The Perfect Husband's Secret novel Chapter 51

Chapter 32 

Gabriel 

I sit in the back of the car as Mark drives me home from work. 

You could cut the air with a knife; my heart is heavy and we are both silent. 

How do you tell someone you are about to marry that you have two illegitimate children? 

Ariana is going to be heartbroken. 

I’m heartbroken…but not for the same reason. 

I’ve missed out on so much of my children’s lives, time I can never get back. 

And Violet… 

I get a vision of her at her workplace, her auburn hair, and a face that I knew so well. The 

deep sense of familiarity I got from her, the one person on earth I trusted with my life. 

So evil… And yet, still an ethereal creature. 

My mind is buzzing with a million scenarios, none of them good. 

The car pulls to a stop out the front of my building and we both sit still in the car. 

“Good luck,” Mark says softly, he knows I’m walking into the gallows to hurt the person who 

loves me the most. 

“If I could change it…” I whisper. 

“I know.” 

I drag myself out of the car and take the elevator to my floor, the double doors open and the scent of something delicious instantly fills my senses. 

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My heart sinks and I close my eyes. 

How is this happening? 

I walk into the apartment and put my briefcase in my office and then I find Ariana in the kitchen. I lean on the doorjamb and watch her for a moment. 

She’s doing what she loves, the best damn cook in New York city if you ask me. 

Wearing an apron, she’s putting something in the oven while things are cooking on the 

hotplates, a million things on the go. 

“Hello.” 

She looks up and sees me and smiles. “I didn’t hear you come in.” 

“But I did.” I smile as she kisses me. I see her glass of red wine. 

“Drinking on a school night?” 

“I’m celebrating.” She pours me a glass. 

“What are we celebrating?” 

She passes me my glass of wine and holds hers up to mine. “Thirty–five days until we get 

married.” 

I force a smile and clink my glass with hers. “Something smells delicious. What is my chef 

serving tonight?” 

“We have a kingfish ceviche followed by a ragu with creamy polenta and tiramisu for 

dessert.” 

“How do you have the energy to cook a three–course meal for me every night?” 

“Looking after you is my favorite thing to do.” 

heart sinks. “We need to talk.” 

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She smiles and goes up onto her toes to kiss me. “I know, but first the suits.” She takes me by The hand and leads me to a stool by the kitchen counter where I sit down. “Now, I know that 

you wanted the black…” 

I stare at her as I pretend to listen, but my mind returns to Vee in the bank. Cut the bullshit, Violet. Do you have something to tell me? 

“The tears welled in her eyes, and by the look on her face, I instantly knew it was true. 

The way it put a hole in my heart. 

How could she have done this? How could she have hidden my own children from me for 

six years? My mind returns to us in the shower that night, naked and kissing in each other’s 

arms. 

The level of intimacy that ran between us was like nothing I’ve experienced before or since. 

I grieved for her for years, and to think that… I get a lump in my throat. She had my babies 

the entire time. 

Gabriel?” 

I glance up with no idea what Ariana has been saying. “I’m sorry?” 

“Are you not listening to me at all?” 

“Forgive me, I’m… Busy day.” 

“What did you have to tell me?” she asks. 

She looks up at me with her big brown trusting eyes. 

Tell her. 

“I… 

” 

Do it. 

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hapter 32 

have to go away for work tomorrow.” 

Oh,” she replies. “How long will you be gone?” 

“A few days.” 

“Okay.” She smiles. “Do you want me to come?” 

“No.” I sip my wine. “I’ll be working the whole time,” I lie.