Christopher lay in bed, his mind consumed by the haunting memories of his past. Sleep eluded him as he tossed and turned, unable to find solace. The relentless ticking of the clock filled the room, each passing second a reminder of his troubled thoughts. And then, a sound pierced the stillness—beep beep. The telephone.
Curiosity stirred within Christopher, overriding his exhaustion. He glanced at the clock—12:30 am. Who could be calling at such a late hour? Driven by an insatiable need to know, he rose from his bed, silently making his way to the telephone.
With bated breath, Christopher listened to the conversation unfolding on the other end. The voices were familiar, one belonging to Gabriella, the woman he had married through a contract, and the other to Isabella, Gabriella's sister. Their voices were hushed, filled with a mixture of emotions and secrets.
"Isabella, how are you?" Gabriella's voice carried a weight of sorrow and longing.
"I'm okay, and you?" Isabella responded, her tone reflecting a blend of concern and apprehension.
"I'm still alive, I guess," Gabriella replied, her words tinged with a touch of bitterness.
"Not funny, Gabby," Isabella admonished, her voice filled with sisterly affection.
Gabriella's voice lowered, urgency seeping through her words. "Izzy, listen to me. Something happened. Let Papa know. He doesn't have to pay him back."
Will Christopher set you free? Will you finally come home? Isabella's unspoken questions hung in the air, but before she could continue, Damien interrupted, his voice laden with concern. "Who are you talking to?"
"Papa, it's Gabby," Isabella answered, a mix of relief and excitement in her voice.
Damien hurried to the phone, standing beside Isabella. She switched it to loudspeaker, ensuring they could both hear Gabriella's words.
"Papa, I'm okay," Gabriella's voice trembled with a whirlwind of emotions.
Damien's voice quivered as he spoke, filled with remorse and regret. "My dear daughter, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I put you in this mess. I will find a way to get you out."
"Papa, you don't have to worry about me. I'll find my own way, I had to marry him so You don't have to pay him back," Gabriella reassured him, her words brimming with strength and determination as she ended the call adruptedly
As Christopher listened to their conversation, a mixture of emotions stirred within him. While their relationship was founded on an agreement rather than love, he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for Gabriella's well-being. Despite the hardened exterior he had cultivated, a part of him recognized the vulnerability that lay beneath the surface.
However, Christopher remained resolute in his decision to keep his emotions at bay. The world he navigated was one of calculated risks and ruthless alliances, where trust could be a double-edged sword. He had learned the hard way that vulnerabilities could be exploited, and sentimentality could cloud one's judgment.
As the conversation on the phone reached its conclusion, Christopher retreated back to his bed, the weight of his past and the complexities of his present weighing heavy on his conscience.