207 Gabriel’s Home Olivia’s POV

The drive to Gabriel’s home was tense. My fingers tapped restlessly on my lap as doubt crept into my mind. Was I really doing the right thing? A part of me wanted to tell the driver to stop so I could jump out and run, but I shook the thought away. Gabriel seemed like a kind man, and besides, I wouldn’t be staying long – just a week at most.

I glanced down at the bracelet around my wrist and swallowed hard. It had been thoughtful of them to give it to me. And somehow, it made me wonder if I’d ever see them again. How strange life was. Those men were my entire world growing up. I couldn’t imagine life without them, and yet here I was… leaving them behind.

The loud sound of the gate opening pulled me from my thoughts. I looked ahead as the car drove into the compound. I had been here once before, so the place wasn’t new, but what surprised me was the scene waiting for me.

Alpha Gabriel was standing by the entrance, smiling proudly like he had been waiting for me all day. Beside him stood several house staff in neat uniforms, lined up as if they were welcoming someone important.

My stomach flipped.

The car came to a stop, and one of the guards opened the door for me. I stepped out slowly, steadying my breath. The moment my feet touched the ground, Gabriel’s eyes met mine. He flashed a wide, genuine smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. I couldn’t help but smile back.

He walked toward me and pulled me into a warm hug. His embrace was kind and reassuring, but it didn’t make me feel the way the triplets' arms did. It wasn’t the same kind of comfort or protection – but it was still nice.

“You’re finally here,” Gabriel said, sounding truly happy.

I returned the hug, and when we pulled apart, he kissed my forehead gently. “You being here is a dream come true,” he said sincerely.

For a brief second, the tension in my chest loosened. Maybe… just maybe, this won’t be so bad after all.

But just as I started to feel a little more at ease, I noticed movement by the entrance of the mansion. Someone was being wheeled out through the doorway.

My eyes locked on the figure.

A young lady.

She looked so familiar, yet I couldn’t place her at first. She had a striking resemblance to Gabriel – same sharp cheekbones, same deep eyes. Her hair was wavy black, cascading neatly over her shoulders. She was dressed simply but elegantly, sitting in a wheelchair being pushed by a maid.

I stared, confused. Where have I seen her before?

Then it clicked.

The portrait.

When I first visited this house, there had been a large family portrait in the hallway. In it, Gabriel had stood with a girl beside him – on her feet. She looked younger in the picture, but there was no doubt… it was her.

But why was she in a wheelchair now?

Gabriel’s expression shifted slightly as he followed my gaze. His smile became awkward, and he cleared his throat.

“That’s Abigail,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “My twin sister.”

Abigail’s eyes locked onto mine the moment he said her name. Her expression hardened immediately. Her gaze was cold… sharp… hateful.

I swallowed hard.

Without a word, she turned to Gabriel, still glaring at me.

“Brother,” she said, her voice sharp, “can we have a word?”

Without waiting for his answer, she gestured to the maid, who nodded and wheeled her away down the hallway.

Something told me that whatever peace I thought I’d find here… might not come so easily because it seemed his sister didn’t like my visit.

Gabriel watched his sister disappear down the hallway, his lips pressed into a tight line. When I turned to face him, he managed a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His mood had clearly shifted.

“It seems your sister isn’t pleased with me being here,” I said quietly.

He looked at me and quickly shook his head. “No, no… it’s not like that,” he said, though I could hear the uncertainty in his tone. “Abigail… she’s just been that way since the accident. She’s not really herself anymore. She’s a bit… guarded now, hostile to almost everyone. Please don’t take it personally.”

I gave a small nod, though something about her reaction didn’t feel like general coldness. It felt targeted – like she didn’t just dislike people, she disliked me.

Gabriel clapped his hands gently, calling for the maids. Two young women dressed in clean uniforms came forward and bowed slightly.

“These are Dalia and Miren,” Gabriel introduced. “They’ll be your personal maids during your stay. They’ll take you to your room and help you settle in. I’ll come find you shortly, alright?”

I nodded, offering him a small smile as the maids gestured for me to follow.

The hallway was quiet as we walked, the soft sound of our footsteps echoing through the large house. The place hadn’t changed much since I last visited – still grand, still a little too big to feel truly warm. But the room they led me to was beautiful.

It had a cozy charm. A large canopy bed stood in the center, neatly made with soft cream and gold bedding. There was a couch by the window, a shelf filled with books, and a vanity already prepared with fresh flowers. Everything looked so well put together, like someone had taken their time to make me feel welcome.

“Wow… this is beautiful,” I whispered, running my hand along the polished dresser.

“Thank you, my lady,” one of the maids said with a polite smile. “I’m Dalia, and this is Miren. We’ll be attending to you during your stay here. If you need anything – anything at all – just call.”

I turned to face them properly. “Thank you. I’m Olivia.”

They both bowed slightly. “It’s a pleasure, Lady Olivia.”

There was a short silence before I spoke again, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“Do you think… Lady Abigail would come around? I’d really like to get to know her, maybe even be her friend if she lets me.”

Dalia and Miren exchanged a glance before Miren spoke, a confused look on her face.

“Lady Abigail’s attitude today was very surprising,” she said softly. “Lady Abigail is usually very warm and friendly. She treats the staff kindly, never raises her voice, and she always smiles when guests arrive.”

Dalia nodded. “Yes, honestly… we thought she would be happy to see you. She’s never reacted that way, even to strangers.”

Their words made me pause.

Gabriel had said she was hostile to everyone since her accident, but now the maids were telling me the opposite: that she was kind and friendly, except to me.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, trying to piece it together.

“Maybe… maybe she just had a bad day,” I murmured to myself. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Abigail’s hatred wasn’t random.

It felt personal.

But why?