Episode 11

The moonlight peeked through the sheer curtains of Lilian’s bedroom, casting soft shadows across the wooden floor. Sitting at the edge of her bed, her fingers nervously traced the fabric of the simple dress she had chosen. She knew it was inappropriate. Leaving the house before dawn to meet a man was not something a lady would do. Yet, here she was, unable to ignore what Gabriel had stirred within her.

His words echoed in her mind: “In the woods. No masks. Just you and me.” The intensity of his gaze, combined with the deep, compelling tone of his voice, had touched her in ways she couldn’t explain. It wasn’t just the invitation or the challenge; it was an unspoken promise, something that made her heart race.

Taking a deep breath, she rose from the bed. Adjusting the light cloak over her shoulders, she carefully opened the door, ensuring she made no sound as she moved through the silent corridors of the mansion. Each step felt louder than usual, but at last, she reached the outside. The cool night air caressed her face as she slipped past the gates of the estate, guided by the memory of where Gabriel had said he would be.

When she reached the woods, her pulse quickened as she spotted Gabriel’s tall, relaxed figure. He sat on a fallen log near the stream that wove through the forest, his elbows resting on his knees, head slightly inclined as if lost in thought. The gentle trickle of the water blended with the stillness of the place, creating an almost unreal atmosphere. The dim morning light highlighted the sharp contours of his face, while the unbuttoned collar of his shirt gave him a casual yet undeniably confident look.

Gabriel lifted his head at the sound of her steps and smiled. “You came.”

“I shouldn’t be here,” Lilian replied, attempting to sound composed, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her uncertainty.

“Probably not,” he agreed, rising to his feet and approaching her. “But you are. And that tells me more than words ever could.”

She lifted her chin, struggling against the warmth spreading across her cheeks. “If you want to talk, say something that makes this risk worth taking.”

Gabriel took another step forward, his smile growing more enticing. “Risk isn’t always something to avoid, Lilian. Sometimes, it’s where the greatest rewards are found.”

She crossed her arms. “And what do you want from me, Gabriel? To trust you? To believe you’re here just to help?”

He hesitated for a moment before answering. “I want you to believe that I’m here because I couldn’t stay away, knowing what you’re facing. I know I didn’t return when I should have, but I never stopped thinking about you, Lilian. Never.”

She looked away, biting her lower lip. She couldn’t ignore the sincerity in his words, but there was still so much she didn’t understand. “I know it wasn’t your choice to leave… but even so, you didn’t come back when you could have. Do you think it’s easy for me to trust you after all that?”

“I don’t think it’s easy,” he replied, his voice low. “But I don’t expect you to trust me immediately. I want to show you that you can. And more importantly, I want you to know that you’re not alone.”

Her eyes met his again, and for a moment, Lilian felt the world around her fade. There was an intensity in his gaze that made her question everything she thought she knew.

Gabriel took another step, closing the space between them until only inches remained. “Lilian, I don’t want you to choose the path they’ve laid out for you. You’re stronger than that. You always have been.”

She took a shaky breath, her heart pounding. “And what if it’s not enough? What if I can’t change what’s already decided?”

He leaned in slightly, his face so close she could feel the warmth of his breath. “You are enough. And if you let me, I will help you fight.”

His words lingered in the air, and before Lilian could respond, Gabriel closed the distance between them. The kiss was gentle, yet filled with emotion, as if he was conveying everything he couldn’t put into words. Lilian felt trapped in that moment, unable to pull away, even though she knew how improper it was.

When they finally parted, Lilian’s breath was uneven, her eyes locked onto his. “I shouldn’t have come,” she murmured, stepping back.

“But you did,” Gabriel replied, his voice firm, though his gaze revealed a vulnerability he couldn’t hide. “And that means more than you’re willing to admit right now.”

Lilian averted her gaze, her heart tightening. “I need time.”

Gabriel nodded, respecting the distance she had placed between them. “Take all the time you need. But remember, Lilian, time is not always on our side.”

She turned and began walking away, her cloak billowing slightly behind her. Each step back toward the mansion felt like it was pulling her away from something she wanted but couldn’t allow herself to embrace. Gabriel remained where he was, watching her disappear into the trees, the sound of her footsteps blending with the murmur of the stream.