Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 16

Gabriella looked up at him, puzzled. "What?"

Drake thought she might still be upset, hesitant to give him the gift. Fine, he could make the first move.

His voice softened. "Look, I was harsh at the store. Don't be mad."

There. That should do it.

Gabriella sighed, meeting his eyes. "I'm not mad."

"Right," Drake scoffed. "Sure you're not."

"Think what you want."

Drake's patience snapped. "Jesus, Gabriella. I'm trying to apologize here. What more do you want?"

Still folding clothes, Gabriella replied evenly, "I don't need your apology."

Drake stared at her for a long moment.

Finally, he asked awkwardly, "So... where's the gift?"

"What gift?"

"Mason said he saw you buying a watch." Drake shifted. "Isn't that your way of apologizing? I'm here now, so..."

Gabriella started to explain it wasn't for him, but Drake continued, "Come on, stop playing games."

Gabriella laughed, surprising him.

"What's so funny?"

"You are," Gabriella met his gaze. "Yes, I bought a watch. No, it's not for you. And I haven't done anything wrong, so why would I apologize?"

"Not for me? Who's it for then?" Drake's fists clenched unconsciously.

"None of your business," Gabriella replied coolly.

"None of my—I'm your boyfriend! Since when can you buy gifts for other guys?"

Compared to Drake's anger, Gabriella remained remarkably calm.

"Oh? I thought you were Sienna's boyfriend."

"It's not like that with Sienna," Drake said quickly, his voice dropping with guilt.

Their relationship was more like lovers than partners, though he wasn't ready to admit that. Technically, Gabriella was still his girlfriend.

He loved Sienna's passion and flirtation, but he also appreciated Gabriella's beauty and accommodating nature.

He wasn't ready to tell Gabriella about Sienna yet.

"About today at Chaumet—that was my mom's idea. She needed help picking out jewelry to match her new dress. She thinks Sienna has good taste, that's all. We weren't looking at rings for her. I was just letting you think that to make you jealous."

"Jealous?" Gabriella's eyes turned cold. "You actually thought about my feelings?"

"Gabriella, I'm sorry..."

"Apology noted, but not accepted. And no, the gift isn't for you."

"Then who?" Drake's voice rose sharply.

"My fiancé."

"Really? Playing the marriage card?" Drake's tone dripped with derision. "What, I have to propose to get the watch and your forgiveness? Is that it?"

She could take it or leave it. If Drake just wanted to date, fine. She'd needed companionship in a strange city, needed someone's arms around her. That was all.

She'd protected herself well—never even kissed him.

Why hadn't she left earlier?

Because she'd still had feelings for him then, had grown used to his company.

Emotions are complex, rarely black and white.

After that conversation, she'd stopped mentioning her family's wealth.

But discovering she was just Sienna's replacement had killed any remaining interest.

She could accept that Drake didn't love her enough to marry her, but she couldn't accept being Sienna's stand-in.

She was Gabriella Rodriguez. She was herself.

The last person Gabriella expected to see was Caroline Ashcroft.

Caroline swept in wearing a Chanel suit worth more than most people's monthly salary, dripping in Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry. Every inch the Upper East Side matriarch who would indeed coordinate an entire jewelry set for one outfit.

"So you're Gabriella?" She examined Gabriella like a disappointing purchase, her eyes full of disdain.

"Hello, Mrs. Ashcroft," Gabriella replied politely.

"Hmm." Caroline surveyed the penthouse before fixing her gaze on Gabriella. "I've heard all about your little... performance today."

She perched on the edge of the sofa, legs crossed at the ankle, perfectly poised. But her words carried none of that elegance:

"Someone like you could never be an Ashcroft."