Chapter 27

As Vien waved at her daughter, a smile spread across her face. Blair eagerly ran toward her, throwing her arms around her mother as soon as she was close enough.

"Mommy!" Blair exclaimed, her voice full of excitement as she giggled and held on tight.

"Hi, sweetie," Vien said softly, stroking Blair's hair. "How's my baby? How's school? Still fun?" she asked, crouching down to meet her daughter's gaze.

Blair's smile widened, her cheeks flushed with happiness. "It's fun, Mommy!" she said, bouncing with energy. "And guess what? We have a new teacher!"

"Really? What's her name?" Vien asked, smiling as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind Blair's ear.

Before Blair could answer, her attention shifted to someone emerging from the school gate. "There she is, Mommy!" Blair called, waving eagerly. "Teacher Noelle!" she shouted, and the woman smiled in response, walking toward them.

Vien's heart skipped. She gazed at the woman approaching, trying to steady herself. Slowly, she stood, blinking in surprise. "Noelle?" Vien asked, her brow furrowing.

The woman stiffened, locking eyes with Vien. "Wait... Vien? Vien Briar?" Noelle asked, pointing at her. "Wow, it's really you?"

Vien tilted her head, holding Blair's hand lightly. "I didn't know you were back in Switzerland," she said, studying Noelle closely.

Noelle let out a scoff. "Yeah, I just got back. I got an offer from this school, so here I am," she replied nonchalantly, glancing at her watch. Then, she turned her attention to Blair. "Wait, is she yours?" she asked, nodding toward the little girl.

Vien nodded, offering a faint smile. "Yes, she's my daughter," she said quietly.

Noelle's eyes widened with surprise. "Oh? I didn't know you had a husband after we broke up," she said, shrugging casually.

Vien let out a light laugh. "What? You think I'd still be stuck on you? Not a chance," she said, rolling her eyes.

Noelle laughed, her tone light but teasing. "How's life been since we broke up, Vien? I mean, how long were we together? Though I sincerely apologize for everything I did in the past—"

Before Vien could reply, Blair suddenly pulled away and jogged toward someone in the distance.

"Gabi! Wow, you're here!" Blair exclaimed joyfully, her voice full of excitement as she rushed to Gabriela.

Vien's throat tightened as she watched Blair and Gabriela, her gaze shifting between them and Noelle.

"There you are, Gabi," Noelle said, laughing lightly. "Wait, Blair, you know Gabi?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, Teacher! I know Gabi!" Blair said proudly as Gabriela crouched down, pulling Blair into a warm hug.

Noelle turned to Vien, her expression curious. "Vien, do you happen to know my little sister here?" she asked, her tone playful.

Vien's jaw dropped in shock. "Your what?" she stammered, unable to process the revelation.

Noelle smiled mischievously. "Gabriela is my sister," she said. Then, turning to Gabriela, she added with a teasing laugh, "And Gabi, it might surprise you, but Vien here is my ex-girlfriend."

Both Vien and Gabriela froze, their gazes locking in a stunned silence. Gabriela slowly stood, her voice tight with disbelief. "I'm sorry, I must have misheard that, Noelle. Your what?" she asked, her tone uncertain.

Noelle shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, my ex-girlfriend. What? Are you surprised?" she said with a small smirk. "I mean, it's not like you're the only one who can have a girlfriend or something."

Vien swallowed hard, her eyes scanning Gabriela's face. Gabriela's shock was clear, but there was something else in her expression that Vien couldn't quite place. Was it anger? Jealousy? Or something more complicated?

Vien cleared her throat, trying to steady her nerves. "How is she your sister, Noelle?" she asked, her voice still shaky.

Noelle tilted her head with a smile. "Oh, Gabriela's an Ardent. Gabriela Ardent—"

"I'm not an Ardent," Gabriela interrupted firmly. "I dropped that name, Noelle. Remember? I'm Vaega now, not an Ardent," she said, her voice icy. "Can we go now? I'll drop you off at your apartment, and please, don't bother me anymore."

"Bye, bye, Blair!" Gabriela said, flashing the little girl a smile before turning away.

Vien whispered, her voice barely audible, "Gabi..." But Gabriela didn't look back.

Tucking her hands into her coat as she jogged toward her house, Gabriela paused when she saw Vien sitting on the planter box outside. Vien was clutching her coat, and Gabriela's steps slowed as she approached her.

"Vien?" Gabriela glanced around. "Why are you sitting out here? Where's Blair?" she asked, her concern evident.

Vien looked up, abruptly standing up and walking toward Gabriela. "Blair's inside the house, already sleeping," she said, her voice soft. "I just... I waited for you," she mumbled, feeling flustered.

Gabriela tilted her head, her gaze full of concern. "Do you want to come inside? It's cold out here. You shouldn't have waited outside," she said, pulling Vien close to her as she unlocked the gate and ushered her inside, locking it behind them.

Vien bit her lower lip, a wave of guilt washing over her. Why did I even wait for her? she thought to herself, letting out a soft chuckle.

"So, is there anything you need?" Gabriela asked, leading the way inside and closing the door behind her.

Vien hesitated before asking, "Are you mad?"

"Mad? Why would I be—"

"Are you jealous? Or something else? What's going on?" Vien's voice trembled slightly as she studied Gabriela's face, still unable to understand her expression.

"Vien," Gabriela said, gently cupping Vien's cheeks. "Slow down. What are you asking?" Her tone was soothing, trying to calm Vien's nerves.

"It's about Noelle," Vien gulped, her eyes meeting Gabriela's. "She's really your sister? Biologically? Adopted? Or what?"

Gabriela chuckled, leaning in to kiss Vien's forehead. "Yes, she's my eldest sister. Same mother, same father," she shrugged casually.

Vien swallowed hard. "I... I didn't know. I mean—"

"Would you still give me a chance if you'd known?" Gabriela asked, her voice teasing yet sincere. "And how come you were her ex?" She released her hands from Vien's cheeks, her smile playful.

"I told you, our relationship was secret!" Vien exclaimed, closing her eyes in frustration. "And I didn't even know she had a younger sister. She never mentioned it... Wait," Vien paused, narrowing her eyes at Gabriela. "The last time you cried, you went back to your family house?"

Vien's eyes widened slightly. "Don't you dare tell me your sister treats you like—"

"Like I'm a freak?" Gabriela interrupted with a soft laugh. "Well, sort of, but not totally. Sometimes she protects me, sometimes not. I don't know," she said with a shrug. "The last time I tried to call her, she ignored my calls. Then, out of nowhere, she contacts me today, asking me to pick her up and take her to her new apartment."

Vien blinked. "Didn't you bring your car with you?" she asked. "Why were you walking earlier?"

"I didn't bring my car. I took a cab to the station and then used a patrol service to pick her up," Gabriela explained, laughing softly. "I didn't want her to know about my current location or lifestyle."

Vien bit her lip, a deep sigh escaping her. She took another step toward Gabriela. "You're not mad at me, are you?" she asked softly.

Gabriela blinked, surprised. "Is there a reason for me to be mad at you?" she asked, then added with a small smile, "If anything, I was shocked to find out my sister is your ex. Maybe a little jealous, I guess?" She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

Vien couldn't hold back anymore and threw herself into Gabriela's arms, hugging her tightly. "Oh my God, I thought you were mad at me," she mumbled, holding Gabriela close.

"What's this? Afraid you might lose me?" Gabriela teased, laughing softly as she hugged Vien back, her chin resting gently on Vien's head.

"No," Vien replied firmly. "I'm just worried that Blair might lose a friend because of her mommy," she explained, though she didn't pull away from Gabriela's embrace.

"Okay, Vien," Gabriela said with a grin, "Whatever you say." She pulled Vien even closer.

Vien closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of Gabriela's embrace. "Right," she murmured, finally pulling away from the hug. "Since you're not mad, I'll go ahead," she said, turning toward the door. But before she could reach for the knob, Gabriela jogged up to her.

"Vien, wait," Gabriela called, grabbing Vien's hand as she reached for the door.

"What is it?" Vien turned around, only to be met with Gabriela's lips.

Vien gasped in surprise as their lips met. Her knees weakened, and she instinctively held onto Gabriela's shoulder, shutting her eyes as she kissed her back.

Gabriela gently pressed Vien against the door, her hands sliding down to rest on Vien's waist. "Gabi," Vien mumbled, slowly pushing Gabriela away. "What are you doing?" Her face was flushed with color.

Gabriela panted, her breath warm on Vien's neck as she buried her face there. "I love you, Vien," she confessed, her voice low and full of emotion.