Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 29

The family dinner was strained, with everyone eating in uncomfortable silence.

Having nothing to say to her family, Gabriella retreated to her room early. Spotting the gift box on her desk reminded her she still hadn't given Asher his watch.

She called him.

"Asher? Remember that gift I mentioned? Are you at the estate? I could bring it over."

"I am."

"Perfect. I'll be there shortly."

Meanwhile, at Drake's penthouse...

When Drake and Sienna entered, Rosa looked past them expectantly. "Mr. Ashcroft, isn't Miss Rodriguez with you?"

Drake frowned. "She's not here?"

"She hasn't been home for days, sir. I thought she was with you."

Suddenly uneasy, Drake took the stairs two at a time.

In Gabriella's room, the transformation was stark. Her vanity was stripped bare—no cosmetics, no skincare products. The personal touches that had made the room hers were gone.

He yanked open the closet. Empty.

Every trace of Gabriella had vanished, leaving the room as pristine as before she'd moved in.

Drake's breathing quickened. He shouted down to Rosa: "When did she move her things out?"

The housekeeper flinched at his tone. "The room was empty when I came to clean the next day. I thought you knew..."

Drake's fists clenched as he pulled out his phone. The call wouldn't connect—he'd been blocked.

He immediately called Celine. Gabriella had few friends in New York; Celine had been closest to her.

Celine sounded surprised. "Gabriella? No, I haven't seen her. Let me try messaging her."

A moment later: "She's blocked me too."

Drake froze.

Standing nearby, Sienna had pieced it together. Her heart leaped—Gabriella had actually left.

"Drake... does this mean you've broken up?"

The question stunned him.

Break up?

He hadn't meant that. His words that night—about never wanting to see her again—had been spoken in anger.

Even when she'd blocked him, he'd assumed she was just sulking, waiting for him to apologize.

But emptying her room of every possession? Was that really just a tantrum?

Seeing his troubled expression, Sienna slipped her arm through his. "If you've broken up, let's respect that. We could take a trip, clear your head."

Drake's initial panic had transformed into anger.

Fine. So Gabriella thought she could just walk away from him.

Let's see how long she lasted. Ten days? Two weeks?

Her disappearing act infuriated him. He'd let her stew for a while.

He'd show her that he was perfectly fine without her.

He forced a smile. "A trip sounds good. Where would you like to go?"