Jane's eyes flickered with indifference as she said, "If he didn't constantly cause trouble and make me angry, I wouldn't need to hit him. And since you care so much about him, why haven't you come home these past few days?"

Gabriel's face clouded with displeasure.

"I stayed away because I didn't want to see you," he replied coldly. "And I've told you before if you don't want him, I'll take him."

"I'll never let you take him!" Jane hissed.

Her face twisted with rage, her eyes burning with hatred as she leered at Gabriel.

She resented him.

If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be so isolated, with no one to rely on. She had chosen him out of love, yet instead of gratitude, he had the audacity to demand a divorce when she needed him most.

If he wouldn't let her have peace, she wouldn't let him have it either.

Gabriel looked at Jane, now consumed by hysteria, and felt only disgust. "Jane, I will take Wilhelm. I won't leave him here to suffer your abuse."

Gabriel didn't hold much affection for Wilhelm, but he was still his son, and he had the means to care for him.

"If you stop bringing up divorce, I'll stop taking my anger out on him. Move back in today, or I'll make you regret it," Jane threatened.

Gabriel's eyes turned icy. "You think you can use Wilhelm to manipulate me?"

"Yes, and what are you going to do about it?" Jane retorted.

Gabriel nodded, his voice steely. "Alright, Jane. Since you're forcing my hand, don't blame me for being ruthless."

He had intended to offer her a settlement after the divorce, but now he decided she wouldn't get a cent.

Jane's confidence faltered under his piercing gaze. Unease crept into her chest as she stood abruptly.noveldrama

"Gabriel, what are you planning to do?" she demanded.

Gabriel ignored her and turned toward Wilhelm, who was cowering in a corner.

"Wil, come here. Daddy's taking you out of here," Gabriel said gently.

"Wilhelm, don't you dare go with him!" Jane shrieked. "If you do, you're no longer my son-I'll consider you dead to me!"

Wilhelm froze at her words, his small body trembling. He stood paralyzed, caught between his parents.

Tears

looked at Gabriel, his voice

Can't you come back?" Caking. "Ded in his eyes as he

"D-Daddy, please don't get

belongs to

Sobs punctuated his plea, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Not long ago, his parents had seemed happy together. Why were they suddenly talking about divorce now?

He remembered a girl in his class whose

wanted her, and she had beine! rents had divorced. Neither

sent

y to another school.

Would his parents abandon him too?

The thought made Wilhelm cry harder, his small body shaking with despair.

"I don't want you to divorce! If you do, neither of you will want me!" he wailed.

Gabriel knelt beside him, his voice soft but firm. "Wil, Daddy won't leave you. You'll live with Daddy, okay?"

Wilhelm shook his head, his sobs intensifying. "No! I want Daddy and Mommy together. I want us to be a family again!"

Gabriel's expression darkened as he tightened his arms around Wilhelm.

After a long silence, he began soothing him.

It took over half an hour before Wilhelm finally calmed down.

a maid to take Wilhelm

After askingbriel turned back to upstal tone sharp. "Did you teach

Jane,

l

Wontent

him to say those things?" belongs to