Gabriel no longer held the air of an untouchable elite. He was merely a man left unloved.
With eyes reddened by emotion, he asked Ashley one final question, "You guarantee that every single word you said is true?"
Ashley, unable to bear seeing him so downtrodden, replied firmly, "I guarantee."
Finally accepting it, Gabriel rose from the ground.
Throughout the ordeal, Ashley had not once asked if he was in pain.
Her concern was for Percy. She checked him for injuries. "Show me where you're hurt."
Unable to bear the sight any longer, Gabriel staggered back to his car and slammed the door shut.
Ignoring the throbbing in his elbow, he started the engine and sped away as quickly as possible.
Once Gabriel had departed, Ashley helped Percy up and escorted him back to her apartment.
She t
