CHAPTER 321: LOVE CAN’T BE FORCED

Gabriel finally returned home with Casaio at his side, though the storm in his expression hadn’t settled. The anger still clung to him like a shadow.

"Karmen, later," Gabriel muttered sharply, not even glancing at him. "I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone." Without waiting for a reply, he headed straight to his room, where Amelie waited for him.

Karmen’s brows knit together. "What exactly happened?" he asked, turning toward Casaio.

"Another truth came out tonight," Casaio said grimly. His eyes flicked toward the staircase, watching as Zilia finally appeared. The moment she reached close to her, he took her hand, and the two quietly retreated to their room.

"I’ll come by in the morning," Karmen said at last. Albus, who had been lingering nearby, simply nodded before slipping into the kitchen in silence.

Upstairs, Gabriel entered his room to find Amelie already awake, struggling to rise from the bed. Before she could move further, he sank to his knees beside her, clasping her hand tightly and bowing his head as if the weight of his turmoil had finally broken through his defenses.

"Forgive me for leaving like that," he whispered in a rough voice.

Amelie’s expression softened. She lifted her free hand, smoothing it gently over his head. "Gabriel..."

He raised his gaze to meet hers, his eyes burning with fury and regret. "Did I frighten you?"

"No," Amelie replied at once, shaking her head. "I was scared for you. You left so suddenly."

Gabriel exhaled heavily, his grip tightening around her hand. "I didn’t want to act rashly... to do something I might regret later. My rage was blinding, Amelie. Even now, I’m furious, but at least my mind is steady."

Her lips curved in the faintest smile, though her eyes still searched his face with concern. "Will you stay on your knees forever?" she teased softly, gesturing for him to sit beside her instead.

Gabriel shifted onto the bed beside her, but his grip on Amelie’s hands remained unyielding, as though letting go meant losing her.

"Your mother wouldn’t have let me come to harm I believe that," Amelie said gently.

His jaw tightened. "Don’t," he muttered. "Don’t speak for her. I’ll lose my sanity if you defend her after everything, after the way she treated you."

Amelie’s gaze softened, but her words were steady. "And my mother was any better? Do you think forgiving her was easy?" She let out a slow breath, her eyes dropping for a moment before meeting his again.

"The day after I ran away, I called home. I still remember her words... the way they cut me. Moving on wasn’t simple, Gabriel. I forced myself to because if I didn’t, I would have lived chained to that pain forever."

Her fingers curled around his, squeezing with strength. "Even now, though she shows me love, there’s a part of me that still aches with what she did. Some wounds never really heal."

Gabriel’s eyes flickered as he totally understood what she meant.

"As for your mother," Amelie continued, her tone measured, "she’s harsh and cruel even, in her approach. But look closer, Gabriel. Everything she’s done, however brutal, has been for you. She tried to keep us apart because of the curses. You heard Carlos, and even his grandmother, what they told us those curses could bring. Think of it from your mother side, too. And I’m not defending that what your mother did was right. She simply never revealed her love for you. Maybe when we become a parent, we happen to do anything for our child."

"I won’t ever forgive her, Amelie," Gabriel said firmly, his voice like stone. "That’s my final decision. She made her choice long ago, and I’ll treat her the way she treated me by ignoring her. That’s how I grew up in that palace, and that’s how it will remain."

"Sure," Amelie replied.

He exhaled slowly, lowering his head until his forehead came to rest on her shoulder. One of his hands slid to her rounded belly, the faintest smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I have you. I have Noa. That’s all the family I’ll ever need. Nothing else matters. Two more months, and this curse will end forever."

Amelie hummed softly in response, resting her cheek against his hair in reassurance.

"It’s time for dinner," Gabriel murmured, finally pulling back. But his gaze faltered, narrowing slightly as he noticed the absence around her neck. "Where’s the pendant? Did you take it off?"

"Grandma asked for it," Amelie explained. "She wanted to study it after what your mother told us. She promised she’ll return it in the morning."

Gabriel frowned but gave a small nod. "Alright."

Her lips curved with a touch of amusement, though her tone carried a deeper meaning. "You know, you trust that pendant because it came from your mother. Which means... somewhere in your heart, Gabriel, you still respect her. Maybe, even love her."

"Don’t even ask," Gabriel muttered, shaking his head. "I don’t know why I trust that pendant so much." His fingers flexed restlessly against his knee before he sighed. "I should freshen up. Then we’ll have dinner."

"With everyone outside," Amelie reminded softly. "Your father is here too. It wouldn’t look right if we dined separately."

"You’re right." Gabriel rose from her side, casting her a lingering glance before heading toward the washroom. "I’ll be back in a few minutes."

With that, he disappeared inside, leaving Amelie staring after him, her hand drifting absently to her belly as her thoughts lingered on his words.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed and she picked it up.

"Kate!" Amelie exclaimed as she quickly answered her call.

"Amelie, will you just listen to me?" Katelyn said from the other side.

"Yes. But what happened? You sound low," Amelie said.

"I like Karmen. Do you think he will give me a chance this time?" Katelyn asked her.

"I-I don’t know, Kate. You talked to him last time. His response was harsh. Do you think this time his response will change?"

"It won’t," Katelyn replied. "But I think if I use the authority of being a princess, Karmen can become mine."

"Don’t do that, Kate. Love can’t be forced. You’ve to know first what is in Karmen’s heart. In fact, you already know. But if you’re serious about him, then make efforts. That’s all I can suggest," Amelie stated.