Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Gemma’s heart tightened at his words. She bit her lip and murmured weakly, “Corey, how can you use such language?”
Corey leveled her with a piercing stare. “If he comes back, will you finally start taking care of yourself?”
Gemma turned her face away, her voice quiet but firm. “I’ve just lost my appetite lately. It has nothing to do with him.”
But deep down, Gemma couldn’t stop the thoughts from creeping in. After being gone for so long, Pierre had probably reconciled with his ex-girlfriend by now. She couldn’t bring herself to break apart a couple that seemed destined to be together.
After two days in the hospital, Gemma insisted on going home. Corey came to pick her up, but instead of driving back to the villa, they arrived at a private music concert. The venue was empty. On the stage stood a single, elegant piano, bathed in soft light.
Gemma’s brows furrowed in confusion as her mind wandered. “Corey, are you planning some kind of surprise for me?”
Corey smiled warmly. “Tell me, Gemma, what’s the one gift you want most right now?”
She glanced around the venue, her eyes searching but finding nothing. Her voice dropped as she muttered, “I’ve already told you-I don’t want to see Pierre. Don’t do this.”
Corey stopped smiling. His expression hardened. “You’re overthinking it. He’s not worthy.”
Gemma asked, “Then what are you planning?”
Corey took her hand and guided her to the stage. His voice softened, almost pleading. “It’s been ages since you played the piano for me. Will you play something today, just for me?”
Gemma glanced at him, her emotions welling up. After a brief hesitation, she nodded and settled at the exquisite piano before her.
Her fingers brushed against the smooth keys, and as she pressed the first note, a soft beam of light illuminated her.
The melodious sound of the piano filled the silent hall.
Corey watched her play, his eyes lingering on her serene expression before he quietly turned and walked off the stage.
In the dimly lit audience, Pierre sat alone. He had come here on Corey’s orders, dressed sharply for the occasion. But even his crisp attire couldn’t mask the weariness etched across his face.
Corey’s voice broke the quiet, cold and commanding. “I’m giving you a chance, but don’t think for a second that means I’ve forgiven you. If you want to win her back, you’ll have to pay the price. Do you understand?”
Pierre replied, his hoarse voice laced with a faint, lingering tone of false respect, “Mr. Hampton, please, be clear.”
Corey gestured toward the piano where Gemma played. “That piano costs thirty thousand a day to rent. Do you think that’s expensive?”
Pierre didn’t blink. His eyes remained fixed on Gemma, reflecting her image like a fragile masterpiece. “No.” In truth, he believed she deserved even more.
Corey, however, was relentless. His next words landed with the weight of a hammer. “If it’s not expensive, then buy it for her. Gather four million in three days and come find me. That’s the price for winning her back.”
Pierre had a decent salary and savings, but he had already lent all of it to Talia.
Owing to a past debt to Talia, Pierre felt compelled to assist her in her struggles. The money he provided was just enough to help her settle her debts, leave the Moore family, and divorce Nichol. As a result, Pierre had no plans to ask for the money back.
It took only a few seconds for Pierre to agree to Corey’s proposal.
At that moment, Gemma was performing on stage. Unable to pull himself away, Pierre stayed until her performance concluded before he stood to leave. From the stage, Gemma spotted Pierre vanishing just as the curtains closed. She was left in shock. A wave of sadness washed over her heart. Corey appeared before her, obstructing her view. “Don’t shed tears over a man,” he said.
Gemma’s eyes welled up, but she fought hard to suppress her tears.
Pierre understood that making quick money required taking significant risks. His options were stark: commit a crime or risk his life. Thus, he wore his boxing gloves once more and made his way to the underground boxing ring.
The venue was overflowing with the wealthy, featuring not only the ring but also a casino. Pierre signed a high-stakes, risky contract and entered the ring without hesitation.
Standing tall and muscular, Pierre used his skills to his advantage. After two days of intense fighting, he claimed the top prize, though not without sustaining serious injuries that nearly cost him his life.
Without allowing himself a moment to recover, Pierre approached the arena’s owner to claim his prize.
The owner, a striking woman with vivid red lips, flung a bag of cash at him silently. Her admiration for Pierre’s skills was matched by her interest in his appearance. “Is four million enough?” she asked, her voice playful as she blew smoke in his face. “Next time you’re low on cash, forget about boxing. It’s not good for you. Just come to me. If you keep me happy, I’ll give you anything you need.”
Pierre ignored her, turning away without a word.
The arena was crowded.
Covered in blood and radiating heat from his muscular physique, Pierre’s formidable presence made people clear a path for him. His mind was set on returning to see Corey.
As Pierre exited the gate, he witnessed two security guards roughly dragging an elderly man and throwing him to the ground.
Despite his pain, the elderly man clung to the guard’s pant leg, pleading for another chance, “Just one more round, please, just one!”
“Get lost!” the guard snapped.
Pierre halted abruptly. He gazed at the elderly man for several moments before realizing it was Talia’s father. He recalled that Talia’s father had undergone kidney transplant surgery earlier in the year. What was he doing at a casino? Confused but cautious, Pierre opted to leave swiftly without intervening, as he needed to gather more information first.
Pierre completed the purchase of the expensive piano from Corey.
Observing Pierre, covered in wounds and struggling to stand, Corey couldn’t hide his gratification. He demanded that Pierre make a personal apology.
After Pierre’s departure, Corey’s secretary entered, presenting him with a file. “Mr. Hampton, we’ve compiled everything on Talia Blakely,” she announced.
Corey peeked at the file casually. When his eyes caught the mention of Terriland, suspicion creased his forehead. He suddenly remembered that Pierre had also visited Terriland.
Back then, Pierre had said it was a business trip organized by his former company, and everything seemed fine. But now, with Talia in the picture, something didn’t feel right.
Corey remembered only those with whom he had transactions. It became apparent he needed to meet Talia himself to uncover the full story.
Pierre freshened up before setting off to see Gemma. Initially, he was given the cold shoulder, but he patiently waited until Gemma’s demeanor softened and she allowed him inside.
Upon seeing his battered face, Gemma’s anger melted away. “Did my brother do this to you?” she asked, bewildered.
Pierre shook his head. His gaze was intense as he said, “Miss Hampton, Talia is my former girlfriend. We parted ways long ago. I visited her on Valentine’s Day because Nichol was abusing her, and I stepped in to help her.” Gemma stood frozen, utterly shocked, Gemma stood there, processing the revelation. For nights on end, she had tossed and turned in anger, only to discover now that it had all been a big misunderstanding.
“Why did you keep this from me?” Gemma asked, eyes brimming with tears. “Were you scared of me? Did you think appeasing me was necessary to maintain your job?”
Pierre stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. Reunited after days apart, he felt a profound sense of contentment. “No, I missed you,” he murmured.
Tears broke free from Gemma’s eyes.
Pierre had once wondered whether his affection for Gemma was driven by financial gain or a desire for vengeance. Yet, during their separation, his yearning had clarified his true feelings. He was genuinely fond of her. He desired her presence-simply because she was Gemma.
“Miss Hampton, please forgive me,” Pierre said, his voice rough and strained.
Gemma sniffled, her pout turning into a nod.
Pierre chuckled and leaned into her, his last reserves of energy depleting.
Feeling his weight, Gemma’s cheeks turned pink. “Pierre, you’re heavy,” she said.
Suddenly, Pierre slumped beside her on the sofa. He drifted into a deep, exhausted sleep.
A few days later, Talia’s father was assaulted at the casino, suffering a stomach hemorrhage that landed him in the hospital.
His gambling habit had come to light. He had borrowed millions over several months. Now, Talia was aware of the full extent. Disbelieving, she hurried to the hospital to confront him directly.
But as Talia approached, she unexpectedly encountered Corey, who was already there waiting at the entrance.
Talia was petrified of Corey. She knew his reputation as a feared organ trafficking kingpin in Terriland, a place notorious for its criminal underworld. She also knew that Pierre’s sister had met her end at his hands. Desperate to escape, Talia felt a bodyguard yank her hair, pulling her into the hallway.
Corey loomed over her. “Miss Blakely, have we met before?”
Trembling, Talia replied, “I don’t know you. Please let me go. My father is seriously ill with a stomach hemorrhage, and his life hangs in the balance. I beg you, release me.”
Corey sneered. “He’ll survive. He might even return to the poker table soon.”
Stunned, Talia looked up. “How do you know about-?”
“Who do you think revealed his gambling problem?” Corey cut in. “And how else would our paths have crossed so quickly?”
Corey was a man of few words and went straight to the point. “I’ll settle your father’s debts, but first, you must tell me about your time in Terriland and why you fear me so. There are things about Pierre you’re hiding, aren’t there?”
Talia’s complexion turned ashen. Panicking, she scrambled up the stairs, screaming for help.
Irritated, Corey commanded his men to silence her. He pulled out his phone. “If you won’t talk, maybe Pierre will.”
He dialed Pierre’s number, his voice menacing. “He loved you deeply once and would hate to see you suffer.”
Talia’s eyes widened in terror. She shook her head vehemently and collapsed before Corey, pleading for him to end the call. Corey crouched down, waiting for her to break her silence.
Suddenly, Talia felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen and saw blood. She collapsed, overcome with despair for the child she might be losing. She had endured Nichol’s brutality to protect her father, who was battling kidney failure. But she never anticipated that her father would turn into her nightmare-a leech. Pierre had given her all his savings, hoping it would free her from her dire circumstances, only to lead her deeper into torment.
Exhausted and in agony, Talia let out a mocking laugh. Clutching her stomach, she struggled to her feet. She whispered, her voice weak, “Mr. Hampton, may I have some time to see my father? After that, I promise to tell you everything.”
Corey noticed her blood-soaked pants, which inexplicably reminded him of Alicia’s miscarriage, stirring an unusual emotion within him. “Go ahead,” he said, his voice unexpectedly gentle.
After Talia left, Corey instructed one of his men to contact Pierre. He suspected Pierre was more than he appeared and was eager to settle matters today.
Pierre was in Gemma’s comforting arms when he received the call.
Since Pierre had been exhausted from boxing, Gemma had taken care of him for the last two days. By the third day, he had fully recovered. They had spent much of that time intertwined in bed, reconnecting deeply.
This call interrupted their bliss.
Gemma playfully said, “Don’t worry. Go ahead. It might be something urgent from my brother. I’ll make soup for us tonight.”
Pierre responded, “No need. I’ll pick up some groceries later and cook for us.”
“Alright,” she agreed.
As Pierre left, he felt as though he was living a dream. For three days, he hadn’t left Gemma’s side, cherishing her like a newfound treasure he couldn’t bear to lose. He had momentarily forgotten his purpose, forgotten she was Corey’s sister, and wished only to remain with her indefinitely.
Upon reaching the hospital, the bustling crowd snapped Pierre back to reality. People were pointing toward the rooftop of the inpatient building.