Page 190 of My Unexpected Mate

“You need to eat,” I said. “And you need to talk to your brother. He is freaking out.”

She sighed and nodded, letting me pull her out of the room.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE – Moving On

Gabriel’s POV

“Will you stop pacing around?” Annie sighed. “You are driving me crazy.”

I just couldn’t calm down. I wanted to talk to Aria. Apologize and explain. But I could feel Nate was on edge and nothing good would come of my insisting on staying in the room with them.

So, I went downstairs into the kitchen with the intention of helping Annie with dinner. But I couldn’t focus and ended up almost burning the sauce she was making. She almost threw me out of the kitchen.

“I am just nervous,” I mumbled.

“She is fine,” Annie said. “I am surprised she lasted this long.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my eyes narrowing.

“I would have broken down much, much sooner,” Annie said and turned to look at me. “I am amazed at how she managed to keep it all together.”

She was right. Aria’s whole life turned out to be one big, fat lie. She was in danger. She was scared. And she never complained. She never told us. She had been keeping all of that inside. Until she couldn’t anymore.

“You are right,” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

Annie nodded and turned back, getting the plates out of the cupboard.

“Is dinner ready?” Nick asked, walking into the kitchen with a big smile on his face. “I am starving.”

My eyes immediately went to Aria, who walked in behind him. I let out a relieved breath and ran toward her. I picked her up and wrapped her in a tight hug.

“I am so sorry,” I whispered. “I love you.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck and chuckled.

“It’s okay,” she said.

“Thank Goddess you came downstairs,” Annie said. “He was driving me crazy.”

Aria started wiggling in my arms, and I placed her back on her feet. I cupped her cheeks with my hands and looked her in the eyes.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

“I am,” she said and gave me a small smile.

I kissed her cheek and let go of her.

We walked to the table and sat down.

“Do you need help, Ann?” Aria asked her.

“No,” Annie said and turned around slightly to smile at Aria. “Don’t worry, A. Just relax. I will do everything.”

Aria leaned back in her chair and gave a small smile to Annie. She was not crying anymore, but I could see she was still hurting.

Jacob, Blake, and Cassie walked inside the kitchen.

“Hey, honey,” Cassie said and walked over to Aria. “Are you okay?”

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