Nightmares at Everglade Falls

23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Gabriel

Now

“Her family found out about our breakup and tried to marry her off to some abusive alpha. She was desperate.”

“And you think this justifies what I saw?” she asks, tears streaming down her face.

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of my actions. “I couldn’t let her be mistreated because of me. I agreed to mark her to keep her safe, but nothing more. I love you, Ophelia. Only you.”

She shakes her head, her expression pained. “How can I believe that when I saw you with her, like that?”

“Because it’s the truth,” I insist, stepping even closer. “I was wrong to do it without talking to you first, but I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t let her suffer because of me.”

Ophelia’s eyes search mine, looking for something, anything to hold onto. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you talk to me first?”

“I made a quick choice on my own. I didn’t think about how it would affect you,” I admit, my voice breaking. “But I see now that I was wrong. I’m so sorry, Ophelia.”

She looks away, her shoulders trembling. “I don’t know if I can forgive this, Gabriel. You betrayed my trust.”

“I know,” I say, my heart aching. “But please, let me make it right. Let me prove to you that you are the one I love.”

Ophelia takes a deep breath, her eyes meeting mine again. “You have a lot to prove, Gabriel. This isn’t something that will just go away.”

“I understand,” I say, my voice filled with determination. “I’ll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust.”

She nods slowly, her expression still guarded. “For now, I need some space. I need time to process everything.”

“Take all the time you need,” I say softly. “I’ll be here, waiting.”

Ophelia turns and walks away, leaving me standing there, my heart heavy with regret. I watch her go, feeling the full weight of my actions. I have a long way to go to make things right, but I’ll do whatever it takes.

I head back to my room, dreading the conversation with Isabella. She’s still there, sitting on the edge of my bed, her face pale and tear-streaked.

“What happened?” she asks, her voice small.

“She saw us,” I say, my voice flat. “She’s devastated.”

Isabella looks down, her hands trembling. “Now what?”

“I am sorry, but this was a mistake. There is no way I can go through with it.”

“What do you mean? What does this mean?”

“I am sorry, Izzy, but we will have to find another solution.”

She stands now, her eyes flaring with anger. “You know there is no other option, right? Whoever told your parents that we had broken up is going to tell them that you are still with the witch, and then what? What happens then?”

“I…I don’t know Izzy. I’m sorry…”

“ Fuck you!” She says, shoving past me.

I don’t chase her. My heart is already torn out of my chest.

*

The next day, I slump down in my seat, my mind a swirling mess of guilt and regret. Isabella is avoiding me, and I can’t blame her.

Hell, I’m avoiding myself at this point.

The weight of what I’ve done sits heavy on my shoulders, and I feel like the biggest douchebag in the world.

Owen slides into the seat next to me, his expression sympathetic. “Hey, man,” he says softly, “Aurora told me about the breakup. You okay?”

I shake my head, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “No, Owen, I’m not okay,” I admit, my voice heavy with self-loathing. “I messed up, big time.”

He nods understandingly, his eyes filled with compassion. “Yeah, you did,” he agrees, “But you didn’t complete marking Isabella, right? I have seen her around the school, and she definitely has none of your markings on her.”

I nod, feeling a pang of guilt at the reminder of what I’ve done. “Yeah,” I admit, “I couldn’t go through with it. I couldn’t mark her when I’m in a relationship with someone else.”

Owen gives me a reassuring pat on the back. “I think you did the right thing,” he says firmly, “It would’ve been worse if you’d gone through with it. Ophelia would’ve been devastated.”

My heart clenches at the mention of Ophelia’s name. “How is she?” I ask, my voice laced with concern.

Owen shrugs, his expression troubled. “She’s hanging in there,” he replies, “Dealing with the breakup, you know? It’s not easy for her.”

I grit my teeth, frustration bubbling up inside me. “I hate that I’ve hurt her,” I confess, “I hate that I’ve hurt both of them.”

He gives me a sympathetic look, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Just take care of yourself, man,” he says gently, “Especially with the full moon coming in. And keep an eye on Ophelia. She needs you right now.”

“She told me to give her space.”

“That she did, but you are smart. I know you can figure out a way to do both. You don’t have to be in her space to make sure she is alright. The last thing you want is to keep away from her and then make her feel abandoned. She wants to know you still care.”

I nod, grateful for Owen’s support. “Thanks, Owen,” I say sincerely, “I’ll do my best. How did you get so smart?”

“Love man. Love makes you smart.”

“I highly doubt that,” I mutter to myself. Because somehow, I seem to be making the worst decision I could each and every time.