Gabrielle's POV:

The next few days passed in a daze.

Ryan came to see me every day, bringing meals and taking me on short walks around the property. He was extremely patient and surprisingly gentle.

There were moments—fleeting, dangerous moments—when I almost believed the illusion he was spinning. Like we had slipped back into the past, back when I was utterly devoted to him.

But deep down, I knew things had changed.

That morning, we were having breakfast ...