Chapter 95

Chapter95 Wesley Owes His Life To Myah's Brother

Gabriela was surprised.

The young woman turned out to be blind.

"Myah, so glad you're here," Loretta said warmly,her face brightening as she hurried over to steady Myah Espinoza by the arm. "I made your favorite hand pie.I hope you enjoy it!"

"I appreciate it, Mrs. Larson," Myah murmured, her tone quiet and unsure. After that brief response, she lapsed into silence.

Loretta and Miriam rushed to place gifts in Myah's hands, holding on as if afraid to let go. Their voices brimmed with worry as they asked after her,their pity clear when they noticed how much weight she'd lost.

They fussed over her with the tenderness of doting grandmothers.

For once, Brenden set aside his usual playful manner and greeted her earnestly. "Long time no see, Myah."

Wesley stepped forward with an unexpectedly gentle air, his tone low and careful. "Delia mentioned that you were sick a few days ago. Are you feeling any better now?"

The maid trailing behind, Delia Pope, quíckly answered,"Miss Espinoza has recovered now. Please don't worry sir. I'll make sure to take good care of her from here on."

Myah's brows pinched faintly, the formal tone clearly unsettling her.

Yet the moment Wesley's presence drew near, her tension eased, and she breathed out softly, "Wesley."

He reached out with an easy smile, ruffling her hair in a gentle pat. "Now that Myah's here, let's sit down to eat."

Gabriela,watching from the side,was struck-she had never witnessed Wesley treat anyone with such warmth. The sight only sharpened her cuiosity about Myah.

Still, she reminded herself that she was merely his secretary; prying into his private matters would be reckless.

Myah suddenly turned toward Gabriela, her voice barely above a whisper."Mrs. Larson, are there other guests in the house today?"

The question startled Gabriela. She hadn't uttered a word,yet Myah had somehow sensed her presence despite being unabole to see.

Gabriela quickly responded, "Nice to meet you, Miss Espinoza. I'm Gabriela-Mr. Moss's secretary. During the New Year, I've been lending a hand in the kitchen."

Her explanation came out longer than necessary, as if she worried Myah might misinterpret her presence,which drew a faint crease across Wesley's brow.

When Myah heard her name, her hand faltered, and the color drained slightly from her cheeks.

Her voice sharpened with urgency. "Gabriela? You're from the Haynes family?"

Gabriela blinked. "Yes, that's me."

Myah pressed, her tone tinged with agitation."Don't you know who I am? It's me-Myah."

Wesley stiffened at once, his eyes flicking toward Gabriela.

The rest of the room exchanged puzzled looks.

Gabriela's mind went blank, her voice faltering. "I'm sorry, I don't recall ever meeting you. You must be confusing me with someone else."

At her denial, Myah's expression crumpled. She lowered her head for several seconds before slowly lifting her face again. "My apologies. I thought your voice sounded familiar, but I must have been mistaken.After so many years, it's possible her voice has changed."

The faint disappointment in her expression stirred a trace of sympathy in Gabriela, who quickly offered reassurance. "It's alright."

Myah lapsed into silence again.

Miriam emerged from the kitchen carrying the dishes,her voice brisk as she called everyone to the table.

During the meal, the household's attention remained largely fixed on Myah. She, however, spoke sparingly,maintaining a polite reserve throughout.

When she finally tasted the pumpkin stew,her lips curved faintly. "This stew is wonderful. Mrs. Larson,your cooking seems to get better every year."

Loretta laughed warmly. "Actually, Gabriela prepared it this time. Her touch outshines mine these days."

Myah paused, taken aback. "Gabriela made this?"

Gabriela offered a gentle smie. "Mm-hmm. If you enjoyed it, come by more often andI'll make it again for you." "Thanks, Gabriela," Myah murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, before retreating back into silence.

Once the meal ended, she rose almost at once,insisting she had to be going

Loretta coaxed gently, "Myah, why don't you spend the New Year here at the estate? Your room's already waiting for you."

Myah gave a small shake of her head, her voice quiet but firm. "I appreciate it, but I feel more at ease on my own."

Knowing the weight Myah carried inside,Loretta didn't argue further.

Instead,she carefully packed some food and passed it to Delia, repeating her instructions to watch over Myah with extra care.

Myah reassured Loretta, "Even without Delia, I'm capable of looking after myself. You don't have to keep treating me like I'm helpless."

Loretta, however, couldn't shake her concern. She hovered beside her, walking her to the car.

After Myah settled into the seat, Loretta's face clouded with sadness. She sighed over and over,whispering, "That poor girl..." Wesley also seemed downcast. Once dinner ended, he withdrew straight into the study and stayed there.

Gabriela, meanwhile, found herself intrigued by Myah.

The moment Myah heard her name, she had appeared thrilled.

And yet, Gabriela knew in her heart she had never seen Myah before.

She kept her curiosity tightly reined in, refraining from prying for more information about Myah.

After dinner, she wandered the garden paths, letting the crisp night air and the scent of pine ease the heaviness of her meal, before retreating to her room to rest.

The estate carried a subdued air-no one seemed inclined to stay up and welcome the New Year.

She considered calling Aubrey on video. Her thoughts were interrupted when Miriam slipped inside.

"Gabriela, didn't it stir even a little curiosity in you,seeing Myah here today?" Miriam asked, watching her closely, aware of the feelings Gabriela harbored for Wesley.

Most women might have felt a twinge of jealousy seeing another young woman arrive at the estate and receive such affection from Wesley. Gabriela,however,stayed perfectly composed.

Gabriela gave her head a small shake, signaling she had no interest in gossip.

Even though Gabriela claimed not to be curious,Miriam still worried she might get the wrong idea about Wesley and Myah. Wanting to clear the air, she offered a brief explanation. "Wesley owes his life to Myah's brother."

Her words trailed off into silence, her expression clouded with a wistful melancholy, as if some sad memory had surfaced.

That hint of sorrow drew Gabriela in, and she asked gently, "And what happened to Myah's brother? Why wasn't he here for dinner?"

"He's gone," Miriam answered with a weary sigh, her voice weighted with sorrow. "Such a good boy-but his life ended far too young, barely past twenty.Poor Myah... she and her brother only had each other,and when he passed, she was left utterly alone."

Before his death, Myah's brother had asked Wesley to take care of her.

Wesley had tried to bring Myah into the estate,but no matter how many times he persuaded her, she refused. So he bought her a house in another neighborhood and arranged for several maids to care for her.

Miriam fell silent after that, carefully avoiding any mention of how Myah's brother had died, as if the subject itself carried a shadow no one dared disturb.

Gabriela sensed it wasn't something she should pry into-every family,especially one this powerful, had its share of secrets.

Sometimes ignorance was the safest shield.

When Miriam finally spoke again, she gave Gabriela's hand a gentle pat, her tone quiet but earnest."Mr.Moss is in low spirits today. If you can spare a little time,would you sit with him for a while?"

Gabriela gave a quick nod. "Alright."

Only after agreeing did it dawn on her-what business did a secretary like her have trying to lift his spirits?

Still, since Miriam had asked, Gabriela rose from her seat, warmed a cup of milk, and carried it carefully toward Wesley's study.

The door lingered ajar, the silence behind it heavy.

Inside, Brenden sat with his head bowed like a schoolboy caught in trouble.

As Gabriela approached, Wesley's sharp voice cut through the silence, laced with irritation. "Touch my things without permission again, and you'll regret it."