Chapter 12

Hugging her knees as she sat on the lounge chair, Vien rested her chin on top of it, releasing a deep sigh. Her gaze lingered on Blair, who was giggling and playing with her cousins. Shutting her eyes, Vien scoffed inwardly. How dare you cry in front of someone? Shame on you, Vien, she chided herself.

"Are you just going to keep sighing all day?" Vera's voice broke through her thoughts.

Vien glanced sideways at her twin, who had settled on the lounge chair beside her. She had come to visit Vera, seeking solace, yet no words seemed ready to escape her lips.

"I don't know what to do with my life anymore," Vien murmured, her voice tinged with self-deprecating humor as her eyes returned to her daughter. "I mean... do I even deserve this life?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Vera asked, stretching her legs out, one crossed over the other.

Vien clicked her tongue. "You know exactly what I mean," she said, a note of frustration in her voice. "Why did you let me come back to Switzerland? After everything I've done... trying to ruin your marriage, meddling in Harriet's life for my own petty revenge. Why would you ask me to return?"

Vera leaned back and sighed, her expression softening. "Because you're my twin, Vien. You're family," she replied simply. "Sure, I have my wife, my kids, but you're my blood. How could I let you struggle in New York when you could be here, where you belong? You're a Briar—you deserve to live a better life."

Vien scoffed. "We're British-American, Vera. We have properties in the States. I could've—"

"But you didn't," Vera interrupted firmly. "And let's not forget, you're still a Swiss citizen. Most of the Briar assets are here. What, did you expect me to keep them all to myself?"

"Wouldn't be the worst idea," Vien shrugged, hugging her knees tighter. "After all, I've only ever made a mess of things. Every time I get involved, I ruin everything."

"Vien," Vera began, her tone firm yet understanding. "Didn't you apologize for those things years ago? I forgave you then. I'm human too—I make mistakes. But I'll tell you this: I won't let you repeat those mistakes, not with me or my family."

"Whatever," Vien muttered, rolling her eyes.

Vera studied her twin carefully. "What's really going on?" she asked, her brows furrowing.

Vien hesitated, swallowing hard. "It's Gabi," she admitted quietly.

"Gabriela?" Vera asked, intrigued. Vien nodded.

"She said she likes me," Vien said, her cheeks flushing as she buried her face against her knees. "She even asked if she could... love me."

Vera chuckled. "And? What did you say?"

"I told her no," Vien replied quickly. "She shouldn't love me, Vera. I'm a mess. I ruin everything I touch. I don't want her to get tangled up in that."

"And what did Gabriela say to that?" Vera pressed.

"She said I wouldn't ruin her. That she was willing to take the chance." Vien's voice faltered, frustration creeping in.

Vera tilted her head, intrigued. "So? What's stopping you?"

Vien let out a shaky breath, sitting up straight and staring at her hands. "I'm a single mother, Vera. A divorced woman." She paused, her voice softening. "Gabi's young. She's only thirty, living her life. Meanwhile, I'm thirty-four, with a past full of mistakes."

"Blair likes her, though," Vien added after a pause. "She keeps asking if I can't just try to like Gabi too, and I don't know what to say to her."

"What's the issue with being thirty-four, divorced, and a single mother?" Vera countered with a laugh. "None of that disqualifies you from finding love."

Vien groaned, resting her forehead on her palm. "You know how I love, Vera. I give everything, and when it all falls apart, I'm the one left broken. I don't think I can take another betrayal. And Blair... she's happy just being Gabi's friend. I don't want to jeopardize that."

"Vien," Vera said softly, leaning closer. "You deserve to be happy, too. Gabriela isn't asking you to rush into anything. She's asking for a chance, and you owe it to yourself to give love another try. If it doesn't work, at least you'll know you tried. You might be surprised."

"I am happy," Vien insisted. "I don't need a lover to feel complete. Blair and I are fine on our own."

Vera smirked knowingly. "Of course, you're happy. You're a Briar—we have everything we could want. But happiness is different when you have someone to share it with."

Vien groaned again, rolling her eyes. "Ugh, has married life turned you into a hopeless romantic?"

"Absolutely," Vera teased, raising her glass of wine with a grin. "And it's great. You should try it."

Sitting on the concrete planter box outside her house, Gabriela let out a heavy sigh, trying to calm herself. She chuckled bitterly as she stared at her phone screen. Another unanswered call, huh? The thought made her laugh again, the bitterness settling deeper this time.

She stood and was about to open the gate when the soft honk of a car caught her attention. Turning her head, she froze. A satin quantum silver Aston Martin DB12 Volante had just pulled up across the street from her house. Her brows furrowed as recognition dawned.

"Gabi!" Blair's cheerful voice rang out as the passenger window rolled down, and the little girl waved enthusiastically.

Gabriela managed a smile and waved back.

"Wait up, Gabi!" Blair called again, still waving. Gabriela straightened, watching as Vien stepped out from the driver's seat, their personal bodyguard already moving to open the garage gate. Vien strolled around to the passenger side and opened the door for Blair.

Gabriela tilted her head, curious. Blair waved at her again as Vien closed the door and handed the car keys to the bodyguard. With Blair's small hand in hers, Vien glanced left and right before guiding her daughter across the street.

Clearing her throat, Gabriela tried to maintain her composure.

"Good evening, Gabi!" Blair greeted her brightly, throwing her arms around Gabriela's leg in an affectionate hug.

"Good evening, Blair," Gabriela replied, crouching down to pat the girl's head with a soft smile.

Blair frowned, her little finger pointing at Gabriela's face. "What happened, Gabi?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Gabriela touched the bandage on her cheek and chuckled lightly. "Oh, this? Just a little scratch," she said, downplaying it with a smile.

"Did you see a doctor for that?" Vien asked, her tone flat and unamused as she gave Gabriela a pointed look.

Rubbing the back of her neck, Gabriela laughed nervously. "Not yet," she admitted.

Vien raised an eyebrow, clearly ready to reprimand her, but Gabriela waved her hands to cut her off. "I'll have it checked tomorrow. I've got my therapy appointment scheduled too, so..." She trailed off with a shrug.

Blair pouted, puffing out her cheeks. "You're not taking care of yourself, Gabi," she said with a huff. "Just like Mommy!"

"Blair," Vien chided gently, giving her daughter a warning glance.

Gabriela chuckled at the exchange before looking up—and immediately regretted it. Vien's piercing steel-blue eyes were locked on her, and Gabriela felt her face flush. She quickly diverted her attention back to Blair. "Did you go to the park today?" she asked, desperate to steady her nerves.

Blair shook her head with a grin. "We visited Aunt Vera's house, didn't we, Mommy?" she giggled, looking up at Vien for confirmation.

"Yes," Vien replied, exhaling a soft sigh.

"That sounds nice," Gabriela said with a smile. "But it's late, Blair. Shouldn't you be in bed by now?"

Blair nodded quickly. "I saw you outside, so I asked Mommy to stop by for a moment." She beamed, her grin wide and bright. "Goodnight, Gabi!" she said, waving enthusiastically.

"Goodnight, Blair," Gabriela said warmly, playfully patting the girl's cheeks before standing up, ready to bid them farewell.

"Blair, sweetie," Vien called, "go ahead inside first." She scanned the street for oncoming cars before giving Blair the all-clear to cross.

Gabriela watched as Blair giggled and skipped back across the road, waving at them before disappearing inside the gate. She turned back, only to find Vien still standing there, her gaze sharp and unwavering. Gabriela swallowed hard.

"Let's talk," Vien said, her tone firm as she faced Gabriela fully.

"W-what do we need to talk about?" Gabriela stammered, her voice faltering.

Vien scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "You've got the nerve to ask me if you can love me, yet you're stumbling over a simple conversation?" She rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Gabriela's face flushed deeper as she avoided Vien's gaze. "Vien—"

"No, wait." Vien cut her off, taking a step closer. Her voice softened, but her expression was as intense as ever. "You do know I have a daughter, right? That I'm a single mother, divorced, and turning thirty-four this year? Why do you think you can love me?"

Gabriela swallowed, trying to steady herself. "Does that even matter?" she murmured.

"It matters to me," Vien shot back. "If I'm going to risk falling in love again, I need to know if you can handle my past—and my present. I'm a Briar, Gabriela. I come with a messy history and a huge responsibility as a mother. You're young, single, and carefree. What could you possibly see in me that makes you willing to take this chance?"

Gabriela closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steel herself before stepping closer. Gently, she lifted Vien's chin, forcing their eyes to meet. Her pulse quickened under Vien's intense gaze, but she held firm. "I don't care about your messy past, Vien. It doesn't define who you are. I know Blair means the world to you, and I'd never take that away from you. All I want is for you to let me love you. I understand your boundaries, and I respect the responsibilities you carry. But I'm here, ready to share that load—to be there for both you and Blair. You don't have to—"

Vien raised a hand, silencing her. "Do you want to know one of the darkest parts of my past?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Her eyes glistened as she stepped even closer. "Why my marriage ended?"

Gabriela's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you—"

Vien grabbed Gabriela's collar, pulling her down so their faces were inches apart. "Listen carefully," she said, her voice firm but breaking. "Before you decide to entangle your life with mine, know this: I, Vien Briar, had an abortion and a hysterectomy. And it wasn't my choice. My ex-husband decided it for me." Her voice cracked as she let out a bitter laugh, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Do you know what kind of betrayal that is?"