thick with surprise and unspoken feelings.