Chapter 17

I had just settled into the coffee shop when Gabrielle arrived. "Have you been waiting long?" she asked. "No, I just got here," I replied. Gabrielle studied me for a few seconds, her expression suggesting indecision. "If you have something to say, just say it. We don't need to dance around each other," I urged.

She sighed, a worried look on her face. "When I went to the office this morning to take time off, HR told me Alicia is starting at Millenia." The reason for her hesitation became clear. Because of Alicia, my marriage had been a source of ridicule for years. Jonathan's immediate rescue of Alicia when we fell into the pool had made me the subject of much gossip. Alicia joining Millenia felt like a fresh insult.

"Gabrielle, you don't need to keep tabs on them," I said lightly. But her concern remained. "Can you handle Jonathan doing this?" she asked. I chuckled wryly. "And if I can't? Millenia isn't my company. I don't make the decisions."

"You're remarkably accepting of this…" she commented.

"It's all I can do. At this point, I just want a divorce."

Gabrielle sighed and took my hand, misinterpreting my composure as sadness. "Stop looking at me like I'm pitiful," I blurted. "Once I'm divorced, I can start a new life!"

She nodded, but her concern lingered. I changed the subject. "Oh, right. Do you know Frederick Guzman? He saved me when I fell in the pool."

"You don't remember him?" she asked, surprised. Leaning closer, her brow furrowed, she said, "Elise, do you need to go to the hospital? I'm seriously worried."

I glanced around before whispering, "Gabrielle, honestly… I have amnesia." Perhaps my earlier absurd questions—like how Jonathan and I knew each other—had prepared her for this revelation. "I thought your brain was waterlogged!" she exclaimed, nodding. "Everything makes sense now. No wonder you're asking for a divorce."

Curious, I asked, "Did I really love him that much?"

She pursed her lips, reluctant to revisit my past humiliations. "It wasn't just love. You were obsessed. I'd never seen you so fanatical! Frederick was a friend; he even pursued you, but you rejected him. Then you met Jonathan, married him quickly, and cut off contact with other men," she explained, rolling her eyes. "Of course, Jonathan didn't like you hanging out with me, so we had a falling out, too."

Feeling apologetic, I mumbled, "I'm sorry."

Gabrielle stared indignantly. "Even with your amnesia, I have to ask—was Jonathan really that much more important than me? I can forgive you prioritizing love over friendship, but did you have to completely erase me from your life?"

I fell silent before answering, "I can't answer that. Eighteen-year-old me would never abandon Gabrielle Harrison for anyone."

She moved her lips but remained silent. Finally, she grumbled, "Fine. I forgive you this time, but don't pull that stunt again." We smiled. She then quickly contacted Frederick for me. Because she had to return to work, we'd arranged to meet at a coffee shop near Millenia's office. When Frederick arrived, Gabrielle said goodbye and left. He sat down, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I can't believe you dared to ask for a private meeting, Elise." He still possessed that same roguish charm and untamed energy from the day he'd rescued me. "Wasn't threatening Jonathan with divorce enough? Now you're meeting me alone just to annoy him?"