Gideon had thought she would break into tears and say sorry to him when they met again. He had even planned to take her back, tell her how much he had suffered without her in the past six years. Life without her felt empty, meaningless. But when he faced her indifference, all those emotions froze inside him.
It seemed she had already erased him from her heart. She no longer needed him in her life. The idea that she had moved on aroused an unrestrained fury in his heart.
"You said Danica framed you," he started, turning to her slowly, "that she killed her own child out of jealousy? Give me one good reason why she’d be jealous of you? She has everything – money, status, her own business. There was no reason for her to conspire against you. So don’t keep lying."
Summer sneered bitterly. Nothing had changed. She was still the liar, the cheater, and the heartless woman in his eyes. And Danica – she was the saint, a flawless person who could never lie or deceive.
"Yes, you would rather believe everyone but me. Forget it – I don’t care anymore whether you trust me or not. What we had is past now. I already let it go. You should do the same."
"Let it go?" Gideon grabbed her wrist, his expression turning fiery. "No...Don’t think I’ll let you go easily."
He would never allow her to slip away this time. Even if he had to force her, he wouldn’t hesitate. He would possess her – her body, her mind, her very soul. She belonged to him.
"You haven’t apologized to Danica yet. Back then, you ran away instead of facing her. You faked your death just to escape the consequences. Even after six years, you are still the same – heartless, liar."
Summer’s chest tightened. She assumed she no longer cared about what he thought about her. But the moment he labelled her a liar and heartless, she felt the same stabbing pain.
"Let go of me." She tried to break free from his grip, which made him even furious.
"Do you have any idea how devastated Danica is?" he grunted, tugging her toward him. "Adrian is still in the coma, and their only child is gone. She mourns that loss until now, but she never blames you for that loss. That makes her so different from you. And that’s what made me feel guilty. I feel like I am a loser. I failed to save their baby. I couldn’t make you apologize to her."
Summer couldn’t believe it. To gain his sympathy, Danica had maintained the image of a virtuous victim all those years.
’That conniving woman can defeat the Oscar-winning actors,’ she muttered to herself. ’And this blind fool believes everything she said.’
Her stomach turned as she recalled the butler saying that Danica and Gideon were getting married.
How ridiculous? Out of guilt and to compensate for her loss, he had married his brother’s fiancée. They probably have a child by now.
The thought made her blood boil. His touch made her skin crawl. She jerked her hand back.
"If there is a liar, it’s her, not me," she said defiantly. "I’ll never apologize to her. And if you have an issue with it, I’ll resign as your secretary. Hire whoever you want."
She turned to leave. The source of this chapter is g.com.
"Step out of this room without my permission, and you will face the consequences," he warned.
Summer came to a halt before she could take a step toward the door. She knew he wasn’t bluffing. Gideon would make her life a hell. She didn’t dare move an inch.
A small, satisfying smile touched his lips. Summer had not fully changed. She was still obedient, and he liked it. Maybe it was not too late. He could make her submit. Once she did, he would forget everything and take her back. He was ready to ignore her betrayal and accept Hope.
"I know everything about you," he said, "about your family..."
"Don’t you dare," Summer snapped as soon as he mentioned her family. She turned back to him with fire in her eyes. "Touch my family, and I’ll kill you."
Gideon, taken aback, stiffened. He had never seen Summer this angry before. The fire in her eyes was entirely new.
What had happened to her?
"This is a workplace, and I’ll keep things strictly professional," she added. "I expect you to do the same. You stay in your boundary, and I won’t cross mine. But if you ever try to hurt my family, I’ll make you pay. Don’t think I am weak, and you can intimidate me."
Having said that, she pivoted and strode out of the office, not waiting for his permission. Her whole body shook as she stepped toward her desk. Those words spilled out of her mouth without restraint, out of spite, but fear consumed her now. The thought that he might target her family to teach her a lesson twisted her gut.
"Stay calm, Summer," she mumbled under her breath. "You can’t lose your temper."
Inside the office...
Gideon didn’t move from his place, still looking at the closed door Summer had just walked out of. He couldn’t forget that fiery look in her eyes.
Summer had always been a soft-spoken person. Even if she got angry, she wouldn’t say hateful things, let alone threaten someone else. What made her change so much?
Curiosity and uneasiness churned in his chest. He took his phone and dialed Matthew.
"Find out what Summer has been through all these years," he commanded.
Summer wrapped up her work and let out a sigh. She was relieved that Gideon hadn’t caused any trouble that day.
"I hope he stays out of my way," she mumbled, stuffing her belongings. Swinging her bag on her shoulder, she stepped out, pressing her phone against her ear.
Behind her, Gideon exited his office as well. When he saw her leaving, he followed her. He could hear her speaking on the phone.
"Yes, I’m coming. Wait for me," Summer said, stopping by the elevator.
’Who is she speaking with?’ Gideon wondered, stepping toward her. His phone buzzed, his mother’s name flashing on the screen. He hesitated whether to receive it or not. The elevator arrived, and Summer slipped in.
"Wait..." He hurried over, but the doors closed before he could reach them. "Damn it," he muttered as he watched the elevator descend. He impatiently stabbed the button for the next lift.
Summer had no idea Gideon was after her. She was busy speaking with her daughter. "Hope, I’m in the lift now. This signal is bad. I’m hanging up now. See you soon."
Ending the call, she tucked her phone away. Moments later, the elevator whisked her down. She stepped out into the cold evening air.
As she waited for a cab by the curb, a car stopped beside her. The door opened, and a man came out, walking toward her with a smile.
Summer’s lips curled as well. "Landon!" She was pleasantly surprised.
It was her old friend and former neighbor. Back then, he had helped her escape.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Uh, I was just passing by and saw you. So, I stopped the car. Going home?"
Summer shook her head. Her smile faded slowly. "Hope is hospitalized again."
"I see." He nodded understandingly. "Then let me drive you there."
Summer couldn’t turn down his kind offer. Her smile returned. "Yes. Thank you."
Landon opened the door for her and ushered her in.
Gideon, who had just come out, hoping to give her a ride, saw the scene. His blood boiled in anger and jealousy. ’So she was talking to this man.’